Business
LADIPO Johnson, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Lagos Central Senatorial District, has urged the Lagos State Government to remove homeless people from streets and highways across the metropolis.
Johnson made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, in Lagos.
He advised the government to provide a sustainable rehabilitation and social support programmes for them.
He added that while every citizen deserved dignity and compassion, allowing people to sleep under bridges, on road medians and along expressways posed security, environmental and public health concerns.
“Government should urgently address the increasing number of homeless people on our streets; not by merely relocating them but by providing shelters; rehabilitation programmes; healthcare and opportunities that will restore their dignity,” he said.
Johnson said the presence of homeless persons in strategic locations could expose the state to security risks.
He added that authorities should strengthen mechanisms to identify genuine residents and discourage illegal migration into Lagos.
“Lagos remains the economic hub of Nigeria, attracting thousands of people daily.
“We must ensure that our humanitarian response is matched with effective security measures to protect residents while respecting human rights,” he said.
The senatorial candidate urged the Federal Government and the Lagos State Government to also create an enabling environment that would allow businesses to thrive.
He added that economic growth remained the most effective solution to poverty and homelessness.
“When businesses flourish, they create jobs, expand opportunities and reduce the number of people forced into hardship.
“Government policies should encourage investments rather than discourage entrepreneurs,” he said.
Johnson expressed concern over the high rate of youth unemployment, this is one of the country’s biggest socio-economic challenges that required urgent and practical solutions.
“Millions of young Nigerians are willing to work, but many cannot find jobs.
“This calls for deliberate investments in vocational training, digital innovation, entrepreneurship and industries that can absorb our growing workforce,” he said.
According to him, the absence of adequate incentives for small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) has made it difficult for many young entrepreneurs to establish and sustain businesses.
“There are no sufficient incentives for millions of Nigerians who want to start businesses.
“Access to affordable financing, stable electricity, improved infrastructure and friendly tax policies will encourage enterprise and create employment,” he said.
Johnson also urged the Lagos State Government to maximise the enormous opportunities in the state’s blue economy by expanding investments around the Apapa Port, Lekki Deep Sea Port and other coastal communities.
“Lagos is blessed with vast maritime assets.
“Proper utilisation of the blue economy will boost trade, attract investments, create thousands of jobs and significantly increase the state’s internally generated revenue,” he said.
He further advised government at all levels to prioritise policies that would improve the welfare and quality of life of Nigerians through better healthcare, education, housing and social protection programmes.
“The true measure of any government is the well-being of its people.
“Citizens should feel the impact of governance through improved living standards, affordable services and inclusive economic opportunities,” he said.
He said that a good governance should combine economic development with social justice to ensure that no citizen was left behind.
“Our vision should be to build a Lagos and a Nigeria where every hardworking citizen has access to opportunities, decent shelter, meaningful employment and a secure environment.
“That is the foundation of sustainable development,” he said.(NAN).
A.I
Aug. 4, 2026
Tags: Mr Ladipo Johnson NDC