Transforming Nigeria’s urban agenda

Public lecture hosted by Firoz Lalji Centre for Africa and LSE Cities

Babatunde Fashola is Nigeria’s Federal Minister of Power, Works and Housing. Formerly, as the Lagos State Governor, his vision was to transform Africa’s largest city into a business-friendly hub through revenue collection reform, taming lawlessness, building roads and fast-tracking mega projects like Eko Atlantic City, which was also expected to provide homes for the rapidly growing urban population. Fashola’s focus on the housing and infrastructure required to support not only Lagos’ but also national aspirations, has continued in his new portfolio. This talk explored the challenges and opportunities of responding to these needs from his new role in the Federal Capital Abuja.

Photography courtesy: Peter Griffiths

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    Babatunde Fashola

    Babatunde Raji Fashola, is a Nigerian politician who is currently the Federal Minister of Power, Works and Housing. He was Lagos State Governor for two four year terms from May 2007 to May 2015. Born in Lagos, Fashola studied Law at the University of Benin and after going through Nigerian Law School was called to the Nigerian bar as a solicitor and advocate of the Supreme Court.

    Ricky Burdett

    Ricky Burdett is Professor of Urban Studies at the London School of Economics (LSE), and director of LSE Cities and the Urban Age project. He is a member of the Mayor of London’s Cultural Leadership Board, and was chief advisor on Architecture and Urbanism for the London 2012 Olympics and architectural advisor to the Mayor of London from 2001 to 2006. He was director of the International Architecture Exhibition at the Venice Biennale in 2006. With Deyan Sudjic he is co-editor of The Endless City (2007) and Living in the Endless City (2011) and, with Philipp Rode Shaping Cities in an Urban Age (2018).