President Bola Tinubu has commissioned the newly rebuilt Lagos Governors’ Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, calling on public office holders to ensure that government-owned facilities are maintained and developed beyond their time in office.
Represented at the ceremony on Tuesday by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the President said leaders had a duty to protect public infrastructure and leave behind facilities that would benefit generations to come.
He noted that the performance of any administration should also be judged by the standard of public institutions and infrastructure it hands over to the people.
Tinubu described Lagos as a major commercial centre with a reputation for excellence, saying its standing in the country required public facilities that matched its importance and ambitions.
He praised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for completing the project, noting that the new building reflected the state government’s dedication to quality and prudent management of public resources.
The President maintained that government facilities were owned by the public and should therefore be properly maintained, upgraded and preserved for future use.
“Public assets belong to the people, and it is our responsibility as leaders to preserve what has been entrusted to us, improve it where necessary, and provide lasting infrastructure that future generations can inherit and benefit from,” he said.
He also acknowledged the commitment of the Lagos State Government and the various teams involved in delivering the project within the scheduled period.
Tinubu recalled that the previous lodge was pulled down in October 2025 to allow for the construction of a new complex, which he described as a suitable official accommodation for the Lagos governor and his family during their visits to Abuja.
He expressed the hope that the property would continue to provide comfort, peace and hospitality to future occupants under successive administrations.
Speaking at the event, Sanwo-Olu said the commissioning represented an important addition to the state’s infrastructure, explaining that the lodge was conceived to support official activities, high-level meetings and Lagos’ relationship with the Federal Government.
He explained that although Abuja became Nigeria’s capital in December 1991, Lagos still maintained considerable economic and political interests in the nation’s capital.
The governor pointed out that Lagos chief executives frequently travel to Abuja to participate in National Economic Council and Council of State meetings, alongside consultations with federal ministers, legislators, diplomats, their counterparts in other states and business investors.
According to him, the former building had served the state over the years but had become inadequate for Lagos’ expanding responsibilities and current standing.
Sanwo-Olu revealed that Julius Berger Nigeria Plc handled the reconstruction, which began in July 2025 and was concluded in September 2026.
He applauded the company for completing the assignment as scheduled, despite difficult aspects of the construction, particularly excavation activities that reached about 10 metres below ground level.
The governor said the new complex was an investment belonging to the people of Lagos and would support government activities, official receptions and engagements aimed at promoting the state’s interests.
With his tenure expected to end in May 2027, Sanwo-Olu said the project was intended to serve future governments rather than a particular administration, adding that public office holders should focus on creating enduring value.
“I believe a government should build things, not stay long for itself to enjoy,” he said.
Earlier, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat said the facility represented a stronger institutional presence for Lagos in Abuja, adding that it would support official assignments, government operations and hospitality.
Providing details of the project, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc Managing Director, Dr Peer Lubasch, disclosed that the complex covers about 2,700 square metres and consists of a principal residence, guest accommodation and a separate utility structure.
He explained that different companies within the Julius Berger Group contributed to the project, with PrimeTech responsible for the architectural and engineering designs, while other subsidiaries provided the windows, exterior façade elements and furniture.
Those present at the inauguration included former Lagos governors Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode, lawmakers, traditional leaders, government representatives, business executives and other prominent guests.
