The Lagos State Government on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on economic growth with the City UK.
The agreement is between Lagos International Financial Centre (LIFC) and the City UK (TCUK).
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, at the event, said that it was important to set up the LIFC, which is the first in Sub-Africa Sahara.
“Now with what the UK Government has demonstrated, to support us, to handle us, and to help us navigate whatever we’ve lost, whatever minefields that are in the way of the journey at achieving this set of objectives.
“It is about the conversation of putting our country, and putting the investable public, both local and international, on a platform that will make businesses work better, that will create an ambiance of a more predictable, reliable financial center in this part of the world,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu, who is the Chairman of the LIFC council, said that the signing of the MoU has started another level of engagement.
“Let me acknowledge the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, a simple but very important document between the Lagos State Government and the enterprise, as the partner on the other side.
“Around two years ago, whilst we had, like the big dreams and big ideas on how to reverse the Lagos International Financial Centre, Council has been set up, engagements have been heard, trips have been made, contacts have been made, doors have been opened,” he said.
The governor admitted that there have been challenges, but the government has resolved to take the bull by the horns and move forward.
“Will the road be rough? It will be, but we are committed that Nigeria will scrape it and will renew the road. Will we have challenges? That’s why we’re here, there will be challenges, there will be obstacles, but we’re more resolute, we’re committed.
“We’re the team that will see from both sides that we will not stop at anything, but we will achieve our set of objectives. And so, for me, it’s just to encourage all of those voices, and to say that we’re on the right track,” he said.
Mr Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, the co-chair of LIFC’s council, applauded the governor’s initiative to embark on the project.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that present at the signing were the secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, the Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro, Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Abayomi Oluyomi and Commissioner for Economic Planning & Budget, Mr. Ope George.
