MOI Awards 2025: Gov. Sanwo-Olu Receives ‘Investment and Development Leadership’ Award, says it’s meaningful

The Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has described his ‘Investment and Development Leadership’ award at the MOI Awards 2025 as “meaningful”, as it is a recognition of the collective effort that is steadily positioning Lagos as one of the world’s leading emerging economic hubs.

Governor Sanwo-Olu was conferred with the honour at the Masters of Industry (MOI) Awards 2025, held on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at the Landmark Event Centre, Lagos.

The Governor was represented at the event by the Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs Folashade Bada Ambrose, who received the award and delivered his remarks to an audience of senior government officials, CEOs, investors, founders, and industry leaders from across Africa.

“It’s a Recognition of Our Collective Work”

In his address, Governor Sanwo-Olu underscored that the recognition speaks directly to Lagos State’s long-term vision of creating an investment-friendly environment built on clear policy direction, modern infrastructure, and sustainable development.

“Tonight, I am deeply honoured to receive the ‘Investment and Development Leadership’ Award. This award is particularly meaningful because it recognises governments and leaders who create the policies, infrastructure, climate, and long-term vision that attract investment and drive sustainable development,” the Governor said.

He further stressed that the honour is not his alone but belongs to all who work daily to make Lagos a destination of choice for capital, talent, and innovation.

“But more importantly, this award is a recognition of the collective work of all who have contributed to making Lagos a destination of choice for investors across Africa and beyond. It tells a story that Lagos is growing and being positioned as one of the world’s leading emerging economic hubs.”

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About the Award category

The Investment and Development Leadership Award is one of the flagship honours at the Masters of Industry Awards, a pan-African recognition platform curated by Business Elites Africa. The award is reserved for leaders whose policies and governance models have directly strengthened investor confidence, unlocked new economic opportunities, and accelerated long-term development.

Recipients are selected through a research-led process that assesses verifiable impact, quality of reforms, infrastructure drive, private sector engagement, and sustainability. Governor Sanwo-Olu’s recognition reflects Lagos’ consistent performance as Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre and a magnet for investment in technology, real estate, logistics, entertainment, manufacturing, and services.

Lagos as an Emerging Global Economic Hub

Under Governor Sanwo-Olu’s leadership, Lagos has deepened its reputation as an investment destination through:

• Ambitious infrastructure projects across transportation, housing, and public utilities;
  
• Ease-of-doing-business reforms that streamline approvals and reduce bottlenecks for investors and SMEs;
  
• Targeted support for priority sectors such as tech, creative industries, tourism, manufacturing, and financial services;
  
• Public–private partnerships (PPPs) that mobilise private capital for public-good projects; and
  
• A clear long-term development vision that aligns growth with sustainability and inclusion.
  

These efforts, the governor noted, are jointly driven by ministries, agencies, local and international partners, and the private sector, with Lagos residents at the center of it all.

Commendation for Business Elites Africa and MOI Awards

Governor Sanwo-Olu also praised Business Elites Africa and the Masters of Industry (MOI) Awards for their role in documenting and amplifying African success stories.

“To Business Elites Africa, I commend your continued commitment to recognising excellence and documenting the progress of African leadership and entrepreneurship. Platforms like this inspire, motivate, and elevate.”

He added that credible platforms like MOI help set standards, encourage healthy competition, and promote a culture of excellence in both public and private sectors.