Oniru Launches Memoir, Chronicles Lagos’ Journey from City to Megacity
The Oniru of Iruland, Oba Abdulwasiu Lawal, will on Thursday launch his anticipated memoir titled “From City to Megacity: A Memoir of Lagos Urbanization (1999–2023),” which captures the transformation of Lagos State over a 24-year period, offering a powerful blend of history, policy reflection and personal experience.
The book, which the Monarch described as both a tribute to the evolution of Lagos and a call to thoughtful, future-oriented urban governance, draws from his rich and unique background as a public servant, policy implementer and now, traditional ruler.
He explained that the book is an attempt at answering the question “Is Lagos truly ready for the urban future?” which arose during a conference and sparked his resolve to reflect deeply, document the facts, and engage both leaders and citizens in an honest conversation about the state’s urban development journey.
“More than anything, “From City to Megacity” is a book for everyone who cares about Lagos—its future, its people, and its possibilities. It invites development partners, future leaders, civil servants, and community members to reflect, learn, and act.
“This work argues that the city’s transformation deserves thoughtful documentation, critical analysis, and—most importantly—sustained engagement. It invites readers to see Lagos not only for what it is, but for what it strives to become,” Oba Lawal asserts.
According to him, the narrative of the book is built on a temporal and thematic structure that describes the city before 1999, marked by chaotic urban development, weak infrastructure, poor waste disposal and a failing public transport system.
He added that the book presents the gains made across several administrations, such as the introduction of LAMATA, BRT, LagosHoms housing schemes, improved waste management through LAWMA and PSP, and strengthened security networks and highlights the vision for the next decade.
The Monarch stated that the book focuses on themes such as transportation, waste management, housing, security, agriculture, and public opinion, which are the real issues Lagosians live with every day.
He noted that book is enriched with insights from his global academic training, particularly from the London School of Economics where he earned an Executive Master’s in Cities and gives it a thoughtful, comparative lens on how cities like Lagos can grow sustainably while putting people first.
