A group of technocrats in Lagos State, known as Lagos Technocrats 4 Hamzat, has advocated for a technocrat to take over as the next governor of the state. According to the group, the next phase of Lagos' development requires leadership that combines political experience with technical competence, institutional understanding, and a clear vision for the future. The group believes that Lagos can no longer be governed through conventional approaches alone, given its rapidly growing population, increasing pressure on infrastructure, and environmental challenges.
The group, led by Dr. Mike Oladunjoye Egbayelo, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos and a national business development expert, has thrown its support behind Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat as the next governor of Lagos. According to Egbayelo, Hamzat represents the type of leadership required for the next phase of Lagos' development, with his experience in government, infrastructure development, and technical expertise. Hamzat has served Lagos at different levels and has had the opportunity to understand the workings of government from the inside.
Egbayelo noted that Hamzat's background in engineering and his experience in public administration give him a strong appreciation of both technical and governance issues. He also possesses institutional knowledge, having worked closely with successive administrations and understanding the development philosophy that has guided Lagos in recent years. The group believes that Hamzat can build on what works, correct what needs improvement, and introduce new ideas where necessary.
Some people may argue that Lagos needs a completely new direction rather than continuity, but Egbayelo disagrees. He noted that continuity does not mean maintaining everything exactly as it is, but rather building on achievements while adapting to new realities. Lagos has made significant progress in areas such as transportation, infrastructure, technology, urban development, healthcare, and economic development, and the next governor should not throw away those gains.
The group has identified several major issues that it expects Hamzat to address if elected governor, including economic development and job creation, infrastructure, technology and artificial intelligence, education and human capital development, environmental sustainability and climate resilience, housing and urban planning, and stronger collaboration between government, businesses, and development partners. The group believes that Hamzat can provide continuity with innovation, making Lagos more productive, inclusive, technologically advanced, and responsive to the needs of ordinary citizens.
Egbayelo also emphasized the importance of technology in the next Lagos administration, noting that it should no longer be treated as an isolated sector but rather as part of the operating system of government. He believes that Lagos should introduce stronger exposure to robotics, artificial intelligence, coding, and digital skills from the basic education level, in age-appropriate ways, to prepare young people for the jobs of the future.
Finally, the group emphasized the need to address youth unemployment and entrepreneurship, treating it as an economic development issue rather than merely a social welfare issue. The group believes that government should create an ecosystem where young people can acquire skills, start businesses, access finance, and connect with markets, supporting MSMEs, vocational training, technology businesses, and other sectors.
Key points
- The group, Lagos Technocrats 4 Hamzat, advocates for a technocrat to be the next governor of Lagos State.
- The group supports Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat as the next governor of Lagos, citing his experience in government, infrastructure development, and technical expertise.
- The group identifies several major issues that it expects the next governor to address, including economic development and job creation, infrastructure, and technology and artificial intelligence.
