- Oniru Chronicles Lagos Journey in New Memoir
- The book is titled “From City to Megacity: A Memoir of Lagos Urbanisation (1999 to 2023)”
- The book outlines the progress made under various administrations
The Oniru of Iruland, Oba Abdulwasiu Lawal, is set to unveil his much-anticipated memoir today, titled “From City to Megacity: A Memoir of Lagos Urbanisation (1999 to 2023).”
Eko Hot Blog reports that the book chronicles the transformation of Lagos State over a span of 24 years, blending historical insight, policy analysis, and personal perspective.
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Describing the memoir as both a tribute to Lagos’s evolution and a call for thoughtful, forward-looking urban leadership, the monarch draws on his extensive background as a public official, policy executor, and now a traditional leader.
He explained that the inspiration for the book came from a thought-provoking question raised during a conference: “Is Lagos truly prepared for the urban future?” This question led him to reflect deeply, gather facts, and start an honest dialogue with both leaders and citizens about the city’s development path.
“More than anything, “From City to Megacity” is a book for everyone who cares about Lagos—its future, its people, and its possibilities. It invites development partners, future leaders, civil servants, and community members to reflect, learn, and act.
“This work argues that the city’s transformation deserves thoughtful documentation, critical analysis, and—most importantly—sustained engagement. It invites readers to see Lagos not only for what it is, but also for what it strives to become,” Oba Lawal asserts.
According to Oba Abdulwasiu Lawal, the book follows a timeline and theme-based structure, beginning with a depiction of Lagos before 1999, an era marked by disorganized urban growth, weak infrastructure, poor waste management, and an inadequate public transport system.
He explained that the book also outlines the progress made under various administrations, highlighting key developments such as the establishment of LAMATA, the launch of the BRT system, LagosHoms housing projects, improvements in waste disposal through LAWMA and PSP operators, and enhancements in public safety. It also lays out a vision for the city over the next ten years.
The monarch emphasized that the book addresses core themes including transportation, waste management, housing, security, agriculture, and public engagement everyday challenges that directly impact the lives of Lagos residents.
He added that the memoir draws on insights from his global academic experience, especially from the London School of Economics, where he earned an Executive Master’s in Cities. This background gives the book a reflective and comparative perspective on how cities like Lagos can achieve sustainable growth while prioritizing the needs of their people.
