Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has sworn in seven newly appointed Permanent Secretaries, urging them to prioritise performance and deliver measurable results across various ministries in the state.

The oath-taking ceremony, held at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Alausa, also featured the inauguration of members of the Lagos State Health Service Commission, a move aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery through a merit-based recruitment system.

Speaking at the event, Sanwo-Olu stressed that the role of a Permanent Secretary is not ceremonial but a crucial bridge between policy formulation and implementation, especially in a state with over 20 million residents and increasing service demands.

He described Lagos as an economy operating on a scale comparable to sovereign nations, noting that governance at such a level demands discipline, efficiency, and a strong commitment to public service delivery.

The governor explained that the selection process for the appointees was rigorous, with emphasis placed on competence and character. He charged them to combine technical expertise with integrity, leadership, and resilience in the discharge of their duties.

Sanwo-Olu also directed the new Permanent Secretaries to fully align with his administration’s THEMES+ agenda, and take responsibility for driving policies and programmes within their respective ministries and agencies.

On the health sector, he tasked the newly inaugurated Lagos State Health Service Commission, led by Olukayode Oguntimehin, to ensure transparency and merit in the recruitment of health workers, stressing that such decisions directly affect the wellbeing of residents.

“The era of confusing stewardship with ownership is over,” the governor said, calling for strict accountability in the management of public resources.

In his remarks, Head of Service Bode Agoro said the appointments reflect the state’s commitment to positioning capable individuals in strategic roles to enhance governance and service delivery.

The newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries have been deployed across key sectors including urban development, innovation, health, works, and public defence, as part of efforts to strengthen institutional performance across Lagos State.