Lagos Makes History As First African Government To Join PMI Global Executive Council

According to Ireporter Online, Lagos State has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first African government to join the Project Management Institute’s (PMI) Global Executive Council (GEC), a prestigious international body that brings together top institutions shaping the future of project management across the world.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu made the announcement during a reception at Lagos House, Marina, where he hosted PMI’s board members, global executives, and regional leaders. The event marked PMI’s first-ever global board meeting in Nigeria—an acknowledgment of the country’s growing influence in global governance and infrastructure delivery.

Sanwo-Olu described Lagos’s inclusion as a “defining moment” in the state’s development journey, aligning with its mission to institutionalize world-class project management practices in governance and fast-track the timely delivery of infrastructure and social initiatives. He emphasized that the partnership supports the state’s long-term 30-year development plan and advances the T.H.E.M.E.S+ agenda, which prioritizes sustainable economic growth and human capital development.

Highlighting landmark projects such as the Blue Line Rail, the Lekki–Epe Expressway, and the Lagos Food Logistics Hub modeled after Paris’s Rungis International Market, the governor affirmed that Lagos was setting new standards in urban transformation and economic innovation across Africa.

PMI President Pierre Le Manh praised Lagos for its visionary leadership, noting that Africa is entering a “Golden Age of Project Management” — a period characterized by vast infrastructure ambitions and growing expertise. He lauded Lagos’s commitment to professional capacity building, describing it as a model for other African governments.

The development coincides with Nigeria’s hosting of the first-ever PMI Africa Week in October 2025, an initiative focused on addressing the continent’s projected shortage of over 200,000 project professionals by 2035. Lagos’s pledge to certify its public servants in project management represents the first government-led effort of its kind in Africa, reflecting a deep commitment to efficiency and institutional excellence.

PMI Sub-Saharan Africa Managing Director, George Asamani, noted that Lagos’s endorsement of project management certification would create “unstoppable momentum” across the continent, emphasizing that effective project governance is as vital as physical infrastructure in driving sustainable growth.

During the event, officials showcased the state’s ambitious infrastructure pipeline, including over $122 billion in projected energy investments through 2045 and multiple rail developments underway. Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) Managing Director, Engr. Abimbola Akinajo, reported that the Blue Line Rail now operates 90 daily trips, safely transporting more than 60,000 passengers without a single accident — a feat symbolizing Lagos’s commitment to safety and efficiency.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, who was also named PMI Africa Week Champion for Nigeria, reaffirmed his belief that project management professionals are nation-builders, essential to progress just as doctors, lawyers, and engineers are. The evening concluded with vibrant cultural performances celebrating Lagos’s status as Africa’s entertainment capital.

The PMI delegation, made up of 12 board directors from around the world, wrapped up its visit after a series of high-level engagements. However, the PMI Africa Week activities, including certification drives and leadership sessions, continue through October, solidifying Lagos’s position as a rising hub for global collaboration, innovation, and excellence in project leadership.