The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has been nominated for the Governor of the Year (Innovation) Award by New Telegraph Publishing Company Limited, publishers of New Telegraph, Saturday Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph Newspapers.

The nomination was formally conveyed in a letter presented at the Governor’s Office in Alausa, Ikeja, recently by representatives of the media organisation led by its Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, Mr Ayodele Aminu. In the letter signed by Aminu, the Board of Editors and Panel of Judges said Sanwo-Olu was selected for his “visionary leadership and bold innovations that are redefining Lagos as a 21st-century city.”

The organisation cited landmark initiatives such as the hosting of Africa’s first E1 all-electric powerboat race, the expansion of solar-powered street lighting, largescale road construction, the Detty December creative economy drive, and the $410 million Omi Eko waterways project as key factors behind the nomination. Reacting, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, said the governor was excited about the award from the national newspaper.

The commissioner described the nomination as a validation of the state’s innovative agenda. “This recognition affirms that Lagos is deliberately building a future anchored on sustainability, creativity and smart governance,” Omotoso added. A civic group, the Lagos Innovation Forum, also welcomed the nomination, saying it reflected policies that directly impact residents.

“From mobility to energy and creative enterprise, Lagosians can feel the difference. This nomination speaks to innovation with human benefits,” the group said in a statement. Similarly, a public affairs analyst, Adedoyin Hassan, noted that the award consideration “positions Lagos as a reference point for subnational innovation in Africa.” Sanwo-Olu is expected to receive the honours at the New Telegraph 2025 Awards Ceremony scheduled for this Friday, at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.