Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has received the 2026 Global Transformation and Good Governance Prize in Washington, D.C., United States.
The governor was presented with the award at the Warner Theatre during the 2026 Africa Business Investment Summit organised by the Millennium Excellence Foundation.
Sanwo-Olu announced the recognition in a post on X, saying he accepted the honour on behalf of Lagos residents.
The award also provided an opportunity for the governor to showcase Lagos to potential investors, particularly its infrastructure, expanding economy and business opportunities.
He said African cities would have a major influence on the continent’s investment future, stressing that cities with strong infrastructure, functioning governance and opportunities for businesses would be better positioned to attract global capital.
Sanwo-Olu highlighted Lagos’ economic strength, noting that the state occupies less than 0.5 per cent of Nigeria’s landmass but contributes more than a quarter of the country’s economic output.
He valued the state’s economy at about $259bn and said his administration was pursuing measures to build an economy with less reliance on crude oil revenue.
The governor also pointed to major developments across Lagos, including the Lekki Deep Sea Port, the Lekki Refinery, the Blue Line rail system and the state’s growing technology ecosystem.
He said Lagos’ 2026 budget stood at N4.4tn, with more than half allocated to capital projects, while internally generated revenue was projected to surpass N3tn.
The Millennium Excellence Foundation had earlier announced Sanwo-Olu as the recipient of the award, citing the developmental progress recorded in Lagos under his administration.
The honour is presented under the royal patronage of the Asantehene of Kumasi, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
The Washington event also formed part of Sanwo-Olu’s efforts to attract investment from Nigerians and Africans in the diaspora into Lagos, with emphasis on infrastructure, finance and other investment-ready projects.
The governor further used the occasion to position Lagos as a key hub for investment and economic growth as African cities continue to expand.
