Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to positioning Lagos as a global investment hub through reforms, infrastructure development and financial market deepening.

This is contained in a statement on Wednesday by Gboyega Akosile, the governor’s special adviser on media and publicity.

Mr Sanwo-Olu spoke during courtesy visits by the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, led by Oluropo Dada, and Standard Chartered Bank’s Africa CEO, Dalu Ajene, at Lagos House, Marina.

The governor said Lagos remained focused on creating an enabling business environment, maintaining urban safety and strengthening investor confidence.

He highlighted ongoing efforts to establish the Lagos International Financial Centre, describing it as a transformative initiative to attract foreign direct and portfolio investments.

“We are deliberate about building Lagos into a global financial hub.

“The Lagos International Financial Centre will provide a secure and favourable environment for international investors, deepen our capital market and expand available financial instruments,” he said.

Mr Sanwo-Olu noted that the project had the support of President Bola Tinubu and aligned with broader national economic reforms.

“Our vision is to make Lagos not just Nigeria’s economic nerve centre but Africa’s.

“We are investing in infrastructure, human capital, urban safety and inclusive growth to keep Lagos attractive to domestic and international investors,” he said.

The governor said the state would continue leveraging innovative financial instruments to fund critical infrastructure, transportation and urban development projects to improve residents’ quality of life.

He commended the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers and Standard Chartered Bank for deepening financial services and strengthening trust in the Nigerian market.

“We appreciate your long-term commitment and strategic investments over the decades.

“Institutions like yours are critical to sustaining investor confidence and driving economic growth,” he said.

Mr Sanwo-Olu also applauded reforms by the federal government and the Central Bank of Nigeria.

He said gradual interest rate reductions, stable foreign reserves and moderated inflation were essential to sustaining growth and investment.

Earlier, Mr Dada said Lagos had demonstrated leadership in capital market participation and domestic resource mobilisation.

“Lagos State has shown innovation in deploying financial instruments to fund large-scale infrastructure, including the Blue and Red Line rail projects.

“This has strengthened investor confidence and economic productivity,” he said.

Mr Dada praised the financial centre initiative and pledged the institute’s support in positioning Lagos as a leading international financial hub.

Mr Ajene reaffirmed Standard Chartered Bank’s commitment to supporting strategic investments and sustainable economic growth in Lagos and Nigeria.

The visits underscored Lagos State’s role as Nigeria’s financial and commercial hub, driven by collaboration between government and professional institutions to promote capital formation and global investment readiness.

(NAN)