Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Centre of Excellence (Lagos State) has been appointed as Patron of the Centre for African Social and Economic Transformation (CASET), a newly launched initiative at the University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol.
The appointment marks a significant recognition of the developmental strides recorded in Lagos State, especially in areas aimed at empowering the youth and strengthening economic structures.
The governor described the role as an honor and a responsibility, as he believed it reflects the importance of forging global partnerships to tackle challenges facing the African continent.
CASET is a multidisciplinary platform that connects scholars, government officials, and private sector leaders to develop actionable strategies aimed at improving socio-economic outcomes across Africa.
Speaking on the development, Governor Sanwo-Olu noted that Lagos State has made considerable progress in entrepreneurship and digital growth, sectors he said are key to building a more inclusive and adaptable urban society.
He added that the patronage offers Lagos a wider platform to collaborate with UWE Bristol, with the goal of expanding knowledge exchange, informing policy, and nurturing future African leaders.
“I’m especially proud that the University recognizes the progress we’ve made in areas such as entrepreneurship and digital innovation. These are central to our vision for a more inclusive and resilient Lagos.
“This role presents an opportunity to deepen our ties with UWE Bristol and explore new ways to build capacity, shape policy, and support the next generation of African changemakers,” Sanwo-Olu stated
The establishment of CASET comes at a time when greater collaboration between African governments and global research bodies is being encouraged as a means of accelerating sustainable progress on the continent.
