By Peter Omopo
Victoria Island, Lagos – July 25, 2025
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and former Governor Babatunde Fashola have praised the Oniru of Iruland, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, for his contribution to urban development discourse as the monarch unveiled his new book, From City to Megacity: A Memoir of Lagos Urbanisation (1999–2023).
The book launch, held at the Oriental Hotel in Victoria Island, brought together dignitaries, policy makers, academics, and traditional leaders. The memoir chronicles the transformation of Lagos over a 24-year period, combining historical insight, governance reflection, and the monarch’s lived experience as a public servant and traditional ruler.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat described the publication as “an impactful legacy” and “a powerful documentation of strategic governance.” He said the book provides a blueprint for addressing the challenges faced by a fast-growing megacity.
“There are three major threats to Lagos: excessive rainfall, rising sea levels, and extreme heat,” Hamzat noted. “This work challenges all of us to safeguard our progress and continue projecting Lagos as a beacon of African urban excellence.”
Former Governor and ex-Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, commended Oba Lawal’s decision to document firsthand experiences from within the corridors of power. “Kabiyesi has written from the vantage point of someone who was in the room, who participated directly in the evolution of modern Lagos,” Fashola said, adding that he would also be making a similar intervention in the coming days through a discussion on Lagos’ journey from island to megacity.
The book’s reviewer, Prof. Taibat Lawanson of the University of Liverpool, described the memoir as a critical resource on urban governance and sustainable development. She noted that it explores key themes including housing, security, agriculture, transportation, and the environment—areas she called the core pillars of any viable governance system.
According to Oba Lawal, the book was inspired by a question posed at a conference: “Is Lagos truly ready for the urban future?” His response was to write a reflective, data-informed, and policy-relevant account of the city’s growth trajectory.
“This is a book for everyone who cares about Lagos—its future, its people, and its possibilities,” Oba Lawal said. “It invites both leaders and citizens to reflect, engage, and act.”
The monarch outlined how the memoir traces Lagos’ evolution from a city plagued by poor infrastructure, traffic gridlock, and inefficient waste management, to a more structured metropolis with initiatives like LAMATA, BRT, LagosHoms, LAWMA reforms, and enhanced security frameworks.
From City to Megacity is both a tribute to Lagos’ progress and a call to action for visionary, inclusive urban planning in the decades ahead.
