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By Merit Ibe
Lagos State has become the first African government to join the Project Management Institute’s (PMI) Global Executive Council (GEC).
This move cements its leadership in governance and infrastructure delivery.
The GEC unites representatives from top organisations worldwide to collaborate on the latest project management practices, craft enriching learning and networking opportunities, and host vibrant events with influential thought leaders. The announcement was made by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in Lagos, when the state government hosted the PMI Board of Directors, global leadership and regional team.
It marked the first time PMI’s global board convened in Nigeria, underscoring the country’s growing significance in shaping global project management practices. Welcoming the 23-member PMI delegation, led by President and CEO Pierre Le Manh, Governor Sanwo-Olu described Lagos’s membership of the GEC as “a defining moment that aligns with our vision to institutionalise project management excellence across government and ensure timely, efficient delivery of infrastructure and social programmes for our citizens.
“In another 20 years, Lagos will be fully ready to take on the world. But to realize our 30-year development plan and advance the T.H.E.M.E.S+ agenda, we need world-class project management talent.
This partnership with PMI is, therefore, more than words; it is a declaration of intent and a demonstration of responsibility.”
The Governor highlighted flagship initiatives that embody Lagos’s transformation agenda, from the Blue Line Rail, which cuts commuting times from two hours to just 18 minutes, to the Lekki–Epe Expressway, serving Africa’s fastest-growing economic corridor, and the continent’s largest food logistics park, modelled after Paris’s renowned Rungis International Market.
Pierre Le Manh underscored Africa’s pivotal moment in global project management, noting, “Africa is entering what we call the Golden Age of Project Management, a period when the continent has the resources and ambition to build infrastructure at scale. “With its young, dynamic population and bold vision, Lagos has the potential to leapfrog traditional development models. We are honoured that Lagos State has chosen PMI as its partner in building this capability.”
At the reception, presentations showcased Lagos State’s infrastructure pipeline, including more than $122 billion in energy investments projected through 2045 and multiple rail lines currently under construction.
Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Abimbola Akinajo, reported that the Blue Line Rail now operates 90 daily trips with zero accidents since inception, transporting over 60,000 passengers each day, a testament to the state’s commitment to safe, efficient and sustainable urban mobility.
“Project management professionals are nation-builders, as vital to our progress as doctors, lawyers and public servants,” said Sanwo-Olu, who accepted the designation of PMI Africa Week Champion for Nigeria. “In a world where delivery defines success, investing in project talent is one of the most strategic choices any government can make.”
