Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s announcement that Lagos achieved a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $259 billion based on Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) has sparked controversy, with 2023 Labour Party governorship candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour criticizing the claim as disconnected from the realities faced by ordinary Lagosians.
Sanwo-Olu, in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, hailed the milestone as a testament to Lagos’ economic strength and resilience.
He highlighted key sectors such as infrastructure, technology, tourism, and manufacturing as drivers of sustainable growth, stating, “Lagos remains at the forefront of Africa’s economic transformation, and the best is yet to come.”*
However, Rhodes-Vivour fired back on Thursday, arguing that the celebrated economic progress has not translated into tangible improvements for the majority of Lagos residents. “Although a GDP of $259 billion is worth the applause, it is a clear demonstration of the tenacity, resilience, and enterprise of Lagosians, despite the glaring incompetence of the government,”he stated.
Rhodes-Vivour pointed to pressing issues such as housing shortages, skyrocketing rents, and poor infrastructure as evidence that the state’s economic growth has not benefited the working class.
“Our roads remain plagued by potholes, and streetlights in most communities are non-functional, contributing to security concerns. Public transportation remains insufficient for a city of our size, and our waste management systems require new thinking,” he added.
He also criticized the concentration of wealth among a small elite, while the majority of Lagosians grapple with stagnant wages and rising living costs.
“As I have always argued, true economic progress must be measured not just by GDP or IGR figures but by tangible improvements in the quality of our lives,” Rhodes-Vivour emphasized.
Concluding his statement, he asserted that until ordinary Lagosians have access to decent housing, reliable infrastructure, and essential public services, the state’s economic achievements will remain “hollow statistics that fail to reflect our lived experiences.”
The debate highlights the growing divide between economic statistics and the lived realities of citizens, raising questions about the inclusivity of Lagos’ economic growth under Sanwo-Olu’s administration.