Lagos State and California have formalized a sister-state relationship, marking a new chapter in cooperation between the two major economic and cultural centers. The partnership was commemorated at a ceremony held at the historic Leland Stanford Mansion in Sacramento, California, where Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and California Assemblymember Matt Haney signed the agreement. This relationship was established through Assembly Concurrent Resolution 129 (ACR 129), authored by Haney and approved by the California Legislature.
The ceremony was attended by members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, including the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Lukmon Saheed Olumoh, and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Kehinde Joseph. Also present were California Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin, Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty, businessmen, and members of the Nigerian community. The event featured a display of Lagos culture, with an Eyo masquerade performance accompanied by talking drums and Yoruba music by Nkan Eleduwa.
Speaking at the ceremony, Sanwo-Olu drew comparisons between the economies, creative sectors, and technological ecosystems of Lagos and California. He highlighted Lagos' strengths in entertainment, technology, and ports, noting that the city-state has a large population and is a hub for Nigeria's banking, trade, film, and coding industries. Sanwo-Olu emphasized that the partnership was based on similarities between the two regions rather than charity, pointing to their respective strengths in entertainment, technology, ports, and climate-related challenges.
The governor noted that Lagos and California have much to learn from each other, citing their shared challenges related to climate change. He mentioned that Lagos is building new rail lines and has a deep port in Lekki, while California has Hollywood and Silicon Valley. Sanwo-Olu expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, saying that it would provide opportunities for deeper economic, technological, and cultural exchanges between both regions.
Haney, who had previously visited Yaba, said he was enthusiastic about the possibilities created by the relationship. He highlighted opportunities in areas including fashion, food, and culture, and spoke about the connections between the young populations of Lagos and California. Haney noted that the possibilities and opportunities are limitless, and that the partnership could create new opportunities for businesses, entrepreneurs, artists, and innovators in both regions.
The California law establishing the relationship identifies technology and digital innovation, creative and cultural industries, climate and environmental stewardship, education, trade, infrastructure, health, biotechnology, entrepreneurship, and sustainable agriculture as areas for potential collaboration. Afretrade Chief Executive Officer, Lekan Salaam, also spoke at the event, recounting how his journey to California as a young man exposed him to opportunities associated with the American dream.
The Lagos State Government said the partnership would provide opportunities for deeper economic, technological, and cultural exchanges between both regions. The relationship also builds on existing links between Lagos, California, and the Nigerian diaspora. Haney has said that the partnership could create new opportunities for businesses, entrepreneurs, artists, and innovators in both regions, particularly in technology, clean energy, education, trade, health, and the creative economy.
Key points
- The partnership between Lagos State and California was established through Assembly Concurrent Resolution 129 (ACR 129).
- The relationship aims to promote cooperation in areas including technology, innovation, creative industries, climate and environmental matters, education, trade, infrastructure, health, entrepreneurship, and agriculture.
- The partnership is based on similarities between the two regions rather than charity, with a focus on their respective strengths in entertainment, technology, ports, and climate-related challenges.
