By Adeyemi Adeleye
Eko United, a coalition of Lagos professionals, on Tuesday launched the Progressive Lagos Initiative (PLI) to expand elite involvement in state governance.
Convener Wole Olagundoye said the initiative was designed to mobilise professional expertise for Lagos’ long-term development.
He said Lagos had long relied on grassroots mobilisation, adding that elites must now act as co-architects of the state’s future direction.
Olagundoye said the PLI would operate as a knowledge powerhouse to harness insights from professionals, innovators, and technocrats.
He noted that Lagos’ rapid expansion required bigger solutions and deeper intellectual engagement.
He said the initiative aimed to inject smart thinking directly into the state’s governance structure.
Olagundoye said successive administrations had built strong foundations for Lagos’ continued progress.
He commended Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, describing his government as reform-driven and innovation-minded.
He said the search for leadership alignment guided Eko United toward Dr Abdul-Azeez Adediran, known as Jandor, a former Lagos governorship candidate.
Olagundoye described Adediran as a visionary, data-led leader with grassroots depth and business-minded solutions.
He said the coalition unanimously adopted Adediran as its preferred driver of Lagos’ next-level vision.
According to him, Adediran accepted the endorsement under two clear conditions.
He said the conditions were support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election and firm loyalty to the APC regardless of the primary outcome.
Olagundoye said the PLI would act as the policy engine for Lagos’ next phase of economic and social growth.
He urged Lagos professionals to join the platform and submit reform-oriented proposals.
He added that the initiative was not a campaign but early sensitisation ahead of 2027 civic duties.
According to him, Lagos must be shaped by its brightest minds and not solely political actors.
He said the coalition believed Adediran had the competence to build a smarter and more competitive Lagos.
Olagundoye encouraged elite in Lagos to visit ProgressiveLagosInitiative.org to join the movement.
He expressed confidence that Lagos, under Adediran, would progress with strong and sustained momentum.
Supporting the remarks, Dr Idowu Agarawu said elites had stayed on the sidelines for years, making the PLI essential for wider professional input.
Another leader, Alhaji Ahmed Buhari, said Lagos-based professionals must work together to secure the state’s continued growth.
Buhari said Adediran’s intellect, compassion, and grassroots strength made him fit to succeed Gov. Sanwo-Olu in 2027.
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