Washington DC, April 15, 2023 – Lagos State Governor, His Excellency Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, recently attended a high-level US-Nigeria Council for Food Security, Trade and Investment (UNSC) event on the sidelines of the World Bank-IMF Spring Meetings at the prestigious Mayflower hotel in Washington DC. The event brought together investors and business people from the United States and Nigeria to discuss opportunities for economic cooperation and investment in Lagos State, the fifth largest economy in Africa and the most populous city on the continent.
In his opening remarks, Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed his pleasure at engaging with existing and potential investors and business people who have the best interests of Nigeria and Lagos State at heart. He highlighted the economic significance of Lagos State, which is not only the crown subnational jewel of the African economy but also the fastest-growing urban center on the continent, with a vibrant and entrepreneurial population, mostly comprised of young people.
Governor Sanwo-Olu acknowledged the important role of the US-Nigeria Council in strengthening economic and commercial ties between the United States and Nigeria. He commended the organization for putting together the event, which demonstrated the value it brings to the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
During his speech, Governor Sanwo-Olu outlined the achievements of his administration in the last four years, which were received with admiration by the investors in attendance. He particularly highlighted accomplishments in infrastructure, food security, and digital technology, which have contributed to the growth and development of Lagos State.

Governor Sanwo-Olu also took the opportunity to engage with existing and potential investors at the event, informing them that Lagos State is the place to be for investments in FinTech, EdTech, Health-Tech, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), Talent Training & Placement, or Physical Infrastructure like Data Centers. He emphasized the immense potential of Lagos State as a hub for innovation and business opportunities, with its strategic location, skilled workforce, and supportive government policies.
The event provided a platform for fruitful discussions between investors and Lagos State officials, with opportunities for networking and exploring potential investment partnerships. Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed his commitment to creating an enabling environment for investment in Lagos State, and his willingness to work with investors to drive economic growth and development in the region.
As the event concluded, Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed his gratitude to the US-Nigeria Council for organizing the event and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening economic ties between Nigeria and the United States. He emphasized that Lagos State is open for business and ready to welcome investors who share the vision of contributing to the economic progress of Nigeria and Lagos State.
The high-level US-Nigeria Council for Food Security, Trade and Investment event in Washington DC was a significant opportunity for Lagos State to showcase its achievements and potential as a thriving economic hub in Africa. Governor Sanwo-Olu’s participation in the event demonstrated his commitment to driving economic growth and development in Lagos State through strategic partnerships with local and international investors. With its favorable business climate and conducive investment environment, Lagos State is poised to continue its upward trajectory as a leading destination for investment and economic opportunities in Africa.