Lagos taps data to drive governance, SDGs

The Lagos State State Government says it is tapping data to drive governance and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the state.

Oreoluwa Finnih, the special adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), said this at the 2026 annual ministerial briefing at Alausa on Tuesday, restating commitment to governance that is guided by evidence, coordination, and measurable impact.

According to Finnih, Lagos is strengthening how it tracks progress and delivers results by integrating data across ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).

She noted that the data-driven approach was yielding visible outcomes, especially through the Lagos State’s active leadership in the Human Capital Development (HCD) 2.0 Core Working Group. This initiative has helped the state to design and implement interventions in health, education, and social development that are not only people-centered but backed by evidence.

“Data is the bedrock of sustainable development; it allows us to move from intuition to impact. By strengthening inter-agency data frameworks, we are not only tracking progress but also deepening accountability to every resident of Lagos. Our focus is to use these insights to close gaps in inclusion and economic opportunity,” she said.

Finnih equally emphasised  the successful coordination of Lagos State’s 2nd Voluntary Local Review (VLR), which brought together communities, stakeholders, and development partners in assessing progress on the SDGs at the local level. This process, she noted, further positions Lagos as a leading voice in localising and reporting on the SDGs globally.

She highlighted other attainments to include the 2nd Edition of the Advocacy for Women’s Financial Inclusion, which focused on underserved communities; improved policy alignment across MDAs to drive a unified approach to the 2030 Agenda; and expanded awareness initiatives such as SDG Clubs in primary schools and social impact cinema projects designed to inspire behavioral change among young people.

She reaffirmed her office’s engagement in global sustainability conversations, with participation in key international forums including the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), as well as the Rabat, Khartoum, and Niamey Processes, ensuring that Lagos continues to align its development priorities with global best practices.

As the office marks its 10th anniversary, it is also looking ahead. Through its 2025 Annual Strategic Retreat and continuous capacity building, the SDG Office is preparing its team and partners to respond to the evolving data and development needs of a rapidly growing megacity.