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“Asiwaju has done it before, he can do it again.”
If you still stay in Nigeria (and haven’t JAND), you must have heard Nigerians clamouring his name, shouting on top of their voices. In February, Bola Ahmed Tinubu was on the Ballot papers, in a quest to lead Nigeria from Aso rock.
While on March 1, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the president-elect of the 2023 presidential elections.
In this post, we try to dig into his tenure as the Governor of Lagos state. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu served as the Lagos state governor from the 1999 to 2007. His administration was one of the prosperous for the metropolitan city in areas ranging from decentralisation to infrastructural development.
Disclaimer: Blackgeeks is not affiliated to any politician.TINUBU ACHIEVEMENTS AS LAGOS STATE GOVERNOR.
1. Transition Of Energy And Power.
In 2000, former Governor Bola Tinubu partnered with AES Nigeria to build an Independent Power Plant to generate 270MW for Lagos residents. This was in a bid to escape the erratic power supply provided by the FG. The power generated was consumed locally, but later transmitted to the national grid due to some challenges in the operational framework of the energy sector.
2. Decentralization of Lagos State Government.
In 2003, the Tinubu Administration introduced 37 LCDAs in Lagos. The Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) are “4th-tier” bodies created by Nigerian State Government to bring closer to the people and for state-specific development agenda.
3. The State’s Economy Boost.
The Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) accrued by Lagos was around 600 million Naira per month when BAT took over. The IGR later rose to 8 billion Naira per month under BAT. During his tenure, Lagos state contributed more than 30% to our country’s GDP, accounted for more than 65% of industrial investment in Nigeria, 80% of its international trade, and collected more than 60% of the country’s value-added tax.
4. Improvement Of Health Sector.
In 2001, the decentralization of the Health Management Board led to the establishment of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) with the objective of providing pre-hospital care services in case of medical emergencies.
Programmes such as “Jigi Bola” and Free Health Policy were introduced the same year. JIGI BOLA was particularly introduced to provide Lagosians with free eye screening and surgical operation.
“Today I am very, very proud of what is available to the public, and the healthcare scheme that we introduced in this state was equally an asset of value.”
– Bola Ahmed Tinubu (2009).
5. Support For Education.
Lagos State Government under Tinubu presented a cheque of N214 million to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) as examination fees for all SSS 3 students in the state’s schools for the 2003/2004 academic year.
One of the laudable programmes in the state’s education sector is the “Spelling Bee Competition”, and it was pioneered in 2001 by the then First Lady of Lagos State, Oluremi Tinubu. At the end of the competition, the winner is celebrated as the state’s one-day governor while runner ups become Cabinet Members.
6. Incorporation of Investments into Lagos.
One of the most remarkable investment into Lagos was the Lekki free trade zone. It was Tinubu’s brainchild. A Free Trade Zone is an area within which goods may be landed, handled, manufactured or reconfigured, and re- exported without the intervention of custom authorities. The LFTZ, Africa’s fastest growing economic zone, had attracted $15 billion from domestic and foreign investors.
“I asked them to see the magic of long-term investment and the return that will come from the interest rates, which is tax-free element of return.”
– Bola Ahmed Tinubu (2009).
7. Restructured Housing System.
After Tinubu came in, he restructured the ministry of works and housing by upgrading the housing department into a full-fledged ministry. His administration facilitated access to quality accommodation and succeeded in making the Lekki corridor the fastest growing real estate investment haven.
“Constrained again with a debt asset known as land, and which is the smallest among all the states in the country but with unlimited potential for prosperity.”
– Bola Ahmed Tinubu (2009).
8. Regard For The Environment.
LAWMA, LASEPA, LWC, PUMAU, LASECA. All formulated by Tinubu to tackle the issue of environmental decay in Lagos. The creation of these agencies also gave job opening to the masses
“Look at the system. Tackle the refuse problem. Gradually convert the dead assets, that is the land possession of the people, into valuable means of prosperity for the state.”
– Bola Ahmed Tinubu (2009).
9. Maximization of Public-Private Partnerships.
Public-private partnerships (PPP) allow large-scale government projects, such as roads, bridges, or hospitals, to be completed with private funding. Tinubu’s administration obtained funds to propagate large projects like the Eko Atlantic, Lagos BRT scheme and the Lekki infrastructure company amongst others.
He also privatised health-care delivery in Lagos.
CONCLUSION.
To wrap-up, the Administration of Tinubu in Lagos was not all-round perfect. For instance, in 2001 the former Lagos State Governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu promised to build at least a model “millennium” secondary school in each of the 20 local councils of the state. At the end of his 8th year, however, only 4 schools were built.
Still, from the above listed, we can see that his achievements had set a blueprint for the New Lagos. Now, can Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) replicate his state successes at the national level?
Abdulbasit Toriola is an emerging voice in Nigerian cultural commentary and social analysis. From his corner in Lagos, he documents Nigerian history, current affairs, and explores the extraordinary journeys of Nigerians beating the odds. His works have been published on Africa Prime News and Opinion Nigeria. Connect with Abdulbasit on Twitter @blackboymusings for daily insights into Nigerian life and culture.
