Youths in Lagos State have described, as misguided, the stance of their northern peers to the proposed conversion of the 37 LCDAs in the state to LGAs.
In a press statement made by the Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Lagos State Chapter, Engr. Adigun Ibrahim Olalekan, the youth umbrella body faulted the northern youths’ position adding that the proposed development is long overdue.
Recall that some northern youths had, through a press statement by the president of its national ethnic body, Isah Abubakar, described the bill, which passed its second reading on the floor of the green chamber on Wednesday, 26th March 2025 as ‘unfair and a threat to the National unity.’
The bill was proposed by the caucus of Lagos lawmakers in the House of Representatives to give legislative support for the enlistment of the 37 development council areas in Lagos State as full-fledged local government areas.
According to Engr Adigun, “We read with utter dismay the position of a northern ethnic body about the imminent conversion of the 37 LCDAs in Lagos State to LGAs. Their position is not only unfair to Lagos state but portends a threat to Nigeria’s unity.
“Over the years, Lagos has been able to meet the daily demands of immigrant from across the country that flock the state on daily basis for opportunities by way of effective decentralization of governance. The creation of the 37 LCDAs 20 years ago was to bring government closer to the people at the grassroots in order to fast-track development.
“While LGA creation may not necessarily be by landmass or population, isn’t it unfair that Alimosho that is bigger than Bayelsa state is just a local government while this same Bayelsa State has eight local government areas. Kano and Katsina today boast of 44 and 34 LGAs respectively while Lagos; the economic capital of the country has just 20,” Adigun said.
He therefore urged the northern youth to look beyond ethnic line and prioritize national development as he charged them to task their lawmakers in the National Assembly to push for necessary development in their region.
“We will advise this set of nothern youth, if they so care, to come to Lagos and take a tour round these LCDAs to see for themselves that indeed, their conversion is a needed development. Also, rather than feeling needlessly threatened by the imminent development in Lagos, we will urge them to also encourage their representatives in the National Assembly to push for more development in their region in the interest of the nation”, he concluded.
