The Lagos State Government has convened a high-level Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Roundtable, reaffirming its commitment to using innovative financing models to bridge Nigeria’s infrastructure gap.
Held under the theme “Powering Subnational Development: The Vital Role of PPPs in Delivering Critical Public Infrastructure,” the event brought together key stakeholders from government, international financial institutions, private sector investors, infrastructure developers, and public policy experts. The Roundtable was organized by the Lagos State Office of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP Lagos) as part of its flagship engagement platform to align public and private efforts towards sustainable development.
Representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Sam Egube, delivered the keynote address, where he emphasized the crucial role PPPs continue to play in executing strategic infrastructure projects across Lagos.
“PPPs allow Lagos to unlock private capital, deploy technical competencies, and leverage operational efficiency from the private sector to deliver world-class infrastructure and critical public services,” Egube stated.
He cited notable milestones already achieved under the THEMES+ Agenda, which has enabled infrastructure delivery in transportation, health, housing, and education through PPP models. Egube stressed that the Lagos State Government is actively shaping a resilient and inclusive economy by embedding PPPs as a core policy strategy.
In her address, Special Adviser to the Governor on PPPs, Ms. Bukola Odoe, stressed that the traditional approach of relying solely on government funding was no longer viable given the state’s rising urban population and growing infrastructure demands.
“The future we envision for Lagos and Nigeria will not be built by government alone. It will require partnerships grounded in trust, governed by transparency, and driven by a shared commitment to the public good,” Odoe asserted.
She called for PPPs to transition from peripheral projects to mainstream development mechanisms, especially in sectors like healthcare, transportation, housing, and energy, which remain critical to long-term economic competitiveness.
The roundtable featured interactive panel discussions on Health, Lands and Housing, and Works and Infrastructure, with participation from public health experts, urban planners, financiers, and infrastructure consultants. Key stakeholders included:
Prof. Akin Abayomi, Lagos Commissioner for Health
Dr. Olukemi Ogunyemi, Special Adviser on Health
Aro Moshood Abiodun, Chair of the Lagos State House Committee on PPPs
Dr. Modupe Elebute-Odunsi, Co-Founder/CEO, Marcelle Ruth
Damilola Aloba, Partner, Strategy and Transactions, Ernst & Young West Africa
The sessions focused on removing regulatory bottlenecks, de-risking infrastructure investments, and scaling bankable projects through innovation and digital tools.
In the health sector, panelists emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration between government and health-tech startups to expand access to primary healthcare using PPP frameworks. On housing, the dialogue centered around land access, affordable mortgage systems, and risk-sharing mechanisms to attract long-term capital.
A recurring theme at the roundtable was the importance of capacity building, investor confidence, and regulatory stability. Stakeholders highlighted the need for standardised PPP contracts, clearer dispute resolution mechanisms, and project pipeline visibility to de-risk investment and attract global capital.
With Lagos projected to be Africa’s most populous city by 2030, the state government’s decision to institutionalise PPPs is seen as timely, given the multibillion-dollar infrastructure financing gap across urban areas.
The Lagos PPP Roundtable reinforces the state’s resolve to modernise infrastructure delivery through public-private collaboration. As Lagos positions itself as West Africa’s economic powerhouse, experts agree that success will depend on how efficiently the state can blend policy vision, private sector innovation, and public trust.
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