Babajide Sanwo-Olu at 61: Beyond the politics, a chapter of service still unfolding

By: Oluwaseun M. Lawal

Every public official reaches a point where the daily noise begins to fade. The headlines become less about political battles and more about what remains after the applause, the criticism, and the campaigns have all quieted down. That moment is usually when legacy starts speaking louder than office.

For Babajide Sanwo-Olu, turning 61 is one of those moments.

This birthday is different. It is not simply another year added to his life. It is also the last birthday he will celebrate while serving as Governor of Lagos State, making it an appropriate time to pause and reflect. Not on political slogans alone. Not on endless debates. But on the broader story of leadership, public service, and the footprints left behind.

Cities like Lagos are never built in a single administration. That has never happened anywhere in the world. Whether you look at Singapore, Seoul or Dubai, their transformation came through years of consistent planning, multiple governments and leaders who each contributed a piece to a much larger vision. One administration begins a journey, another continues it. That’s how enduring cities are shaped.

Lagos is no exception.

The state existed long before 2019 and will continue evolving long after the present administration leaves office. Still, every governor inherits a responsibility that goes beyond managing today’s problems. The assignment is bigger than balancing budgets or commissioning projects. It is about preparing a city for opportunities that may only become fully visible years later.

That responsibility is enormous in Lagos.

With a population estimated at well over twenty million people and an economy that influences not just Nigeria but much of West Africa, governing Lagos is unlike governing most subnational governments on the continent. The pressure is relentless. Expectations never stop. Every decision affects millions.

Having worked closely with Governor Sanwo-Olu for several years, I have witnessed something that is often hidden from public view. Leadership isn’t only about making announcements or appearing at ceremonies. Sometimes, it’s about carrying the emotional weight of difficult decisions while maintaining calm in moments when panic would have been easier.

Then came COVID-19.

No government anticipated the scale of disruption the pandemic would bring. Around the world, even countries with advanced healthcare systems struggled. Lagos faced its own unique challenge as Africa’s largest city, yet governance could not pause. The focus shifted toward protecting lives, sustaining businesses and strengthening public institutions at a time when uncertainty dominated every conversation.

Those years tested every government. They also revealed which institutions could adapt under pressure.

Beyond the pandemic, the administration continued pursuing projects that were designed with the future in mind rather than immediate political applause. Transportation, for instance, became one of the defining themes of this period. The expansion of rail infrastructure through the Blue and Red Lines, investments in water transportation and continued road construction all point toward one objective: making movement easier in one of Africa’s busiest cities.

For ordinary residents, infrastructure isn’t just concrete and steel. It determines whether parents spend hours in traffic instead of with their families. It affects businesses, productivity and quality of life. Sometimes, a shorter commute changes more than people realize.

Economic development followed a similar pattern.

Through investment initiatives and reforms, Lagos continued positioning itself as an attractive destination for business and long-term capital. Projects such as the operationalisation of the Lekki Deep Sea Port, progress on the Fourth Mainland Bridge and plans surrounding the Lagos International Financial Centre all reflect ambitions that extend beyond a single administration. These are investments whose full impact may only become evident years from now.

Yet perhaps the less visible achievements deserve equal attention.

Strong institutions often outlive politicians. Digital governance reforms, regulatory improvements, investment promotion and administrative strengthening rarely dominate public conversations, but they create systems capable of serving citizens long after elected officials leave office.

The same thinking is reflected in education.

The inauguration of the Tolu Schools Complex in Ajegunle, alongside the establishment of the Lagos State University of Education and the Lagos State University of Science and Technology, signals an understanding that a city’s greatest resource is not its buildings but its people. Roads connect communities, yes. But education creates possibilities that last generations.

Healthcare, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship and innovation have also remained central themes throughout the administration. These investments may not always generate dramatic headlines, yet they contribute steadily to building a more resilient society.

Of course, no government escapes criticism.

Democracy guarantees scrutiny, especially in a politically vibrant state like Lagos. Every administration faces competing expectations, opposing opinions and legitimate questions from citizens. That is healthy. In fact, it should be expected.

Still, history often asks a different question.

Did the city move forward?

For many observers, Lagos continues to expand its infrastructure, strengthen institutions, attract investment and create new opportunities despite significant economic and social challenges. While much work remains, maintaining momentum in a rapidly changing environment is itself a meaningful accomplishment.

Leadership, after all, is rarely measured only by roads commissioned or buildings completed. Its deeper value lies in whether people believe their future can be better than their present. Confidence matters. Hope matters too.

Soon enough, official portraits will come down. Convoys will disappear. Another administration will assume office with fresh priorities and its own vision for Lagos. That is the rhythm of democratic governance.

But cities remember.

They remember administrations that changed direction. They remember leaders who expanded possibilities. And they remember those who understood that political office is temporary, while service leaves a much longer imprint.

As Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu marks his 61st birthday and his final one in office, history has not delivered its final verdict. That responsibility belongs to time. Yet one thing is already becoming clearer: beyond the politics, beyond the daily arguments and public commentary, there is a record of stewardship that has contributed to shaping one of Africa’s most important cities.

In the end, offices come and go. What remains is the difference made in the lives of ordinary people. That, more than titles or ceremonies, is where the true story of leadership is written.