When Hon. Usman Hamzat took the reins as Chairman of Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area, there was a sense of cautious optimism. A familiar face with deep ties to the community and a promise of grassroots development, Hamzat’s arrival was met with hope — particularly from the youth and small business owners desperate for real change.
Now, with two years into his tenure, it’s time to ask the honest question: Has he delivered?
The answer, like most things in Nigerian politics, is both yes and not quite.
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✅ The Bright Spots: Roads, Lights, and Youth Empowerment
To his credit, Chairman Hamzat has made meaningful progress in physical infrastructure. Roads long forgotten — such as stretches of Iju Road, Fagba Axis, and Obawole — have been rehabilitated. Drainage works and solar-powered streetlights have brought relief to communities once left in the dark, literally and politically.
Equally commendable is his focus on youth. Through the Ifako-Ijaiye Youth Capacity Development Scheme, young residents have been able to access vocational training in fashion, tech, and entrepreneurship. His administration also hosted the first Youth Policy Roundtable in the LGA’s history, signaling a shift toward inclusive leadership.
These may not make national headlines, but they matter here — to the barbershop owner in Ogba, the student in Ishaga, and the job seeker in Abule-Egba.
❌ The Gaps: Health, Sanitation, and Community Inclusion
But even as these successes are applauded, there are gaping holes that demand attention.
Healthcare delivery remains substandard. Many primary health centers are still understaffed and ill-equipped. Pregnant women wait hours for basic care. Children are treated in outdated facilities. The promised health upgrades are slow, and in some cases, invisible.
Sanitation is another persistent failure. Despite partnerships with LAWMA and local sanitation committees, piles of refuse dot street corners from Ojokoro to Ajegunle. The environmental messaging is there, but the execution is weak. Waste management needs both structure and community enforcement — not just trucks on Thursdays.
There’s also the concern of political gatekeeping. Youth empowerment programs and job opportunities tend to circle around those close to party power. Independent voices and non-partisan civic groups report limited access to funding, platforms, or even audience with the chairman’s office. In a democracy, that’s a red flag.
The Verdict: A Working Chairman, But the Work Isn’t Done
To be clear, Hon. Usman Hamzat is not idle. He engages. He listens. He visits project sites. In a system where too many LG chairmen are missing in action, that visibility alone counts for something.
But leadership is about impact, not just presence. Hamzat has laid a foundation — but what Ifako-Ijaiye needs now is a bolder, more inclusive phase of governance: one that tackles sanitation head-on, strengthens health infrastructure, and dismantles political bottlenecks blocking grassroots progress.
Ifako-Ijaiye is watching. And in 2025, “average” simply isn’t enough anymore.
About the Author:
Kingsley Oyero (Koyero) is a civic blogger and resident of Lagos who writes on governance, youth development, and community organizing.
Contact: Kingsley.oyero@gmail.com
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