Lagos State and California have formalised a sister-state relationship, opening a new chapter of cooperation between two major economic and cultural centres.
The partnership was commemorated at a ceremony held at the historic Leland Stanford Mansion in Sacramento, California, where Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and California Assemblymember Matt Haney signed the agreement.
The relationship was established through Assembly Concurrent Resolution 129 (ACR 129), authored by Haney and subsequently approved by the California Legislature. The resolution provides a framework for cooperation in areas including technology, innovation, creative industries, climate and environmental matters, education, trade, infrastructure, health, entrepreneurship and agriculture.
The ceremony was attended by members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, including the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Lukmon Saheed Olumoh, and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Kehinde Joseph.
Also present were California Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, who worked with Haney on the resolution, California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin, Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty, businessmen and members of the Nigerian community.
The Stanford Mansion, a Victorian-era building constructed in 1856 and named after former California Governor Leland Stanford, provided the setting for the signing ceremony.
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👉 JOIN WHATSAPP CHANNELThe event also featured a display of Lagos culture, with an Eyo masquerade performance accompanied by talking drums and Yoruba music by Nkan Eleduwa.
Speaking at the ceremony, Sanwo-Olu drew comparisons between the economies, creative sectors and technological ecosystems of Lagos and California.
“Lagos is a city-state of more than 20 million people, on a coast where the Atlantic meets the lagoon. If she were a country, she would be among the largest economies in Africa. She is where Nigeria banks, trades, films, sings and codes. Nollywood is her studio. Afrobeats is her voice, and I gather it has been heard in Los Angeles once or twice. Her young people, who are most of her, are the most restless and inventive people I know. From a few streets in Yaba they built the companies that now move money across a continent. She has new rail lines under her feet and, at Lekki, the deepest port in Nigeria. And she is not finished.”
The governor said the partnership was based on similarities between the two regions rather than charity, pointing to their respective strengths in entertainment, technology, ports and climate-related challenges.
“So, when Assembly member Haney and Assembly member Bryan chose Lagos, and when this Legislature passed ACR 129 with votes from both sides of the aisle, they were not doing charity. They were recognizing a mirror. California has Hollywood; Lagos has Nollywood. California has Silicon Valley; Lagos has Yaba. California has the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach; Lagos has Lekki. And both of us live in front of an ocean that is changing — you with your fires and your droughts, we with our floods and our rising tides. We have things to teach each other, and things to learn.”
Haney, who had previously visited Yaba, said he was enthusiastic about the possibilities created by the relationship. He highlighted opportunities in areas including fashion, food and culture and spoke about the connections between the young populations of Lagos and California.
“The possibilities and opportunities are limitless,” the assemblymember said.
The California law establishing the relationship similarly identifies technology and digital innovation, creative and cultural industries, climate and environmental stewardship, education, trade, infrastructure, health, biotechnology, entrepreneurship and sustainable agriculture as areas for potential collaboration.
Afretrade Chief Executive Officer, Lekan Salaam, also spoke at the event, recounting how his journey to California as a young man exposed him to opportunities associated with the American dream. He now runs a company that promotes investment in Nigeria.
The Lagos State Government said the partnership would provide opportunities for deeper economic, technological and cultural exchanges between both regions.
The relationship also builds on existing links between Lagos, California and the Nigerian diaspora. Haney has said the partnership could create new opportunities for businesses, entrepreneurs, artists and innovators in both regions, particularly in technology, clean energy, education, trade, health and the creative economy.
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