• Population Growth: Lagos State welcomes over 6,000 new entrants daily, with approximately 3,000 choosing to stay without known addresses, putting a strain on the state’s resources .
• Budget Constraints: The state’s budget of N2.2 trillion (around $1.3 billion) is stretched thin, especially when compared to New York State’s budget of $237 billion, which supports a population of 19.5 million .
• Social Challenges: Dr. Hamzat attributed some of Nigeria’s socioeconomic challenges to a breakdown in family structures, citing over 130,000 cases in Lagos where men have abandoned their families .
• Importance of Culture: The Deputy Governor emphasized the importance of preserving culture, language, and tradition, noting that understanding one’s culture is crucial for self-discovery and empowerment .
• Collaboration with NGOs: Dr. Hamzat called for more collaboration between the state government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to enhance the delivery of good governance and address social-economic needs .
Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat has revealed that the state welcomes over 6,000 new entrants daily, with approximately 3,000 choosing to stay without known addresses. This rapid population growth is putting a strain on the state’s resources, with an estimated population of 27 million stretching its budget of N2.2 trillion (around $1.3 billion). To put this into perspective, New York State’s budget is $237 billion, supporting a population of 19.5 million, while New York’s budget for child protective services alone surpasses the combined budgets of Lagos and five other Nigerian states.
Dr. Hamzat emphasized the challenges posed by these resource limitations, particularly in providing adequate services and infrastructure for the rapidly growing population. He also highlighted the importance of strengthening family structures, citing over 130,000 cases in Lagos where men have abandoned their families. “The family unit must be strengthened,” he stated, adding that sustainable social development hinges on family stability. The state’s budget, recently passed by the Lagos Assembly, totals N2,267,976,120,869, with 58% allocated for capital expenditure and 42% for recurrent expenditure .
