Over 1,000 youths and artisans resident in Lagos are expected as the 2025 Greater Lagos Initiative (GLI) summit to advance discussion on collaborative governance, justice, equity, opportunity, and people-driven prosperity.
Adeniyi Olutimehin, president, Greater Lagos Initiative and convener of the summit, stated when he met with journalists in Ikeja.
This year’s edition of the summit is think “People, Power, and Progress: Building an Inclusive Future Through Patriotism, Egalitarianism, Innovations, and People-Centric Development in Lagos State.”
According to Olutimehin, participants at the summit slated for October, include, government ministries, departments, and agencies, traditional leaders and cultural custodians, civil society organisations and advocacy groups, youth-led movements, student unions, and social entrepreneurs.
Others include market leaders, artisans, and the informal sector, academic scholars and policy researchers, influencers, and the creative community, religious bodies and interfaith networks, representatives of persons with disabilities and underserved communities.
“This year’s edition will also be used to drive the accomplishment of our aspiration to execute projects like ‘‘Creativity House, Talent Exhibition and Empowerment of Young Entrepreneurs.”
Also, awards would be presented to eminent personalities, organisations and sponsors for their contribution towards the advancement of Lagos state,” he noted.
“This occasion signifies not just another entry on our calendar but a landmark in our collective quest to amplify inclusive governance, deepen citizen engagement, and accelerate people-oriented development in Lagos State.
“The Greater Lagos Summit was conceived out of an audacious desire to ignite citizen consciousness and institutionalise collaborative governance in the building of a Lagos not only adorned with physical infrastructure, but deeply rooted in justice, equity, opportunity, and people-driven prosperity.
“Over the past four editions, the summit has unequivocally proven itself a crucible of transformative thought, policy recalibration, and civic energy. Each edition has etched a legacy of robust engagement and pragmatic outcomes.
“Across these summits, one truth has remained constant and compelling: no progress is enduring without the people and no government can achieve greatness in isolation.
“In furtherance of this civic and strategic imperative, the summit has also: Established a safe and strategic forum where citizens have boldly, constructively, and respectfully pointed out governance lapses while prescribing realistic and transformative solutions.
“Undertaken relentless civic diagnostics, ensuring that policymakers are grounded in the true socio-economic realities that lie beneath layers of official data and bureaucratic assumptions.
