Sanwo-Olu also urged the university community to  collaborate with other bodies in the achievement of  Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs.

The governor spoke at the 2025 SDGs Certification Training for Deans, Directors and Students of LASU at the university’s main campus, Ojo.

The governor was represented by his Special  Adviser  on SDGs, Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih.

LASU  topped the list of sought-after institutions in the country in the 2025 UTME, with 79,000 candidates.

The University of Lagos came second with 58,645 candidates choosing it as their first choice of institution.

The governor said at the training that the state government and its agencies were known for excellence.

Sanwo-Olu said that SDGs were designed to tackle socio-economic challenges, urging the university community to collaborate with relevant agencies in contributing to the achievement of SDGs.

According to him, inward-looking solutions will continue to put the state ahead of others.

“As an institution, you should be concerned about what the state is doing to achieve the SDGs and key into it with a view to solving community challenges.

“The state has been creating awareness on what it is doing on SDGs; therefore, bring knowledge-driven solutions while state government offers platforms to achieving such,” he said.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of LASU, Prof.  Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, said that the university had been encouraging its staff and students to solve societal problems.

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Olatunji-Bello was represented by her Deputy (Academics), Prof. Taiwo Afisi.

She described all the 17 SDGs as essential to humanity.

She said that the university community would deploy scientific approaches to contribute to achieving the goals.

Dr Farzana Sharmin,  Associate Economic Affairs Officer at United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, said that Africa had made progress in its efforts at achieving the SDGs.

She, however, said that a lot still needed to be achieved.

Sharmin spoke on the  2025 Africa Sustainable Development Report Progress.

“I recommend investment in skills, youth education, leveraging solidarity through cooperation, mobilisation of finance and strengthening partnerships,” she said.

The official also recommended strengthening of institutions for sound economic governance, investment in data infrastructure, and using emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.”

Source: NAN

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The training of the 100 women is an addition to the 1,100 women earlier trained on financial literacy and inclusion in 11 different hard-to-reach communities in the five divisions of Lagos State.

Speaking on Tuesday at the Grand Finale of Human Capital Development in Lagos State through the Women’s Financial Inclusion Initiative, held at Oko-Agbon in Agboyi-Ketu, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Sustainable Development Goals, Dr Oreoluwa Finnih, said the initiative in partnership with Africa Human Capacity Development Plus was to equip women with the knowledge needed to unlock financial freedom and secure their livelihoods so that they could build a future of dignity and independence for themselves and their families.

Finnih, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of SDGs, Mrs Olayemi Sarunmi, was optimistic that when women were financially independent, the community flourishes, the economy grows and development becomes truly sustainable.

She commended all the partners and financial institutions, which included Opay, Cowrywise, LASHMA, LASSRA and NIMC, among others, for partnering with the Lagos State government for the success of the programme, which has empowered 1,200 women in 12 hard-to-reach communities in Lagos State.

She said: “The Office of SDGs with the strategic support of Africa HCD Plus launched this empowerment outreach initiative tagged “Advocacy for Women’s Financial Inclusion in Hard-To-Reach Communities” with the sole aim of empowering financially marginalised women to enable them to access essential financial services and promote financial literacy.

“Today, that noble endeavour conceived barely a year ago has blossomed into a movement of measurable impact and meaningful change. It has touched lives, opened doors, and restored confidence in countless women who now see themselves as active participants in the economic growth of our state.”

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The Lagos State government’s technical partner, Africa Human Capacity Development Plus, represented by Ms Halima Mohammed, commended the efforts of the team for getting to over 12 hard-to-reach communities for the women’s financial literacy and inclusion projects, which she described as a huge success in the last one year with 1,200 women empowered.

She said: “This journey, which began in earnest less than a year ago, was inspired by a bold and visionary commitment from the Lagos State Government under the THEMES+ Agenda to ensure no one is left behind, particularly women in hard-to-reach communities.

“Lagos, as one of Africa’s largest urban economies, has again shown that when the right investments are made in people in their health, skills, and productive potential, the returns are far-reaching. And when data informs this investment, progress is not just visible; it is measurable and sustainable.”

Mohammed commended Finnih and the entire coordination team, saying, “Your leadership has been both strategic and passionate, ensuring that this advocacy reached the people who need it the most.”

Appreciating the gesture on behalf of the riverine community, the traditional ruler, Oba Monsuru Oladega, advised the beneficiaries to inculcate saving habits as well as being trained to be financially independent.

