Response to Osuji on Lagos Leadership and Hamzat's Role

The article is a response to Steve Osuji's commentary titled “What Can Kadri Hamzat Do?”, which questions the leadership in Lagos State. It defends Deputy Governor Dr.

Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, describing him as a qualified technocrat and the best candidate for Lagos' top job in 2027. The piece critiques Osuji's argument, suggesting it oversimplifies the complexities of governance and ignores the institutional progress made in Lagos over the past two decades.

It highlights Hamzat's extensive experience in the public sector and his role in implementing significant technological reforms, including enterprise-level digital governance systems. The article also addresses the challenges Lagos faces, such as political instability and economic fluctuations, while asserting that the state's leadership is not merely a puppet but a crucial component of its governance structure.

It concludes by questioning the validity of Osuji's comparisons between Lagos and Shenzhen, China, emphasizing the unique macroeconomic realities Lagos navigates.