By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Babajide Sanwo-Olu and electric tower |
BADAGRY, LAGOS – The Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, is scheduled to visit the Badagry West Local Council Development Area (LCDA) on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
The Governor’s mission is to officially commission a landmark re-electrification project designed to restore power to several border communities that have been plunged in darkness for over six consecutive years.
The historic event will be hosted by the Executive Chairman of Badagry West LCDA, Hon. Rauf Ibrahim Kayode (Yemaren). Chairman Yemaren, alongside top state cabinet members and traditional rulers, is prepared to receive the Governor for a ceremony that many residents believe marks the true "independence day" for the local economy.
This ambitious electrification project was executed by the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, in a strategic partnership with the **Lagos State Electrification Agency (LASEA). The technical scope of the project is a marvel of local engineering, specifically designed to withstand the unique coastal geography of the Badagry corridor.
Central to the project is the construction of three massive electrical distribution towers that cross the Gbaji Lagoon. This critical infrastructure serves as the backbone for the power supply, linking the mainland grid to the coastal communities. Furthermore, the project involved the extensive rehabilitation of dilapidated power lines and poles along the Gbaji–Seme and Owode–Apa axes.
The significance of this commissioning cannot be overstated. For the past six years, the absence of electricity has acted as a stranglehold on the local economy. Small-scale businesses the lifeblood of Badagry West have crumbled under the prohibitive costs of fueling generators, with many artisans and entrepreneurs forced to close shop entirely.
During this "dark era," the lack of power forced a peculiar and unsustainable dependence on the neighboring Republic of Benin. Residents were often forced to cross the border for basic services, while the local youth, deprived of legitimate economic engagement, increasingly found themselves lured into illegal cross-border activities. This project is expected to reverse that trend instantly.
The scale of the intervention is breathtaking. The project spans a 37.7-kilometer power distribution network, weaving through the heart of the border communities. To ensure stable voltage and prevent the "low current" issues of the past, the Lagos State Government has installed 51 modern distribution transformer substations at strategic intervals.
This infrastructure is not just about lighting up homes; it is a direct investment in the industrial potential of Badagry West. With 51 new substations, the region is now equipped to handle the energy demands of processing plants, cold rooms for the fishing industry, and large-scale hospitality ventures.
While the executive arm provided the funding, community leaders have pointed to the relentless advocacy of Hon. Solomon Bonu Saanu as the catalyst for the project. As the Member representing Badagry Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly and Chairman of the House Committee on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Bonu made the re-electrification of his constituency a top priority.
His role in facilitating state-level intervention has drawn widespread commendation from youth groups and community elders alike. Many residents believe that by restoring power, Hon. Bonu has effectively unlocked the "Tourism Gateway" of Lagos, allowing the ancient town to finally compete as a world-class destination.
Speaking ahead of the Governor’s arrival, Chairman Yemaren described the upcoming commissioning as a "defining milestone" for his administration and the people of the LCDA. He noted that solving the electricity crisis was the single most requested intervention from his constituents since he took office.
"This project represents a major step toward solving the long-standing electricity challenges faced by our coastal communities," Yemaren stated. He emphasized that the return of power would act as a "stimulus package" for local traders, barbers, tailors, and the burgeoning tech-savvy youth population in the area.
Security experts have also noted that the re-electrification will have a secondary, yet vital, benefit: improved safety. Well-lit streets and communities are naturally less conducive to the "illegal activities" that flourished during the six-year blackout. The return of power is expected to aid security agencies in monitoring the border regions more effectively.
The commissioning ceremony is expected to be a "who’s who" of Lagos politics and traditional leadership. High-ranking government officials, paramount rulers from across the Badagry Division, and political stakeholders are expected to converge at the Gbaji-Seme axis to witness the symbolic "switching on" of the lights.