By Ayomide Otitoju
Lagos State and California in the United States have signed a sister state agreement aimed at strengthening collaboration in areas including technology, trade, culture, innovation and economic development.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and California Assemblyman Matt Haney signed the agreement at a ceremony held at the Leland Stanford Mansion in Sacramento, California.
The ceremony was witnessed by Lagos State House of Assembly members Lukmon Saheed Olumoh, Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, and Kehinde Joseph, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, as well as California Assemblyman Isaac Bryan and Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin.
Also present were Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty, business leaders and members of the Nigerian community in California.
The agreement followed a resolution sponsored by Haney and Bryan, which was approved by the California Legislature.
Speaking at the ceremony, Sanwo-Olu highlighted similarities between Lagos and California, particularly in technology, entertainment, trade and infrastructure.
He described Lagos as a major economic and cultural centre with more than 20 million residents, noting the roles of Yaba’s technology ecosystem, Nollywood, Afrobeats and the Lekki Port in the state’s development.
The governor said the partnership would provide opportunities for both sides to exchange knowledge and collaborate on shared challenges.
“California has Hollywood; Lagos has Nollywood. California has Silicon Valley; Lagos has Yaba,” Sanwo-Olu said, adding that both regions could learn from each other in addressing issues including climate-related challenges.
Haney, who previously visited Yaba, said the agreement would create opportunities for collaboration in areas including fashion, food, culture and technology.
He also expressed his interest in Nigerian music and encouraged people in California to visit Lagos, describing the opportunities between the two regions as extensive.
Afretrade Chief Executive Officer, Lekan Salaam, also spoke at the event, recounting his experience of travelling to California as a young man and highlighting the potential for increased investment between Nigeria and the United States.
The ceremony also featured an Eyo masquerade performance and traditional Yoruba music, showcasing Lagos’ cultural heritage.
Lagos, with an estimated gross domestic product of about $259.75 billion, is one of Africa’s largest subnational economies, while California has the largest state economy in the United States.
