Lagos State government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, on economic growth with City UK.
The agreement is between Lagos International Financial Centre, LIFC, and the City UK, TCUK.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said it is important to set up LIFC, which is the first in Sub-African Sahara.
“Now with what the UK government has demonstrated, to support us, handle and help us navigate whatever we have lost, whatever minefields that are in the way of the journey in achieving this set of objectives.
“It is about the conversation of putting our country and the investable public, both local and international, on a platform that will make businesses work better, that will create an ambience of a more predictable and reliable financial centre in this part of the world,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu, who is the Chairman of LIFC Council, said the signing of the MoU has kicked started another level of engagement.
“Let me acknowledge the signing of the memorandum of understanding, a simple but very important document between the Lagos State government and the enterprise, as the partner on the other side.
“Around two years ago, whilst we had, like the big dreams and big ideas on how to reverse the Lagos International Financial Centre, the Council has been set up, engagements have been heard, trips have been made, contacts have been made, doors have been opened,” he said.
The governor admitted that there has been challenges, but government has resolved to take the bull by the horns and move forward.
“Will the road be rough? It will be, but we are committed that Nigeria will scrape and will renew the road. Will we have challenges? That is why we are here, there will be challenges, there will be obstacles, but we are more resolute, we are committed.
“We are the team that will see from both sides, that we will not stop at anything, but we will achieve our set of objectives. So for me, it is really just to encourage all of those voices and to say that we are on the right track,” he said.
Co-chair of LIFC’s Council, Mr Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede lauded the governor’s initiative to embark on the project.
Officials present at the signing were the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mrs Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Head of Service, Mr Bode Agoro, Commissioner for Finance, Mr Abayomi Oluyomi and Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr Ope George. NAN
