Sanwo-Olu Praises Ecobank’s Role in Urban Design and Development

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has commended Ecobank for its efforts in promoting high-quality design, construction and sustainable infrastructure during the Ecobank Build & Design Expo, where officials from government, private sector and built environment professionals gathered to explore how cities should be built to last. At the event, themed “How We Build, How We Live,” held at the Ecobank Pan African Centre in Victoria Island, the governor emphasised that the bank’s commitment to environmental sensitivity and inclusive design is helping Lagos meet its goals for a modern, resilient metropolis.

The Expo showcased dozens of exhibitors from across Nigeria and overseas, including architects, real estate developers, materials producers, interior designers and construction firms. Sanwo-Olu noted that this gathering was about more than aesthetics; it was about embedding principles of durability, efficiency, and equity into Lagos’s urban fabric. He urged that design and construction must respond to climatic realities, population pressures, and the need for public infrastructure that benefits all citizens. According to him, designers, artisans and small businesses should be recognised and supported, as they are the ones translating vision into real, lived spaces.

In his address, Sanwo-Olu also underscored the importance of supportive policies, regulatory consistency, and sustainable financing to ensure that good design is not a luxury but a norm. He argued that strong institutional frameworks and investment in local capacity are essential if Lagos is to deliver homes, public spaces, roads and utilities that remain functional and safe for future generations. Government, he said, must partner with the private sector to standardise building materials, ensure better environmental compliance and deploy technologies that reduce waste, energy consumption, and promote resilience.

Ecobank, for its part, was applauded for the smart building initiative and for using its own infrastructure—offices, design and construction spaces—to set benchmarks. The Ecobank Pan African Centre was cited as an example of what modern, intelligent buildings look like: energy-efficient, environmentally conscious, aesthetically pleasing and functional. Sanwo-Olu described it as aligning well with Lagos’s broader Smart City ambitions, making clear that infrastructure of this kind enhances business operations, staff productivity and public perception of the city.

Professionals present at the Expo also spoke about challenges in sourcing quality local materials, balancing cost with sustainability, and navigating regulatory bottlenecks. Several interior designers and small contractors stressed that although demand for quality design is rising, the cost of importing key materials, inconsistent power supply, and delays in obtaining building permits dampen progress. They welcomed the Expo as a platform to raise these issues, share innovations, and push for higher standards in Nigerian construction.

The governor’s praise of Ecobank was not just rhetorical. He used the opportunity to restate the Lagos government’s aim to create an urban environment that is not only physically modern but socially inclusive: infrastructure that gives access to all income levels, public facilities that are welcoming, and spaces that improve the quality of life for Lagosians. He also committed that Lagos will continue to support professionals in the built environment—architects, engineers, contractors, designers—by improving regulatory processes, offering incentives for sustainable construction, and promoting local content.

Observers say that Ecobank’s initiative is significant because it bridges private investment and public interest: a bank investing in its own building and design platforms sends signal that corporate Nigeria is willing to play a role in shaping better cities. It shows that the standards Lagos is aiming for are increasingly shared by private actors, not just government. This potentially accelerates the transformation of public infrastructure, commercial spaces, housing, and urban amenities across the city.

Still, the path forward will require persistence and attention to detail. Ensuring that local materials consistently meet quality standards, that environmental impact assessments are taken seriously, and that designs are maintained over time are some of the practical issues Sanwo-Olu and professionals will need to stay on top of. Additionally, financing for affordable housing, particularly for low- and middle-income residents, must keep pace with upscale development; otherwise, inequality in urban infrastructure may deepen.

Residents and sector watchers welcomed Sanwo-Olu’s remarks. Many believe the public recognition of Ecobank’s design work and smart building initiative helps raise awareness about urban design’s importance. It may encourage other corporations and developers to invest more in building practices that are resilient, sustainable and people-centred. Some also hope that the regulatory environment will become more supportive: faster approvals, better oversight, and incentives for green building.

In summary, by applauding Ecobank’s role in elevating standards of design and construction, Sanwo-Olu is underscoring that urban development in Lagos is not just about roads and walls but about building communities, preserving the environment, and thinking ahead. With rising population, climate challenges, and infrastructure demands, the governor’s message is that every building, road, bridge and public space must work for people now and for generations to come. Whether this momentum translates into measurable, on-the-ground improvements remains to be seen, but the alignment between government vision and private sector practice, as displayed at this Expo, offers a promising foundation.

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If you like, I can pull together an updated, breaking version if there are newer events past the Expo, especially from late September or October 2025, to ensure the very latest information.