Lagos will become third largest economy in Africa -Ambode
Lagos state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Saturday said that one of his administration’s objectives is to propel the state from being the fifth to become the third largest economy in Africa.
He said to achieve this, the state government would focus more on education (especially vocational training), scaling up of its health facilities, including renewal and building of world class infrastructure in 2017.
Governor Ambode, who spoke at the Christmas Eve Dance organised by the Yoruba Tennis Club, Onikan, said he remains committed to making the state globally competitive, adding that by virtue of its indices, Lagos has become a major city-state in the world.
He said the state is currently home to 65 per cent of Nigeria’s businesses, with a presence of over 2,000 manufacturing companies, 200 financial institutions and the largest collection of small and medium enterprises in Africa.
The Governor added that with an estimated population of about 24 million people, over 15.2 million are within the ages of 15 and 64 years, which positions the state as having the largest share of working population in sub-Saharan Africa.
“We are Africa’s fastest growing market and still the 5th largest economy in Africa with a GDP of $91billion. The drop in our GDP value from $131billion is as a result of the fluctuation in foreign exchange but our ultimate goal is to grow our GDP to move from 5th to 3rd largest in Africa,” Governor Ambode said.
The governor also restated his commitment to deliver a Lagos that is safe, clean and prosperous as well as a city that works for all regardless of race, religion or gender.
Governor Ambode, while also congratulating the Club on its 90th year anniversary, thanked them for the massive support given to his administration in the outgoing year.
Also speaking at the Christmas Eve Dance of the Island Club, Governor Ambode expressed optimism that with the “Golden Jubilee” 2017 budget of the state currently undergoing consideration by the House of Assembly, the state was adequately positioned to record milestone developments in the coming year.
Governor Ambode, who spoke at the Christmas Eve Dance organised by the Yoruba Tennis Club, Onikan, said he remains committed to making the state globally competitive, adding that by virtue of its indices, Lagos has become a major city-state in the world.
He said the state is currently home to 65 per cent of Nigeria’s businesses, with a presence of over 2,000 manufacturing companies, 200 financial institutions and the largest collection of small and medium enterprises in Africa.
The Governor added that with an estimated population of about 24 million people, over 15.2 million are within the ages of 15 and 64 years, which positions the state as having the largest share of working population in sub-Saharan Africa.
“We are Africa’s fastest growing market and still the 5th largest economy in Africa with a GDP of $91billion. The drop in our GDP value from $131billion is as a result of the fluctuation in foreign exchange but our ultimate goal is to grow our GDP to move from 5th to 3rd largest in Africa,” Governor Ambode said.
The governor also restated his commitment to deliver a Lagos that is safe, clean and prosperous as well as a city that works for all regardless of race, religion or gender.
Governor Ambode, while also congratulating the Club on its 90th year anniversary, thanked them for the massive support given to his administration in the outgoing year.
Also speaking at the Christmas Eve Dance of the Island Club, Governor Ambode expressed optimism that with the “Golden Jubilee” 2017 budget of the state currently undergoing consideration by the House of Assembly, the state was adequately positioned to record milestone developments in the coming year.
