A coalition of Lagos professionals known as Eko United has announced the launch of the Progressive Lagos Initiative (PLI), a platform it said is designed to enable experts across sectors to contribute to governance and policy development in the state.
The announcement was made at a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday.
In its statement, the group said it is a body of “Lagos professionals and innovators driving progressive governance,” adding that it aims to “mobilize elite expertise and champion stability, competence, and leadership to advance a smarter Lagos.”
Eko United said the grassroots have long sustained the state’s political structure and that the time has come for Lagos professionals to take a more active role.
“For decades, the grassroots of Lagos have carried the political responsibility of sustaining democracy and leadership… But now, the moment has come for the elite class of Lagos, the thinkers, builders, and innovators to step up as co-architects of our collective future,” the group said.
Explaining the reason for establishing the PLI, the coalition said Lagos has expanded into a megacity with new complexities, but “for too long, our brightest solutions have remained outside the decision table.”
It described the PLI as “a platform for professionals, technocrats, academics, innovators, and leaders across sectors to contribute practical reforms,” adding that the initiative will draw on Lagos’ intellectual capacity for its next phase of development.
Eko United said it has met with former Lagos governorship candidate Olajide Adediran, (Jandor) and decided to adopt him as its preferred choice ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
“In our search for leadership alignment, we met… JANDOR… and informed him of our unanimous decision to adopt him as the beacon that signposts the practical path to actualising the Lagos we all desire,” the group said.
According to the statement, Jandor accepted the adoption on two conditions, “one is for the PLI to give similar support for President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 and two; unwavering loyalty to APC regardless of the outcome of its 2027 governorship primaries.”
The group said it agreed to the conditions, noting that “governance is not chaos, it is structure, stability, and leadership.”
Eko United urged professionals in Lagos to join the initiative.
“To the elite minds of Lagos, you power the economy, you build innovation, you sustain the city’s growth. Now, bring your expertise into governance. Join the Progressive Lagos Initiative. Submit your proposals. Contribute to the blueprint for a Greater Lagos Progression,” it said.
The group added that the platform is open to all and that its goal is to build the policy foundation for the next administration in Lagos.
“We are not unaware that INEC has not yet lifted the ban on campaigns for the 2027 general elections. Eko United is simply sensitizing Lagos’ elite and professionals to get prepared for the important civic assignment ahead,” it said.
