R-L-: Special Adviser,PMO ,Mr Ibrahim Obanikoro ,(middle) ,ES,LAWRECOM,Mrs Oluyemisi Ogunlola and the PS,PMO ,Dr Olugbemiga Aina in a group photograph to round up the meeting held Weds,4th March at the Secretariat,Alausa Ikeja
By Kayode Olopade
The Lagos State Law Reform Commission has intensified efforts to strengthen collaboration with key government institutions and local government authorities as part of its mandate to review, reform, modernise, simplify and promote accessibility to the Laws of Lagos State.
The move formed the focus of a series of courtesy visits by the management team of the Commission, led by its Executive Secretary, Mrs. Oluyemisi Ogunlola, to strategic government institutions aimed at enhancing inter-agency collaboration, public enlightenment and effective implementation of law reform initiatives.
During a visit to the Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, Honourable Sesan Olowa, Mrs. Ogunlola emphasised the critical role of local governments and Conference 57 in legislative development, implementation and grassroots legal awareness.
She noted that the Commission is seeking collaboration with local governments on the review, harmonisation, compilation and codification of local government bye-laws, as well as the dissemination of these laws in the Yoruba language to enhance public accessibility.
“We recognise Conference 57 as a strategic partner in strengthening governance documentation and legal awareness. We also desire to partner on the review and harmonisation of local government bye-laws while expanding legal education and providing technical support and capacity building for legislators and legal officers,” Ogunlola said.
Responding, Honourable Olowa commended the Commission’s innovative approach and expressed readiness for collaboration, noting that local governments are open to initiatives that would strengthen governance structures and standardise bye-laws for improved efficiency.
The Commission also visited the Lagos State Parastatals Monitoring Office, where discussions centred on institutional synergy in strengthening compliance, transparency and governance across state agencies.
During the meeting, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Parastatals Monitoring, Ibrahim Obanikoro, reaffirmed the Office’s commitment to supporting the Commission’s mandate.
Welcoming the delegation, the Permanent Secretary of the PMO, Olugbemiga Aina, commended the Executive Secretary’s proactive leadership and emphasised the importance of strong collaboration with the Lagos State House of Assembly to strengthen the lawmaking process.
“You are a round peg in a round hole. Beyond public hearings, your regular input in lawmaking will position the Commission strongly to ensure smooth collaboration on law reforms,” he said.
Mrs. Ogunlola also highlighted some of the Commission’s milestones since her assumption of office in 2025, including the compilation of the supplementary Laws of Lagos State passed between Y2016 - Y2024 which were fragmented prior to now,efforts to digitize these is underway.
She further disclosed plans to establish a Reform Intelligence Desk — a public engagement mechanism designed to gather real-life experiences and feedback from citizens, businesses and communities to support evidence-based law reform.
The engagement series also took the Commission’s management team to the Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, where discussions focused on strengthening civic education and public enlightenment on laws passed in the State.
Speaking during the meeting, the Permanent Secretary in the Office, Engr Sholabomi Shasore, stated that the mandate of the Office aligns significantly with that of the Law Reform Commission, particularly in promoting civic participation and bridging the gap between government and the people.
She explained that the Office regularly organises civic engagement platforms where laws passed by the Lagos State House of Assembly are simplified for public understanding through advocacy programmes, digital platforms and radio engagements.
Engr.Mrs.Shasore assured that the Law Reform Commission would be integrated into the Office’s existing civic engagement platforms to expand public awareness and understanding of the laws of Lagos State.
At the end of the engagements, all parties agreed to strengthen collaboration on public sensitisation, stakeholder consultations and advocacy initiatives aimed at improving accessibility, awareness and effective implementation of the laws of Lagos State.
The visits form part of the Commission’s broader strategy to deepen inter-agency cooperation and promote a more inclusive and responsive law reform process in line with the governance aspirations of Lagos State.
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