Lagos is leaving the rest of Nigeria behind dangerously

[1] And so this is the new look of the Maryland area of Lagos State. As we all know, Maryland is the vital junction that links the airport with Lagos mainland and is one of the first places visitors to Nigeria see

[2] Even while the rest of Nigeria was in recession over the last year, Lagos State simply refused to be. Its economy just kept growing, with non-stop expansion, infrastructural development and all sorts of initiatives

[3] As we speak, Lagos accounts for a quarter of Nigeria's gross domestic product (GDP) and about a third of non-oil GDP. That figure is growing by the day and at this rate, it is only a matter of time before Lagos State accounts for half of Nigeria's economy.

[4] Do you know that 80% of Nigeria's ATM machines are in Lagos? As we speak, it is the first place investors mention when invited to open facilities in Nigeria. Segun Aganga did a good job of wooing automobile assembly plants. In their discussions, all of them were looking at Lagos

[5] With a population of about 20m Lagos State is simply over-crowded but with it being the only place where we are seeing economic expansion, it is simply going to keep attracting more people. We humans are no different from other animals. In the savannah, every animal migrates towards the watering hole and in the desert, everyone veers towards the Oasis. Unless something drastic is done, Lagos will at some stage account for 50% of Nigeria's population

[6] What are the initiatives other states can introduce to attract investors and address this lop[sided development? First of all, I think the 12 states that have adopted Sharia need to have a rethink as it is very off0putting to investors. Nobody wants to open a facility where their male and female staff cannot congregate

[7] Over the last month or so, the Emir of Kano has spoken out against the 13th century version of Islam being practised in numerous parts of Nigeria. He is now under investigation by the establishment for his bravery.  - See more at: https://goo.gl/fHKS0f I just hope that the people of Kanop rise up in his defence and this marks a turning point

[8] Earlier this week, Joe Igboekwe also made a very interest contribution to the national dialogue when he castigated his kinsmen for backing Chief Ifeanyi Ubah who was being investigated for corruption. He called on Nigerians to eschew ethnicity and stop shouting when "one of theirs" was invited to answer questions about millions they had come across. Following from this, maybe other states should try and portray themselves as "corruption free" as a means of attracting investors. Other states need to do something drastic as the way things stand, they are simply not attractive to international finance capital

[9]  Just to give you an example of how things are moving in Nigeria at the moment, Lagos State has no problems attracting international investors to fund the Fourth Mainland Bridge or the Eko Atlantic City. However, I am yet to see one investor jump up and down about building a Third Niger Bridge between Delta and Anambra states. Likewise, investors are falling over each other to dredge the Badagry port but hey, is anyone interested in a similar investment in say Warri, Forcados, Port Harcourt, Ikot Abasi or Calabar?

[10] My challenge to everyone here is to come up with some big idea, that will make their state an investment haven. In the United Arabs Emirates, Dubai has left the rest of the country way behind. We are looking at a similar scenario in Lagos.