Lagos, California, forge historic Sister-State partnership

Lagos State government has forged a sister-state relationship with the California State Assembly, United States through the Assembly Concurrent Resolution 129 (ACR 129)

The resolution was sponsored by Assembly member,  Matt Haney, and unveiled at the California/Africa Climate and Economic Forum 2026,  establishing one of the most significant Africa–California diplomatic ties in recent history.

At the gathering were government officials, business leaders, and Nigerian diaspora representatives.

Accepting the resolution on behalf of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Office of Diaspora Affairs, ESV Jermaine Sanwo-Olu,

Speaking on the resolution, Jermaine said both Lagos State and the state of California will benefit from the relationship.

"This is more than a ceremonial agreement, it is a structured framework for action across climate resilience, transportation, infrastructure, innovation, and economic development. Both regions have much to gain, and we intend to move quickly."

He noted that the partnership directly supports Governor Sanwo-Olu's THEMES + Agenda, strengthening Lagos' global footprint and creating new channels for sustainable growth.

It will position Lagos as a globally connected city open to trade, innovation, and shared solutions to global challenges, while also reinforcing Nigeria's expanding role in international cooperation driven increasingly by the ambition and influence of its diaspora community worldwide.

Key stakeholders in the partnership are the Lagos and Nigerian diaspora who will serve  as connectors for investment, knowledge transfer, and long-term trust-building between both regions.

Jermaine thanked California Secretary of Transportation,Toks Omishakin  for his role in advancing the relationship.

As both regions face shared pressures around climate change, urbanization, and economic transformation, this partnership offers a meaningful model for South-to-North collaboration built on mutual respect and tangible outcomes.

Speaking on the opportunities the partnership would create for both parties, California Transportation Secretary. Toks Omishakin, said it will advance ‘clean mobility, climate innovation, economic growth and cultural exchange between two regions defined by creativity and ambition’

“The Lagos–California Sister-State Resolution builds on the strong partnership Governor Newsom has forged between California and Nigeria and reflects our shared commitment to practical, people-centered progress.

Through deepening ties with Lagos and the leadership of Assemblymember Haney, we are establishing new opportunities to advance clean mobility, climate innovation, economic growth and cultural exchange between two regions defined by creativity and ambition.”