- Governing Lagos Requires Flexible, Learning Institutions – Oniru of Iru
- The monarch observed that discussions on urban governance in Africa often emphasise failure and weak institutions
- Oba Lawal said requires institutional learning
The Oniru of Iru, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, has called for stronger investments in knowledge-driven institutions to boost urban governance and economic resilience in Lagos.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Oba Lawal delivered the 2026 Distinguished Personality Lecture Series at Lagos State University (LASU) on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway in Ojo, Lagos. His lecture, titled “Urban Governance and the Knowledge Economy: Strengthening Institutions for a 21st Century Lagos,” highlighted the importance of adaptive governance in rapidly growing cities.
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The monarch observed that discussions on urban governance in Africa often emphasise failure and weak institutions. Lagos, however, presents a contrasting story.
“Despite rapid population growth, overstretched infrastructure, congestion, and regulatory challenges, Lagos continues to function by adapting its institutions rather than relying on rigid or static systems,” he said.
Oba Lawal explained that governing a megacity like Lagos in the 21st century is less about perfect systems or fixed models and more about the ability of institutions to learn, reform, and respond under pressure.
He highlighted factors such as population growth, technological change, climate risks, public health shocks, and inequality, noting that policies cannot remain permanent in such a dynamic environment.
Urban governance in the knowledge economy, Oba Lawal said, requires institutional learning, where governance structures are flexible enough to evolve while maintaining public trust, legitimacy, and stability.
Oniru of Iru, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, Lagos State University, LASU lecture, urban governance Lagos, knowledge economy, institutional resilience, 21st century cities, Lagos megacity, adaptive governance
