FIC Report (Lagos State) – Lagos State has again positioned itself as a benchmark for subnational governance in Africa after its delegation played a leading role at the African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development “AUDA-NEPAD” Nigeria Subnational Alignment Meeting held in Kigali, Rwanda.
The high-level gathering, organised in partnership with the House of Representatives Committee on Cooperation and Integration in Africa, convened federal and state actors to harmonise Nigeria’s development plans with the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Representing Lagos State were Mrs. Oluwatoyin Atanda-Rufai, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Establishments and Training and Lagos State Coordinator for AUDA-NEPAD, and Mrs. Afsat Lawal, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer from the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget.
Speaking at the meeting, Atanda-Rufai said Lagos’ participation was aimed at showing how state-level planning can drive continental goals.
“Lagos State continues to prove that robust, long-term planning and disciplined execution are the keys to sustainable development. Our T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda and the Lagos State Development Plan 2052 are practical examples of how subnationals can align with the AU’s vision,”she stated.
She added that the state was working closely with the Committee Chairman, Hon. Chief Dr. Billy Osawari, other State Coordinators, and Commissioners to ensure grassroots priorities feed directly into national and continental frameworks.
“We are here to share lessons and also to learn. Integration works best when what happens at the community level is reflected in continental policy,”she noted.
Also speaking, Mrs. Lawal stressed the importance of data and monitoring in tracking progress.“For any development plan to succeed, you must measure it. Lagos has built systems through the MTSS to ensure we are not just planning, but delivering and evaluating impact,”she said.
The Lagos delegation’s presentation drew attention from delegates across Africa, many of whom expressed interest in studying the state’s governance models.
Observers at the session described Lagos as a template for other subnational governments.
“The state’s ability to align its localised development plans with the broader African Union agenda makes it a model for subnational administration in Africa,”one delegate remarked.
The Kigali meeting ended with a commitment by states to deepen alignment with AUDA-NEPAD priorities, with Lagos cited as a reference point for planning, execution and monitoring.
With this engagement, Lagos State has further reinforced its reputation as a continental leader in governance and an active participant in shaping Africa’s integration and prosperity agenda.
Sourced;
Obaduemu Thaddeaus
ACIO
25/07/2026
