By Ayomide Otitoju
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has received the Governor of the Year Award from the National Leadership of Accredited Civil Society Organisations and the Civil Society Organisation on Community Advancement and Humanitarian Empowerment Initiative (CSCHEI).
The award was presented to Sanwo-Olu at the National Civil Society Summit held on October 2, 2026, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.
The summit, themed “Nigeria First,” brought together civil society organisations and other stakeholders to discuss governance, socio-economic development, citizens’ welfare, the rule of law and national unity.
The event was declared open by President Bola Tinubu, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
According to the award committee, Sanwo-Olu was recognised for his leadership in public service, commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and adherence to democratic principles.
The committee said its assessment of the 36 states covered infrastructural development, SDG alignment, rule of law, youth empowerment and enterprise promotion, adding that Lagos recorded notable achievements across the areas.
It cited the Lagos Blue Line rail project, describing it as Africa’s first sub-national electric-powered rail system, and said the project was projected to reduce carbon emissions by about 1.5 million tonnes through a shift from internal combustion vehicles to low-carbon mass transit.
The committee also highlighted the development of an integrated primary and secondary school cluster and the construction of a children’s hospital as projects aligned with the SDGs, particularly in education, health, sustainable cities and climate action.
Sanwo-Olu was represented at the summit by a delegation led by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso. Other members included Special Adviser on Public Relations, Documentation and Repository, Olusegun Fafore; Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy, Titi Oshodi; Chairman of Bariga LCDA, Bukola Omope Adeddeji; and Senior Special Assistant on SDGs, Olusegun Michael Folorunso.
Speaking on behalf of the governor, Fafore dedicated the award to God and the people of Lagos State, describing it as recognition of the administration’s commitment to public service.
“I would like to thank the CSOs across Nigeria, our accountability partners for their contributions to national development and our society at large. This award is for the good people of Lagos State. It is a recognition of our government’s legacy of excellence in public service,” Fafore said.
Earlier, the Director-General of CSCHEI and National Convener of the summit, Ambassador Kunle Yusuff, described the gathering as significant, saying a convergence of civil society organisations on such a scale had not occurred since shortly after the Nigerian Civil War.
Yusuff said the summit, held shortly after Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary, was aimed at deliberating on pathways towards a better Nigeria.
He said the “Nigeria First” theme was not merely a slogan but a call for collective action and thinking focused on protecting the national interest.
