Lagos Deepens Grassroots Governance as Sanwo-Olu’s Community Agenda Ignites Statewide Transformation
The 2025 Lagos State Community Day Celebration unfolded this year as a compelling testament to the government’s growing investment in grassroots development, community resilience, and inclusive governance. What began with early December goodwill visits to vulnerable groups evolved into a grand statewide celebration that showcased the strength, unity, and transformative power of Lagos’ community structures.
The activities commenced on December 1, 2025, when officials from the Office of Rural Development embarked on support visits to Lofty Skills Academy in Ijede and the Rehabilitation and Vocational Training Centre in Isheri. Led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Development, Dr. Nurudeen Yekinni Agbaje, the team delivered welfare items such as food supplies, toiletries, and essential household items. Dr. Agbaje emphasized that the initiative, part of the 2025 Annual Community Day build-up, symbolized the state’s continued commitment to enhancing the quality of life in underserved areas. Beneficiaries expressed profound appreciation, describing the intervention as timely and impactful in boosting daily living conditions.
The momentum continued the following morning, December 2, when Alausa came alive with the thrum of an early-morning health walk tagged “From Health to Impact: Deepening Community Resilience.” Hundreds of residents, ministry officials, and community leaders moved energetically through the secretariat’s routes, chanting wellness messages and promoting healthier living. Dr. Agbaje, addressing participants after the walk, underscored the significance of collective wellbeing in driving social progress, especially within rural communities. He encouraged residents across the 57 LGs and LCDAs to unite for the grand finale, which would bring together over 5,000 Community Development Associations (CDAs) drawn from Lagos’ diverse neighborhoods.
That finale, hosted on December 4 at the Police College, Ikeja, quickly became a vibrant tapestry of cultural displays, innovation showcases, community exhibitions, and the unmistakable spirit of communal progress. Presided over by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Kadri Hamzat, who represented Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the event positioned grassroots development at the center of Lagos’ governance model. In his keynote address, Dr. Hamzat described the day not merely as a celebration, but as a renewed call to collective responsibility, community pride, and proactive development in the pursuit of a modern, 21st-century Lagos.
Across the grounds, the achievements of various CDAs demonstrated the impact of self-help initiatives as the backbone of community advancement. Lagoon View CDA in Ijede shone brightly, earning recognition as the second-best rural community in Lagos State. Their accomplishments—including the construction of a pedestrian bridge, installation of solar and standard streetlights, and provision of welfare support for vulnerable residents—became a model for rural development excellence. Their award, a brand-new water supply tricycle, was presented by the First Lady, Dr. Mrs. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who applauded the CDA’s unwavering commitment to collective upliftment. The Executive Chairman of Ijede LCDA, Hon. Motunrayo Gbadebo-Alogba, described the win as a moment of pride for the local council, praising Governor Sanwo-Olu for a development agenda that continues to touch every corner of Lagos.
Equally outstanding was Nitel Estate CDA of Ikorodu, which emerged as the second-best performing community overall and received a brand-new bus in recognition of its extensive self-help projects. From the installation of two 500kVA transformers and solar lights to the grading of roads, construction of drainage systems, and security enhancements, the community’s development journey stood as proof of what is possible when residents take ownership of their environment. Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who presented their award, commended the CDA for exemplifying the essence of community-driven progress. The Ikorodu Local Government Chairman, Prince Adedayo Ladega, celebrated the association for bringing honor to the division, noting that such contributions strengthen local governance and foster communal pride.
As the celebrations progressed, the Lagos State Government reinforced its commitment to grassroots empowerment by awarding ₦1 million each to several high-performing CDAs. Presented by Dr. Agbaje and Permanent Secretary Mrs. Kikelomo Bolarinwa, the cash rewards highlighted the state’s recognition of self-help projects that enhance sanitation, security, water supply, and overall community wellbeing. Additional mobility assets—including buses and water tricycles—were given to select CDAs whose exceptional contributions stood out during the evaluation process. These assets are expected to boost local development efforts, improve access to essential services, and support ongoing community initiatives.
One of the event’s most notable moments came when Governor Sanwo-Olu was honoured with the Merit Award for Best Grassroots Governor by the Lagos State Community Development Advisory Council. Presented by Chairman Alhaji Azeez Amusat, the award recognized the transformative impact of the THEMES Plus Agenda, particularly in rural areas where infrastructure upgrades, electrification projects, and community engagement programs continue to reshape daily life. Dr. Hamzat, receiving the award on behalf of the Governor, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to strengthening community structures and expanding opportunities for local development.
Throughout the celebration, Dr. Agbaje provided updates on the state’s ongoing projects, which include road upgrades across Ibeju-Lekki, Igbogbo Baiyeku, Ijanikin, Oto-Awori, and Ifelodun LCDA, as well as the installation of 69 transformers and 27 solar-powered streetlights over the past year. These interventions, he said, reflect the administration’s dedication to sustaining development in both urban and rural communities.
As the curtains closed on the 2025 Community Day Celebration, one message resonated clearly across Lagos: grassroots governance remains the beating heart of the state’s development vision. From the generosity shown to vulnerable groups to the rewards granted to high-performing CDAs, the week-long activities highlighted a model of governance built on collaboration, community strength, and shared responsibility. With its vast network of 5,000 CDAs, Lagos continues to demonstrate that when communities lead and government supports, sustainable development becomes not just achievable—but inevitable.
