Lagos, California establish sister-state partnership

Lagos State and California have formally established a sister-state partnership in technology, creative industries, trade, climate, infrastructure, health and education.

The agreement was signed in Sacramento on Thursday by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and California Assembly member Matt Haney at the Leland Stanford Mansion.

The partnership followed the adoption of Assembly Concurrent Resolution 129 by the California Legislature. The resolution provides a framework for cooperation between Lagos and California in areas including technology and digital innovation, creative and cultural industries, climate and energy, education, trade, infrastructure, health, entrepreneurship and agriculture.

Sanwo-Olu, speaking at the ceremony, said the relationship was built on similarities between Lagos and California, particularly their young populations, technology sectors, creative industries, ports and exposure to climate-related challenges.

He described Lagos as an economic and cultural centre whose young population was driving innovation across Nigeria.

Sanwo-Olu said, “Lagos is a city-state of more than 20 million people, on a coast where the Atlantic meets the lagoon. If she were a country, she would be among the largest economies in Africa.

“She is where Nigeria banks, trades, films, sings and codes. Nollywood is her studio. Afrobeats is her voice, and I gather it has been heard in Los Angeles once or twice.”

Sanwo-Olu also spoke of Lagos’ technology ecosystem, particularly around Yaba, as having produced companies operating across Africa, while the state’s infrastructure and Lekki Port were expanding its economic capacity.

“She has new rail lines under her feet and, at Lekki, the deepest port in Nigeria. And she is not finished,” he said.

Explaining the thinking behind the sister-state agreement, the governor said the relationship was based on recognition of similarities and opportunities for mutual learning.

“When Assembly member Haney and Assembly member Bryan chose Lagos, and when this Legislature passed ACR 129 with votes from both sides of the aisle, they were not doing charity. They were recognising a mirror,” Sanwo-Olu said.

He pointed to parallels between the two economies, saying, “California has Hollywood; Lagos has Nollywood. California has Silicon Valley; Lagos has Yaba. California has the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach; Lagos has Lekki.”

Sanwo-Olu also identified climate change as a shared challenge, noting that California was dealing with fires and droughts while Lagos faced flooding and rising tides.

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“And both of us live in front of an ocean that is changing — you with your fires and your droughts, we with our floods and our rising tides,” he said.

“We have things to teach each other, and things to learn.”

Haney, who said he had previously visited Yaba, said the relationship offered opportunities across several sectors, including fashion, food and culture.

“The possibilities and opportunities are limitless,” he said, while encouraging more people to visit Lagos.

Haney also spoke about his interest in Afrobeats and Nigeria’s young population, saying Lagos and California had much to learn from each other.

The California Assembly had described Lagos and California as centres of innovation, entrepreneurship, culture and creativity, noting that their existing links through Nigerian and Nigerian-American communities could provide a foundation for further cooperation.

Under the partnership, both sides are expected to explore opportunities in technology, clean energy, education, trade, health and the creative economy, among other areas.

The agreement also creates opportunities for businesses, entrepreneurs, artists and innovators in both regions to develop partnerships and access new markets.

The signing was witnessed by Lagos State House of Assembly members Lukmon Olumoh and Kehinde Joseph.

Others present included California Assembly member Isaac Bryan, who co-authored the resolution with Haney, California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin, Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty, business leaders and members of the Nigerian community.

The ceremony featured an Eyo masquerade performance as well as Yoruba music and dance.

Also speaking at the event, Afretrade Chief Executive Officer, Lekan Salaam, recounted his experience of travelling to California as a young man and finding opportunities there, saying his company now works to encourage businesses to invest in Nigeria.