The 19th Lagos State Executive, Legislative Parley has reinforced a citizen-centred approach to governance, with far-reaching resolutions aimed at deepening inclusion, strengthening public engagement and ensuring that development delivers tangible benefits across communities.
Presenting the communiqué at the close of the three-day session, Professor Adéwálé Aderẹmi emphasised that governance in Lagos must move beyond top-down policymaking to a more participatory model that reflects the lived realities of residents.
He noted that inclusive growth can only be achieved when policies are shaped with the input of the people they are designed to serve.
Drawn from the Lagos State Executive Council, National and State Assemblies, Governance Advisory Council, party leadership, local government authorities and senior civil servants, stakeholders agreed on the need for deliberate strategies to identify and support vulnerable populations.
This includes deploying data-driven tools to map disadvantaged groups, conducting community-level needs assessments and institutionalising the co-creation of policies with citizens, particularly those in underserved and marginalised communities.
A major highlight of the parley was the call for a significant upgrade in government communication systems. Participants stressed that public trust and participation are strengthened when citizens are well-informed and actively engaged.
To this end, the parley recommended the expansion of digital platforms for real-time interaction, feedback mechanisms and transparent dissemination of government programmes and policies. It also proposed the introduction of Citizens’ Impact Assessments for major projects, a tool designed to evaluate how government initiatives directly affect communities.
Addressing the human impact of urban development, stakeholders called for a more humane and structured approach to infrastructure expansion and urban renewal.
They advocated fair compensation for affected persons, clear resettlement frameworks and improved communication with lawmakers and communities before demolition exercises are carried out. These measures, they noted, are essential to balancing development goals with social justice.
The parley also underscored the importance of strengthening civic participation as a pillar of inclusive governance. Participants urged intensified voter education and mobilisation efforts, particularly around Continuous Voter Registration, to ensure broader representation in the democratic process.
On economic and infrastructural development, the meeting supported ongoing plans to establish a Lagos airline as a catalyst for economic growth, job creation and improved connectivity.
It also highlighted the need for reforms to the Land Use Act to resolve jurisdictional overlaps and improve land administration, which remains critical to housing delivery and infrastructure planning.
In addition, stakeholders called for a coordinated framework to harmonise federal and state regulatory activities, noting that clearer alignment would reduce bottlenecks and enhance service delivery.
They also advocated non-kinetic approaches to addressing security challenges, emphasising community engagement, intelligence gathering and preventive strategies over force-based responses.
The communiqué further stressed that inclusive governance requires continuous dialogue, transparency and accountability. It recommended sustained engagement between government institutions, political actors and citizens, alongside periodic reviews of policy outcomes to ensure that development objectives are being met.
In his remarks, the Special Adviser on Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, Dr. Tajudeen Afolabi, commended participants for their robust contributions and expressed confidence that the resolutions would translate into measurable improvements in governance and service delivery.
The parley concluded with a shared commitment to building a Lagos where development is not only ambitious but also equitable, participatory and responsive, a state where every citizen has a voice and a stake in the journey toward a Greater Lagos.
