Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos has emphasised the crucial role of technology and data in effective project management.

He urged his cabinet members to leverage digital tools and data-driven insights to drive governance.

Mr Sanwo-Olu made the call at the opening of a four-day workshop on ‘Mastering Effective Project Management: Strategies For Success’.

The event held on Wednesday in Ikeja.

The workshop was organised by the Project Implementation and Monitoring Unit (PIMU) of Lagos state government and the Projecting Management Institute, U.S.

Mr Sanwo-Olu was represented by his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat.

He said that staying ahead of the curve in technology was vital for delivering the state government’s agenda.

The governor encouraged his cabinet members to integrate innovativeness into their daily operations to achieve his administration’s vision for Lagos state.

He said that achieving ambitious targets across sectors required a disciplined approach to project management.

Mr Sanwo-Olu also said that project management was the backbone of effective governance.

He added that delivering projects on time, within budget, and with high standards would reinforce government credibility and public trust.

“We have set ambitious targets across every sector, including education, healthcare, infrastructure, technology, and social services.

“Achieving these targets requires not just a passion but a disciplined approach to project management,” Mr Sanwo-Olu said.

He reminded cabinet members of their critical role in overseeing projects, inspiring teams and ensuring the achievement of collective goals.

“The workshop is an opportunity to engage advanced strategies that will ensure projects are managed with precision and accountability from initiation to completion.

“This knowledge will not only help us to avoid pitfalls but will also enable us to seize opportunities for innovation, efficiency and excellence.

“As key members of the executive council, each of you is a leader and a project champion.

“You are responsible not only for overseeing projects but for inspiring your teams, setting high standards, and ensuring that our collective goals are met.

“The effectiveness of your leadership in project management directly impacts our ability to deliver results for the people of Lagos,” he said.

The governor noted significant progress the state had made in the past years and encouraged members of his cabinet to give room for improvement.

“This administration has made significant progress in various sectors, including infrastructure development and public service reforms.

“As we deepen our understanding of effective project management, we are equipping ourselves to be more agile, innovative and accountable.”

Earlier, Olusegun Sanwo-Olu, executive assistant to the governor on project implementation and monitoring, emphasised the importance of adopting Artificial Intelligence in governance.

He said that the move aimed to enhance turnaround time, data-driven decision-making, and monitoring of policies and projects’ impacts on Lagos residents.

He said that stakeholders shared a collective responsibility to ensure that the present and future of Lagos state would be built on strong governance, visionary leadership and a commitment to positively impacting the people’s lives.

George Asamani, managing director of Project Management Institute (PMI) Global, Sub-Saharan Africa, emphasised the need to enhance Africa’s project management capabilities to effectively execute initiatives across the continent.

He said that in spite of having great leaders with innovative strategies, Africa still lagged in execution capability.

Mr Asamani said that improved project management would enable Africa to move beyond traditional governance models and make a meaningful impact on lives.

According to him, the workshop will help to position Lagos state to move beyond the conventional governance model.

(NAN)