Sanwo-Olu Hails Oniru Business Council as Blueprint for Responsible Development

​Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has lauded the newly inaugurated Oniru Business Council (OBC) and the Iru Business Network (IBN) as a definitive model of how traditional leadership can catalyze responsible urban development and economic inclusivity.

​Speaking during the formal inauguration and Cultural Day celebration at the Oniru Palace in Victoria Island last Saturday, the Governor described the initiative as a “strategic governance platform” that harmonizes heritage with modern commerce. Represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Sanwo-Olu emphasized that the transformation of the Iru Kingdom—from a predominantly residential enclave into a premier global destination for real estate, creative arts, and hospitality—is a testament to the power of structured partnership.

​A Legacy of Inclusive Growth

​The Governor noted that the initiative aligns seamlessly with the state’s T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Development Agenda, which focuses on social inclusion and making Lagos a 21st-century economy.

​”In Lagos, we have deliberately embraced the principle of an inclusive economy,” Sanwo-Olu stated. “The Oniru Business Council provides a model where culture becomes an asset and prosperity is shared. It affirms that tradition and progress are not opposing forces, but complementary pillars.”

​He further assured the business community of continued stability and a business-friendly environment as the state enters another electoral cycle, stressing that the government’s focus remains on expanding pathways for SMEs and digital entrepreneurs.

​The Power of “Peace Through Partnership”

​The Oniru of Iru Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal (Abisogun II), characterized the Council’s birth as the institutionalization of his kingdom’s #LeGIT (Let’s Grow Iruland Together) vision.

​The monarch revealed that the OBC and the Iru Business Network were born from five years of rigorous consultation with residents, artisans, and corporate expatriates. The network is designed to function as a “living registry” of businesses, facilitating structured dialogue and reducing the friction often found between host communities and investors.

​”Growth must be coordinated, dialogue must be structured, and prosperity must be inclusive,” the Oba remarked. “We are building more than an event; we are building confidence, structure, and shared accountability.”

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​Strengthening the Ease of Doing Business

​Echoing the monarch’s sentiments, the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Bada-Ambrose, highlighted the Council’s role in improving the ease of doing business. She noted that the platform provides a critical interface between the private sector and government MDAs to address practical challenges like infrastructure financing and regulatory clarity.

​The Oniru Business and Cultural Day, which debuted on Valentine’s Day, featured curated exhibitions and business dialogues, signaling a shift toward a more organized, forward-facing Lekki-Victoria Island commercial corridor.