Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Sunday expressed his determination to finish strong.
He stated his hope to hand over the state better to the next person who will take it to a higher level.
This is as he highlighted major economic, infrastructural and cultural gains recorded by the State in 2025.
The governor said that the achievements underscored the need for collective gratitude to God for His unfailing mercies.
Sanwo-Olu spoke at the 26th edition of the Lagos State Annual Thanksgiving Service held at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos.
It had the theme: “Grateful for His Unfailing Mercies.”
He said that 2025 witnessed milestones that strengthened Lagos’ position as Nigeria’s economic nerve centre and an emerging global destination.
He highlighted major achievements to include: progress on the Lagos coastal highway, restoration of the National Theatre, hosting of the E1 Lagos Grand Prix, and the successful staging of GITEX Nigeria.
“From the progress recorded on the Lagos coastal highway to the restoration of the National Theatre, and the successful hosting of global events such as the E1 Lagos Grand Prix and GITEX Nigeria, we have seen God’s hand clearly at work in our state,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu noted that Lagos also emerged as Nigeria’s top-performing state in the 2025 Sub-National Ease of Doing Business ranking, released by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council.
“To rise from the lower ranks a few years ago to number one in the country is not accidental.
“It reflects deliberate reforms, infrastructure investment and a stable policy environment,” he said.
The governor said that the achievements reinforced the importance of thanksgiving, stressing that gratitude was not limited to religious affiliation but a shared human response to peace and progress.
“You do not have to belong to a particular faith to recognise the value of gratitude; When God grants peace, stability and opportunity, thanksgiving becomes a responsibility,” he said.
Quoting from the biblical verse of Lamentations 3:22–23, Sanwo-Olu said that God’s mercies remained constant in spite of the passage of time.
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies are new every morning, as sure as the sunrise,” he said.
He explained that the 2026 service marked the seventh annual thanksgiving organised by his administration since assuming office in 2019.
“Our first thanksgiving in 2020 started with a dream; Each year, the themes have reminded us to glorify God and to rededicate ourselves to service,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu acknowledged President Bola Tinubu for instituting the thanksgiving tradition more than two decades ago while serving as governor of Lagos State.
“We remain grateful to Mr President for the foresight that birthed this annual thanksgiving; A tradition that has endured for over 26 years,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Reflecting on challenges faced in 2025, the governor said that the state also experienced difficult moments, including fire outbreaks and flooding incidents.
“Our thoughts remain with families who lost loved ones, property or livelihoods; We continue to pray for comfort and healing,” he said.
He assured residents that the state would continue to strengthen safety standards and emergency response, while commending emergency responders and health workers for their sacrifices.
On the outlook for 2026, he noted that the year would be a defining year, with about 500 days remaining in the life of his administration.
He said that 2026 would be a year of deliberate action, driven by the state’s THEMES Plus agenda and supported by the 2026 Budget of Shared Prosperity.
“We are determined to make 2026 a year of extraordinary meaning; We will complete and commission major projects across health, transport, education, housing and infrastructure.
“We are determined to finish strong and to hand over Lagos to the next level of leadership in a better state than we met it,” he said.
More so, he assured that the state would complete and commission major projects across health, transport, education and infrastructure line, supported by the 2026 Budget of Shared Prosperity.
The governor concluded by urging residents to embrace gratitude, unity and hope in the new year.
“We are gathered to make a joyful noise unto the Lord, for His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to all generations,” he said.
