Harvard Meets Lagos: Governor Sanwo-Olu’s Global Message

On April 24, 2025, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, delivered a keynote lecture at Harvard Business School (HBS) in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Invited as a guest speaker for Professor Hakeem Belo-Osagie’s renowned “Understanding Africa” course, the governor presented a talk titled “Building the Future: Lagos State’s Infrastructure-Led Transformation.”

It was an opportunity to position Lagos before a global audience as a hub of development, creativity, investment, and innovation.

Purpose of the Visit

Governor Sanwo-Olu’s visit was part of a strategic effort to attract foreign direct investment, share Lagos’s urban transformation journey, and engage with the Nigerian diaspora and global business community. His presentation emphasized infrastructure as the engine for economic growth and painted a compelling picture of Lagos as an emerging megacity with a clear vision for inclusive prosperity (The Guardian, 2025).

Key Highlights from the Lecture

During the lecture, Governor Sanwo-Olu laid out Lagos’s transformation roadmap. The core themes were:

Transportation Infrastructure: The governor discussed the successful launch of the Blue and Red Line metro systems, now serving tens of thousands of commuters. He also unveiled plans for a new Green Line linking Lekki-Epe to Lagos Island and the ongoing construction of a new international airport in the Lekki area (The Nation, 2025).
Housing and Urban Renewal: Sanwo-Olu talked about upgrading informal settlements and increasing access to affordable housing using climate-smart technologies (The Guardian, 2025).
Economic Potential: With a GDP exceeding $259 billion, Sanwo-Olu described Lagos as a “business and commercial powerhouse” with four seaports and a dynamic population of about 25 million people (BusinessDay, 2025).
Investment Climate: The governor encouraged international students and potential investors to consider Lagos as a prime investment location, stressing that the state welcomes innovation and collaboration.
Tourism: Rediscovering Lagos: The governor spotlighted Lagos’s tourism sector, calling it a “sleeping giant” of economic potential. He highlighted recent efforts to revamp historic sites, beaches, arts districts, and event infrastructure to attract both local and international tourists.
Youth Development: Investing in the Future, Governor Sanwo-Olu placed heavy emphasis on youth empowerment, which resonated strongly with Harvard students. He discussed:
1. Tech innovation hubs and digital skill programs.
2. Lagos’s efforts to support startups and creative industries.
3. Educational reforms and partnerships to bridge the gap between academia and industry.

This focus on youth was one of the most applauded parts of his lecture.

Notable Quotes

Here are some standout quotes from Governor Sanwo-Olu’s presentation:

“Lagos is a place where people come in without anything and become somebody. We are a business and commercial powerhouse.” (The Nation, 2025)

“We aim to be a shining example of how infrastructure can drive prosperity across the continent.” (The Guardian, 2025)

“It was an opportunity to share Lagos State’s bold vision and the tangible strides we are making in transportation, housing, innovation, and industrial growth.” (Sanwo-Olu, 2025)

“We are building a new airport on the Lekki-Epe Expressway, and work is set to begin on the Green Line.” (BusinessDay, 2025)

“Lagos is more than business — we’re also a cultural powerhouse. From our music and food to the energy of our streets, Lagos has a unique story to share with the world,” he said (The Guardian, 2025).

“We’re not just building roads; we’re building futures. Our young people are our greatest asset,” the governor said. “We are investing in them because their ideas will shape the Lagos of tomorrow.” (BusinessDay, 2025)

Audience Engagement

The lecture was delivered to a room full of engaged Harvard MBA students, many of whom posed thoughtful questions about infrastructure finance, urban resilience, and youth inclusion.

Sanwo-Olu praised the students' “brilliant and thought-provoking questions,” which he said demonstrated the global relevance of Lagos’s development story (The Guardian, 2025).

Professor Hakeem Belo-Osagie, a distinguished Nigerian investment banker and HBS alumnus, hosted the session and moderated discussions with students.

He invited the diaspora to reconnect with their roots through travel and investment in hospitality, entertainment, and eco-tourism. The message: Lagos is open, vibrant, and ready to welcome the world.

Conclusion: A Strategic Diaspora Moment

Though no formal agreements were signed during the visit, the governor’s presence at Harvard was a strategic win for diaspora diplomacy. It allowed Lagos to broadcast its transformation story to the global academic and business elite while building soft power ties with the next generation of global leaders. For members of the Nigerian diaspora, it reinforced a message of hope, pride, and possibility.