Follow Us on Google
By Zika Bobby
As Lagos continues its rapid transformation into Africa’s primary economic powerhouse, the debate over its next leadership is shifting toward technical competence, digital innovation and institutional stability. Leading this charge is Dr Mike Oladunjoye Egbayelo, a management consultant, national business development expert and Convener of Lagos Technocrats 4 Hamzat.
In this interview, Dr Egbayelo breaks down why governing a modern megacity demands more than conventional political strategy. Pointing to concrete initiatives already under way, such as upskilling thousands of Lagos teachers and training youth in artificial intelligence and remote employment, he outlines a compelling vision for continuity with innovation. He discusses why Deputy Governor Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat represents the ideal bridge between deep public sector experience and forward looking, technology driven governance.
You are the Convener of Lagos Technocrats 4 Hamzat. What informed the decision to establish the group?
Lagos Technocrats 4 Hamzat was established out of a conviction that the next phase of Lagos development requires leadership that combines political experience with technical competence, institutional understanding and a clear vision for the future.
Lagos is no longer a city that can be governed through conventional approaches alone. We are dealing with a population that is growing rapidly, increasing pressure on infrastructure, climate and environmental challenges, traffic, housing, employment, digital transformation and the need to remain competitive in a global economy.
We believe Dr Hamzat represents the type of leadership required for this next phase. He is a technocrat who understands government, understands infrastructure and has been deeply involved in the development of Lagos over many years.
Our support is therefore about competence, continuity, capacity and the future of Lagos.
Why specifically Hamzat? What distinguishes him from other potential aspirants?
Dr Hamzat brings something very important to the table, and that is experience, without losing sight of innovation. He has served Lagos at different levels and has had the opportunity to understand the workings of government from the inside. His background in engineering and his experience in public administration give him a strong appreciation of both technical and governance issues.
But beyond qualifications, we are looking at his understanding of Lagos. To govern Lagos effectively, you must understand its economy, its people, its infrastructure, its relationship with the private sector and its position as Nigeria’s commercial capital. We believe Hamzat possesses that institutional knowledge.
He has also worked closely in successive administrations and understands the development philosophy that has guided Lagos in recent years. We see him as someone capable of building on what works, correcting what needs improvement and introducing new ideas where necessary. Some people may argue that Lagos needs a completely new direction rather than continuity.
Continuity does not mean maintaining everything exactly as it is. There is a difference between continuity of good governance and simply repeating old policies.
Every successful institution builds on its achievements while adapting to new realities. Lagos has made significant progress in areas such as transportation, infrastructure, technology, urban development, healthcare and economic development. The next governor should not throw away those gains. At the same time, there are areas that require stronger interventions. Our position is that Hamzat can provide continuity with innovation. We want a Lagos that is more productive, more inclusive, more technologically advanced and more responsive to the needs of ordinary citizens.
You describe your organisation as a group of technocrats. Why should technocrats be interested in politics?
Technocrats cannot afford to stay away from governance. Policies affect every aspect of our professional and economic lives. Whether you are an engineer, doctor, accountant, banker, teacher, entrepreneur, lawyer, ICT professional, economist or business consultant, government decisions affect your work. The idea behind Lagos Technocrats 4 Hamzat is to encourage professionals to participate constructively in the political process. We are not saying that technocrats should replace politicians. Rather, we believe politics and technical expertise should complement each other. A modern government needs political legitimacy, but it also needs data, research, planning, innovation and professional expertise. That is the philosophy behind our movement.
What are the major issues you expect Dr Hamzat to address if elected governor?
There are several. First is economic development and job creation. Lagos must remain the number one destination for investment in Nigeria while ensuring that young people and small businesses benefit from economic growth. Second is infrastructure. We need continuous investment in roads, drainage, public transportation, water infrastructure and urban renewal. Third is technology and artificial intelligence. Lagos should become a leading African centre for digital government, artificial intelligence, robotics and technology driven businesses. Fourth is education and human capital development. We need an education system that prepares young Lagosians for the jobs of the future.
Fifth is environmental sustainability and climate resilience. Flooding, waste management, coastal vulnerability and environmental degradation require long term solutions. Sixth is housing and urban planning. Lagos needs innovative approaches to affordable housing and sustainable urban development.
And finally, we need stronger collaboration between government, businesses, professional bodies, communities and development partners.
You have mentioned technology. What role do you see technology playing in the next Lagos administration?
Technology should no longer be treated as an isolated sector. It should become part of the operating system of government. We should have more digital public services, better use of data, smart traffic management, technology enabled security, digital education and stronger support for technology entrepreneurs.
I also believe Lagos should introduce stronger exposure to robotics, artificial intelligence, coding and digital skills from the basic education level, in age appropriate ways. Our young people are competing globally. We cannot continue preparing them only for yesterday’s economy.
