The All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate in Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, has outlined his vision for the future of Lagos, highlighting key policy priorities and practical interventions aimed at improving residents’ quality of life, expanding economic opportunities and strengthening the state’s infrastructure.
Hamzat, who spoke at the Lagos State Governorship Debate, presented his development agenda, focusing on critical sectors including healthcare, housing, transportation, institutional efficiency, security and social inclusion.
He emphasised that leadership must be rooted in an understanding of the needs and expectations of the people, stressing that governance should be measured by its ability to translate policy commitments into tangible improvements in the everyday lives of residents.
According to him, his vision for Lagos is anchored on practical solutions that address the challenges confronting families, businesses and communities while building on the development progress already recorded in the state.
Healthcare: Hamzat Targets One-Third of Lagos Population for Ilera Eko Coverage
Healthcare remains a major priority in Hamzat’s development agenda, as he pledged to expand the coverage of the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme, Ilera Eko, from its current 1.4 million enrollees to reach one in every three Lagos residents.
The proposed expansion, he explained, is aimed at making healthcare more accessible and affordable while reducing the financial burden of medical expenses on individuals and families.
Hamzat also outlined plans to complete major hospital projects, including the Massey Children’s Hospital, as well as the Ojo and Somolu General Hospitals.
He further committed to expanding service capacity across the state’s nine general hospitals and strengthening primary healthcare centres to ensure that residents, particularly those in underserved communities, have improved access to quality medical services.
As part of the proposed healthcare reforms, Hamzat said more primary healthcare centres would operate round the clock, providing residents with greater access to medical attention, including during emergencies and outside regular working hours.
He equally underscored the importance of healthcare workers in delivering an effective health system, noting that improved training, better working conditions and enhanced staff welfare would form an integral part of his administration’s healthcare priorities.
Housing: Hamzat Proposes More Accessible Mortgage System
On housing, the APC governorship candidate highlighted the need to make homeownership more attainable for Lagos families, particularly working-class residents and those who find the upfront cost of acquiring property financially challenging.
Hamzat pledged to complete ongoing government housing estates while introducing a more accessible mortgage financing arrangement that would allow prospective homeowners to spread payments over several years.
The proposed system is intended to ease the financial pressure associated with acquiring homes and provide more residents with a realistic opportunity to become property owners.
He maintained that housing development must go beyond constructing estates to creating sustainable financing arrangements that enable ordinary families to benefit from government housing initiatives.
Transportation: Hamzat Reaffirms Commitment to Blue and Red Line Expansion
Hamzat also reiterated his commitment to sustaining Lagos State’s rail development programme as part of broader efforts to improve public transportation and strengthen connectivity across the state.
He disclosed that the Blue Line would be extended to Okokomaiko, while the Red Line would connect to the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts at the National Theatre.
The proposed extensions, he noted, would further improve access to rail transportation, connect more communities to the state’s mass transit network and provide residents with additional commuting options.
Hamzat stressed that transportation infrastructure must ultimately serve the people by making daily movement easier, improving access to economic centres and supporting the continued growth of Lagos as a major commercial hub.
The Lagos PROMISE: Seven Pillars Guiding Hamzat’s Vision
A major highlight of Hamzat’s presentation at the debate was The Lagos PROMISE, a seven-pillar development framework that encapsulates his vision for governance and the future of Lagos State.
The framework is built around the following principles:
P – People First: Ensuring that the needs, welfare and aspirations of Lagos residents remain at the centre of government policies and decisions.
R – Renewal: Promoting continuous development through infrastructure renewal, urban regeneration and improvements in public services.
O – Opportunity: Expanding access to employment, entrepreneurship, education, economic advancement and affordable housing.
M – The Machinery of Government: Strengthening public institutions, improving administrative efficiency and ensuring effective service delivery through a more responsive government.
I – Inclusion: Creating opportunities for all residents and ensuring that every community and segment of society has a place in the state’s development agenda.
S – Security and Resilience: Strengthening public safety, improving emergency response and building communities that can withstand social, economic and environmental challenges.
E – Everyday Dignity: Improving the daily experiences of residents through accessible public services, decent living conditions, better infrastructure and opportunities for a dignified life.
Hamzat explained that these seven pillars would provide the guiding principles for a governance approach that places people at the heart of development while ensuring that government programmes respond to the realities of everyday life.
Building on Progress, Creating Opportunities for Every Lagosian
Throughout his presentation, Hamzat stressed that the ultimate purpose of government projects and policies must be to improve the lives of residents.
He explained that investments in healthcare, housing and transportation should not be viewed merely as infrastructure projects but as essential interventions that directly affect the welfare, economic stability and opportunities available to families.
From expanding health insurance coverage and strengthening medical facilities to making homeownership more accessible and extending rail transportation, Hamzat’s outlined priorities reflect his focus on addressing some of the major concerns of Lagos residents.
The APC governorship candidate reaffirmed his commitment to listening to Lagosians, consolidating the progress already achieved and pursuing policies that will create a more inclusive and opportunity-driven state.
He maintained that the Lagos PROMISE represents a commitment to people-centred governance, institutional efficiency, infrastructure development and improved living standards.
Hamzat concluded by reiterating his determination to build on existing achievements and work towards a Lagos where residents across different communities have greater access to essential services, economic opportunities and the conditions necessary to live better lives.
His central message at the debate was that the future of Lagos must remain firmly centred on its people, with governance driven by practical solutions, inclusive development and a commitment to improving everyday life.