Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has been officially decorated as the Patron of the Centre for Africa Social and Economic Transformation (CASET), a prestigious research institution situated at the University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol, United Kingdom. The ceremony, held at the university’s campus in Bristol, brought together a cross-section of dignitaries from Nigeria, the UK, and the broader international community.
Governor Sanwo-Olu’s investiture comes as a testament to his dynamic and far-reaching leadership across Lagos State, particularly through the implementation of the THEMES+ development agenda, which underscores his administration’s commitment to social inclusion, gender equity, youth empowerment, and sustainable economic development. His recognition by CASET aligns with the centre’s vision of supporting innovative and inclusive solutions to Africa’s developmental challenges.
A major highlight of the governor’s developmental strides is the EKO Excellence in Child Education and Learning (EKOEXCEL) initiative. The programme, which focuses on boosting literacy and learning outcomes in public primary schools across the state, has recorded significant gains, especially in improving female enrolment and performance in national standardized assessments such as the National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE). This success reflects Lagos State’s proactive approach to bridging the gender gap in education.
Speaking at the high-profile event, Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed his appreciation to the leadership of UWE and the founding team of CASET, which includes Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sir Steven West, and the Centre’s Director, Prof. Paschal Anosike. He described the Centre as a “beacon of bold and bright promise” and pledged Lagos State’s readiness to collaborate with the institution in advancing mutual goals of innovation, entrepreneurship, and socioeconomic transformation.
“We are committed to equipping our youths with the tools, skills, and opportunities they need to thrive,” Sanwo-Olu stated during his keynote. “Lagos today is not just the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria but also a global hub for creativity, technology, and enterprise—hosting some of the most successful African unicorn startups and creative minds.”
The event featured a moving tribute from Dr. Ayo Ogunsan, a member of the CASET Advisory Board, who read the governor’s citation. Ogunsan, in his remarks, described Sanwo-Olu metaphorically as “the Vice Chancellor of the best university in the world—a university called Lagos, with over 22 million students,” a statement that drew applause from the audience and underscored the scale and complexity of governing Nigeria’s most populous state.
Ogunsan further highlighted the governor’s contributions to education, innovation, and youth development, noting that his leadership aligns with CASET’s core mission of fostering transformative change across African societies. He praised Sanwo-Olu’s vision and commitment to partnerships that bridge Africa with global institutions and knowledge centres.
This symbolic recognition not only honours the achievements of the Lagos State government under Governor Sanwo-Olu but also represents a step forward in fostering stronger academic, economic, and cultural ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom. Through platforms like CASET, Lagos State is positioning itself at the forefront of global conversations around Africa’s future development trajectory.