What is your position on youth unemployment and entrepreneurship?
Youth employment must be treated as an economic development issue, not merely as a social welfare issue. We need to create an ecosystem where young people can acquire skills, start businesses, access finance and connect with markets.
Government cannot employ everybody. But government can create an environment where millions of people can create value. This means supporting MSMEs, vocational training, technology businesses, creative industries, agriculture, manufacturing, logistics and the green economy.
Our vision is a Lagos where a young person does not necessarily have to wait for a government job before becoming economically productive.
What makes you confident that Hamzat can deliver on these expectations?
Because we are not supporting an unknown quantity. Dr Hamzat has been part of Lagos governance for many years. He understands the machinery of government and the complexity of managing Lagos. That experience matters. But experience alone is not enough. What gives us confidence is the combination of technical background, public sector experience, institutional knowledge and exposure to the development challenges of Lagos. We believe he is well positioned to move from policy formulation to even more effective implementation.
Your group talks about Lagos Technocrats. Is this movement limited to professionals?
No. Technocrats 4 Hamzat is conceived as a platform driven by professionals and people who believe in competence based leadership, but our message is for every Lagosian. The market woman, artisan, civil servant, student, entrepreneur, transport worker, teacher, engineer, business owner and professional all have a stake in the future of Lagos. We want to build a broad coalition around ideas and competence.
Are you campaigning primarily for Hamzat because of his political affiliation?
Our support goes beyond party affiliation. Of course, political parties are important vehicles in our democratic system, but our argument is fundamentally about leadership capacity and what is best for Lagos. We believe Lagos requires someone who understands its peculiarities and can provide effective leadership at this critical stage of its development. For us, that person is Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat.
What is your message to Lagosians who are still undecided about who should govern the state next?
I would encourage them to look beyond slogans and personalities. Ask the fundamental questions. Who understands Lagos? Who has the experience? Who has demonstrated competence? Who can manage the complexity of the state’s economy? Who can work with different stakeholders? Who understands infrastructure, technology, education and human capital development? When you examine those questions objectively, we believe Dr Hamzat deserves serious consideration. Elections should ultimately be about the future.
Some critics may say that supporting a candidate before the election is simply political patronage. How do you respond?
I completely disagree. Citizens have a right to make political choices based on their assessment of candidates and their vision for society. Our support is not based on personal patronage. It is based on our assessment of leadership capacity. Indeed, one of the reasons professionals should participate in politics is to ensure that public debate goes beyond personalities and focuses on policies, competence and measurable outcomes. We intend to engage with ideas. As a matter of fact, we have demonstrated our support in several ways. We upskilled over 1,000 public and private school teachers in Lagos in learning styles and learner centric pedagogy in the 21st century recently. We are currently running a global employability and access to remote jobs pathways training programme for over 1,000 Lagos youths. We will be flagging off artificial intelligence training for 1,000 youths at all centres of New Horizon Limited to demonstrate our commitment to the Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat project.
What specific expectations would Lagos Technocrats 4 Hamzat place before a Hamzat administration?
We would expect a government that is highly performance driven. We would like to see measurable targets for employment, infrastructure, education, digital transformation, healthcare, environmental management and ease of doing business. We would also encourage stronger public private partnerships and greater engagement with professional associations and organised business. We want government to publish clear development priorities and periodically communicate its progress to the people. In short, we want a government that can be measured by results.
What is your vision for Lagos under Dr Hamzat?
Our vision is of a Lagos that is Africa’s leading subnational economy and one of the world’s most competitive, innovative and liveable megacities. We want Lagos to become a stronger technology and innovation hub, a centre for manufacturing and logistics, a destination for international investment, a city where young people can find opportunities, and a state where infrastructure grows alongside population. We want a Lagos where government uses technology to improve the quality of life of citizens. And importantly, we want development to reach communities across the state.
Finally, what is your message as Convener of Lagos Technocrats 4 Hamzat?
Our message is simple. The future of Lagos requires competent leadership. We are supporting Hamzat because we believe he possesses the experience, technical understanding, institutional knowledge and leadership capacity required to take Lagos into its next phase.
But our support should not be interpreted as a blank cheque. We are advocating for a Lagos that is more prosperous, more technologically advanced, more environmentally sustainable, more inclusive and more competitive. We believe Hamzat can provide the leadership required to achieve that vision.
Lagos has always been a city of possibilities. The challenge before us is to ensure that the next generation inherits a Lagos that is better than the one we inherited. That is why Lagos Technocrats 4 Hamzat is standing up, speaking out and mobilising professionals and citizens around a vision of competent, innovative and accountable leadership for Lagos.
