Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has barred the 57 newly sworn-in local government and Local Council Development Area chairmen from appointing Secretaries to Local Governments and supervisory councillors, a move that has triggered uncertainty across council areas.
The governor made the announcement shortly after inaugurating the elected chairmen and their vice chairmen at a ceremony held at the Sports Ground of Lagos House in Ikeja. He instructed the council chiefs to instead appoint Chiefs of Staff to help coordinate daily activities, stating that the state government would notify them when it is time to make further appointments.
The decision has unsettled political expectations within the councils, especially as several individuals had been promised key roles during the run-up to the elections. With the governor’s directive, those awaiting appointments have been left in limbo.
Sanwo-Olu urged the new chairmen to use the first 30 to 60 days of their tenure to understand the needs of their communities and to adopt inclusive leadership practices while prioritising the welfare of residents.
He noted that the era of local government autonomy, now affirmed by the Supreme Court, places greater responsibility on the council leaders, who now have direct access to their councils’ funds.
“We are living through a new era of local government autonomy, fiscal and administrative independence now affirmed by the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Lagos has consistently taken the lead in this regard. As chairmen, you now have direct access to your council’s funds. With this comes direct accountability. No excuses. No finger pointing. The buck now stops with you,” he said.
“Use this autonomy wisely. Guard it with transparency. Let your tenure reflect not political entitlement, but public responsibility. Leadership must never be about personal gain; it must be about public impact.”
Sanwo-Olu warned that underperformance and betrayal of public trust would not be tolerated, stressing that Lagosians expect tangible results from the grassroots leaders. He called on the chairmen to rise to the occasion and align with the THEMES+ agenda of the state administration.
“The people have placed in your hands not just votes, but their dreams. Their expectations are clear: better roads, safer streets, functioning health centres, thriving schools, modern markets, environmental sanitation, youth engagement and community security. These are not abstractions; they are daily necessities. And your performance will be measured not by the eloquence of your speeches, but by the visibility of your actions,” the governor said.
“Lagos is counting on you to bring development to every street, every ward, every community. Let the THEMES+ agenda of our administration come alive in your domains. Translate our vision in Transportation, Health, Education, Environment, Security and Social Inclusion into projects that impact lives. Let rural communities feel the presence of the government. Let our riverine and underserved areas know that they, too, are not forgotten. Governance must be inclusive, equitable and people-centred.”
He reaffirmed the state's commitment to supporting the chairmen but noted they would be held to the highest standards of service delivery.
“Your success is our success. The state government stands firmly with you. We will support you. We will work with you. But we will also hold you to the highest standards.”
Speaking on behalf of the newly sworn-in chairmen, the Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area, Sesan Olowa, thanked the governor and Lagos residents for the opportunity to serve. Olowa, who was elected shortly after as Chairman of Conference 57, pledged to uphold the values of the All Progressives Congress and deliver impactful leadership.
“We will uphold the values of the APC and ensure development touches every ward and community under our care,” he said.
The ceremony was attended by the governor’s wife, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Deputy Governor Dr Kadri Hamzat; members of the state executive council; Speaker of the State Assembly Mudasiru Obasa and other lawmakers; members of the National Assembly; Governance Advisory Council Chairman Prince Tajudeen Olusi; APC Lagos State Chairman Cornelius Ojelabi; traditional rulers; market leaders and numerous party members and supporters.
