By Nathaniel Zaccheaus, Abuja
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has urged Lagos and the five other South-West states to adopt a joint regional development and investment plan to coordinate infrastructure, attract investments and accelerate economic growth.
Bamidele said the proposed Lagos-South-west Spatial Development and Investment Compact would enable Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti to harmonise priorities, coordinate cross-border infrastructure and unlock investment opportunities across the region.
He proposed this on Thursday while delivering a keynote address at the Lagos Physical Planning Summit at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
According to a statement issued by his Media Office in Abuja, Bamidele said Lagos could not achieve sustainable prosperity through isolated state planning because of its extensive economic, social and infrastructural links with neighbouring states.
He identified transportation, housing, agriculture, manufacturing, trade, labour markets and environmental management as areas requiring stronger regional cooperation.
“Lagos’ long-term prosperity cannot be secured through isolated state planning alone. Its economy is closely connected to neighbouring states through shared boundaries, labour markets, housing, agriculture, manufacturing, transportation logistics, trade and environmental systems,” he said.
Bamidele said the proposed compact would provide a framework for the six states to identify common infrastructure priorities, strengthen regional economic corridors and attract investments in projects whose benefits extend beyond individual state boundaries.
He called for the participation of the six state governments, relevant federal institutions, planning authorities, infrastructure agencies, private-sector operators, professional bodies and development partners in designing and implementing the initiative.
The Senate leader urged Lagos to take the lead by developing a practical framework that would translate regional ambitions into clearly defined projects with measurable economic and social benefits.
He also challenged the state to move beyond traditional physical planning, arguing that planning should serve as an instrument for economic growth, social welfare and environmental sustainability.
“Lagos must move from planning as a governmental activity to planning as a coordinated system for delivering economic value, social welfare, environmental resilience and regional prosperity,” Bamidele said.
He stressed that the compact would require effective coordination mechanisms, agreed priorities and adequate financial resources to execute identified projects.
Bamidele also urged Lagos to accelerate digital transformation through expanded broadband infrastructure, smart-city technologies, stronger digital public services and more innovation hubs to support technology-driven businesses.
He said investment in digital infrastructure and skills development would strengthen Lagos’ competitiveness and expand opportunities for residents as technology reshapes economic activities and employment.
The Senate leader argued that physical planning, digital transformation and regional economic cooperation should be integrated into a comprehensive development strategy rather than pursued separately.
He said the success of Lagos’ development ambitions would depend on institutional strength, regulatory consistency, transparent financing and effective collaboration among stakeholders.
“The future of Lagos will depend not only on the quality of its development plans, but also on the determination with which those plans are financed, coordinated and implemented,” he said.
Bamidele further called for stronger institutional capacity, predictable regulations, transparent financing arrangements and responsible investments to promote sustainable development.
He urged government institutions, private-sector operators, professional bodies, communities and development partners to sustain collaboration, saying partnerships were essential to achieving lasting economic benefits.
The Senate leader said regional planning would enable Lagos and its neighbouring states to maximise their individual strengths, overcome fragmented development and build a more integrated South-west economy.
