Chaos is Profitable: The Governor of Lagos on Why Money is Hiding in Plain Sight

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu governs Lagos — a city of over 20 million people. From banking halls to public service, his journey reflects a larger question: What does it take to govern ambition at this scale? This conversation was hosted at the National Theater in collaboration with Lens for Good — empowering creatives to transform the Nigerian narrative, one story at a time. In this episode, the Governor opens up about what the world gets wrong about Lagos, why creatives are the city's first pitch to the world, and what keeps him up at night leading Africa's most chaotic, creative, and resilient city. "You know Burna Boy, you know Wizkid, you know Davido — I tell you, there are a thousand other Burna Boys and Wizkids somewhere waiting to be discovered. And they are there in Lagos." Join the Room by Afropolitan   / afropolitanpodcast   AUNTY'S SCULPTURE COLLECTION A limited collection by Anthony Azekwoh x Afropolitan. 100 pieces. Application only. Apply here: https://formless.ai/c/q1GB9jAzOWTr WHERE TO FIND MAI ATAFO Instagram:   / maiatafo   Atafo Brand:   / atafo__   EPISODE SPONSORS Vban - Open a free global account in minutes. Use code AFROPOLITAN: https://vban.com CONVO BY AFROPOLITAN Book 1:1 calls with Africa's boldest thinkers: https://convo.vip/ AFROPOLITAN Twitter/X: https://x.com/afropolitan Instagram:   / afropolitanpodcast   Newsletter: https://www.afropolitan.io/newsletter Patreon:   / afropolitanpodcast   TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 – Intro: What images come to mind when you think of Lagos? 1:29 – The two sides of Lagos: chaos and creativity 3:07 – The energy you can feel on every street 4:25 – The next Wizkid might be working in the same studio as you 5:27 – Governing through a burst of creativity (Wizkid concert, E1, Lagos Fashion Week) 6:35 – The E1 race: "They never believed we could put on the best" 7:57 – Breaking records is in Lagos' DNA 9:44 – What story does Lagos tell international investors? 10:02 – "Creatives open the conversation. Infrastructure closes the deal." 12:25 – What Lagos offers that no other African city can 13:52 – The "no giving up" spirit that defines Lagosians 14:47 – What do you tell creatives who see government as an obstacle? 17:01 – The one thing that can derail Lagos' creative momentum 18:34 – What keeps the Governor up at night 20:53 – 10 years from now: What should Lagos be known for?