He also called on the Lagos State government to replace the wooden bridge of over two kilometres with concrete casting while advocating speedy inauguration of the public hospital in the area to complement the SDG efforts.

Some of the beneficiaries said the financial literacy capacity building would go a long way in boosting their self-esteem and promoting entrepreneurial spirit in their communities.

During the community engagement programme, 120 women were registered under the Ilera Eko Health scheme to benefit from one year’s health services free of charge in accredited facilities.

The hard-to-reach communities which have benefitted from the HCD programme are Aderupoko Community in Iwaya, Lagos Mainland; Oke Ira Central Community, Ifako-Ijaiye; Ilaje Community, Bariga; Araromi-Ale, Badagry; Taffi Community, Oto-Awori LCDA, Ojo; Araromi Community, Ibeju Lekki; Odomola Community and Eredo LCDA, Epe.

Others are Ijora Badia, Apapa Iganmu; Amukoko Community, Ifelodun LCDA; Mende Community, Maryland, Kosofe; Oke-Ira Community, Ogba and Oko-Agbon riverine community.

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Office of Sustainable Development Goals, OSDG, on Thursday, launched Lagos Sustainability Summit — a yearly multidisciplinary forum designed to advance strategies and create actionable pathways to build a more equitable, inclusive and prosperous Lagos.

The summit, coming up in the second week of September at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, is being organised in collaboration with Lagos State Safety Commission, LSSC, and Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA.

The event with the theme: “Building a Resilient and Sustainable Lagos”, will host a diverse range of stakeholders, including governmental bodies, private sector leaders, civil society organisations, and international partners, to share ideas, generate fresh insights and collaborate on innovative solutions to address critical sustainability challenges.

The summit is expected to chart a course for Lagos to emerge as a model for sustainable urban development anchored on social equity, economic prosperity and environmental stewardship.

Addressing journalists at a pre-event conference held Thursday, at Radisson Hotel in Ikeja, Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Sustainable Development Goals, Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih, said the summit would bring fresh impetus to the state government’s drive to strategically reposition Lagos towards advancing its vision of becoming a resilient and sustainable city.

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Through the initiative, she said the Office of the Sustainable Development Goals would be championing ethical business practices that must have positive social impact, stressing that any effort aimed at achieving economic growth in the state must go hand in hand with moral and social responsibilities.

Finnih said the Lagos Sustainability Summit would serve as a call to action and a roadmap guiding the State Government’s efforts to forge a prosperous, equitable and environmentally sustainable city where citizens would have the opportunity to succeed.

She said: “As we stand at the forefront of a transformative journey, Lagos is launching a Sustainability Summit that stands as a testament to our collective resolve. The summit will focus on key areas that will demonstrate the Government’s commitment to sustainability, showcasing strategic initiatives and policies that reflect our dedication to sustainable development. Through the event, we will be fostering social cohesion by ensuring equitable participation of communities in sustainability efforts.

“We will be promoting ethical business practices that will enable positive social impacts, fair labour standards and community engagement initiatives that drive positive social impacts. The summit will enhance sustainable finance, while encouraging investments in projects that support the SDGs and integrate Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria into financial decision-making. We seek to build resilient networks that support responsible waste management and local sourcing. and ethical labor practices.”

Finnih said human communities, more than ever, stood at crossroads, given the shift in global dynamics, impacts of climate change and technological advancement. This, she pointed out, had been making cities devising innovative ways to make their communities thrive in emerging competitive environments.

The Special Adviser said Lagos was faced with the choice to rise to the occasion in order not to be overwhelmed by global changes, creating a platform for innovation, adaptation and actions.

“The summit is not just about dialogues but about taking decisive actions that will shape the future of our city. This effort is not just for us, but for the children who will inherit this city and who will look to us, not just as leaders, but as guardians of their future. We would be worthy of their trust if we build a Lagos that is resilient, sustainable and above all, a city that is filled with hope,” Finnih said.

LASEPA General Manager, Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, said the initiative was not only intended to enhance sustainable business practices, but also to champion protection of the environment for the wellbeing of the city’s inhabitants.

Ajayi said the future generations would be proud of the efforts being taken by the state government to bequeath a sustainable city to them.

LSSC Director General, Mr. Lanre Mojola, said part of the state’s urbanisation vision was to build a city with robust occupational safety and health standards, noting that the summit would be a major step towards making Lagos a safe city.

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