Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed Lagos’ status as a megacity and a leading smart city in Africa, stating that the scale of governance in the state surpasses that of many African nations.
Speaking at the official launch of MyLagosApp on Thursday, Governor Sanwo-Olu, represented by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, stressed the need for technology-driven governance to manage the challenges that come with Lagos’ unending growth.
“What we manage in Lagos is bigger than most countries in Africa,” he stated, noting that beyond GDP comparisons, the volume of services and infrastructure the state oversees requires innovative solutions.
The governor highlighted key urban issues, including waste management and education, stating that Lagos generates “13,000 metric tonnes of waste daily” and has a primary school population equivalent to “84% of a population.”
With the launch of MyLagosApp, the government aims to streamline access to essential city services, from real-time traffic updates and emergency response coordination to utility payments and business listings.
The app, developed in collaboration with MTN and several government agencies, is built as a very important link between residents and public services.
“By strategically harnessing technology, we are not only enhancing governance and improving service delivery but also simplifying and enriching the lives of every resident in this very vibrant state,” Hamzat said.
The MyLagosApp is designed to be an inclusive platform, ensuring that residents across all parts of Lagos—“from people on the mainland to the island—can access government services efficiently.”
The governor urged Lagosians to “embrace this app, download it, use it, explore it, and fully utilize the services it offers,” stressing that innovation is a continuous journey and community involvement is essential to the app’s success.
As part of the state’s digital transformation initiatives, Hamzat also revealed plans to integrate real-time tracking for the newly introduced ‘little buses’ under the state’s transportation system, ensuring commuters can access information on bus routes and schedules.
The deputy governor reiterated the administration’s focus on making Lagos a smarter, more efficient, and inclusive city, serving as a model for urban innovation in Africa.
