The governor of Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-olu, has urged Africans to unlock new ways for young people to prosper reforming higher education to make it more entrepreneurial and relevant for rapidly evolving realities of the 21st century.
Governor Sanwo-olu made the call on Thursday, saying that taking a bold movement would boost business spirit as a tool for economic empowerment and position Africa as a world leader in innovation, sustainability and inclusive growth.
The governor, who spoke while pronouncing his opening speech in the official launch of the African Social and Economic Transformation Center (Caset) at the University of West of England, Bristol, said that the transformation that is sought is not an abstract ideal, but an urgent call to action.
“The transformation we are looking for is not an abstract ideal; it is real, a call to action, and is urgent. A call to take advantage of our collective resources, talents and networks to create real opportunities for millions in Africa,” he said.
Governor Sanwo-olu said that Caset stands as a bold and brilliant promise lighthouse, pointing out that with collective effort, its impact would be felt in Africa and beyond, even when it promised that the state of lakes would be a willing and committed partner.
“The state of Lagos will be a willing and committed partner, and we will do everything possible to help forge additional associations,” said the governor.
Therefore, he asked all academics, policy formulators, business leaders, development partners and friends from Africa who sees Caset as a timely meeting point and a platform where interested parties can join hands to turn ideas into action and action into a lasting transformation.
Sanwo-olu, who is the patron of Caset, which stands as a lighthouse of the aspirations of Africa and the lasting association between the continent and the global community, said that the continent is the home of 1,400 million people, with more than 60 percent of the 25 years, maintains the largest deposit of youth energy, talent and potential in any part of the world.
He said that the state of Lagos, which has had the privilege of leading as governor chosen since 2019, “embodies aquatic megaciudad to some of the most exciting artists and creatives in the world today, while affirming as an ecosystem of global starting, home of several unicorn companies.”
The governor said that his administration, through some policies, is training young people with the skills, platforms and capital they needed to build business, create jobs and boost change.
“As articulated on the 2063 Agenda of the African Union, 'The Africa We We Beat' is of prosperity, driven by inclusive growth, sustainable development and innovation, and lake proudly demonstrates that this exciting vision is attainable.
“In the state of Lagos, we recognize the power of the association as a way to overcome the challenges we face. Working with my team in the last six years, particularly through public-private associations, we have delivered a transformation infrastructure, including a new subway rail system, the largest rice rice rail, the largest rail in Africa, the most modern margin of Western Africa, and a transport system Modern modern transport sew.
“Currently we are also building the largest food logistics park in West Africa, as well as one of the largest pediatric facilities on the continent. Lagos is today the home of the Dangote refinery, the largest oil refinery in a single training in the world, located in the Lekki Peninsula, which in itself is one of the industrial corridors and real real estate in the world.
“For us in lakes, ambition and audacity are characteristic characteristics for everything we do. We seek to build on a scale to positively transform the lives and livelihoods of our people. That is why the vision and mission of Caset, train people and communities in Africa, resonate so deeply with me.
“As governor of the state of Lagos, the largest city and the economic power of Africa, I have seen firsthand how the specific investments in education, capacities development, digital technology and company can transform lives,” said Governor Sanwo-olu.
Speaking about the importance of Caset for Africa, Sanwo-olu said that it is more than a center, but a movement and a mobilization force to promote collaborative research, develop an institutional capacity and solve pressing problems.
In addition, he said that the center is a mobilist force to promote cross -border associations that place African voices and leadership in the center to shape a shared future.
“As a patron, I promise my full support for this mission. Through sustained associations between African governments, universities, private sector actors and international allies, we can unlock new roads for our young people to prosper,” he said.