California Strengthens Ties with Nigeria Through Landmark Lagos Sister-State Partnership

New sister-state relationship reflects deep diaspora connections and expanding economic opportunity between California and Lagos, Nigeria

• Annie Keys
• [email protected]

SACRAMENTO, CA - Today, the California State Assembly approved ACR 129 by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco), which will formally establish a sister-state relationship between California and Lagos State, Nigeria. Haney was joined at the Capitol by Nigerian and Nigerian-American leaders in transportation, medicine, business, energy, and community leadership, including representatives from the California State Transportation Agency, the California Energy Commission, the Nigerian diaspora community, and Lagos State. The resolution strengthens ties between two globally influential regions connected by innovation, culture, entrepreneurship, and a shared commitment to economic growth.

This resolution marks just the second sister-state partnership between California and any other state in sub-Saharan Africa.

The resolution creates a framework for expanded collaboration in trade, education, transportation, climate resilience, arts and entertainment, and youth opportunity. It also recognizes the deep people-to-people ties between California and Nigeria, including one of the largest Nigerian diasporas in the United States.

Lagos State is the economic and cultural center of Nigeria and a leading hub for finance, technology, maritime trade, entertainment, and entrepreneurship. California, now the fourth-largest economy in the world, is globally recognized for leadership in clean energy, technology, higher education, agriculture, and the arts.

California and Lagos representatives are celebrating the newly forged partnership.

"California and Lagos are two regions defined by talent, creativity, and ambition," said Matt Haney. "This sister-state relationship will create new opportunities for trade, innovation, education, and cultural exchange while strengthening the bonds between our communities. From Hollywood to Nollywood, from Silicon Valley to Lagos, our regions have much to learn from one another and much to build together."

"We warmly welcome the passage of the sister state resolution between the State of California and Lagos State. This milestone reflects the strength of the longstanding ties between our people and a shared vision for collaboration across innovation, culture, education, and economic development," said Jermaine Sanwo-Olu, Executive Secretary of Lagos State Office of Diaspora Affairs. "This relationship presents a unique opportunity to deepen diaspora engagement and turn our shared aspirations into tangible outcomes-driving investment, knowledge exchange, and inclusive growth for both regions. Lagos State remains fully committed to working hand in hand with our partners in California to build a partnership that is meaningful, impactful, and enduring."

"The Lagos-California Sister State Resolution builds on the strong partnership Governor Newsom has forged between California and Nigeria and reflects our shared commitment to practical, people-centered progress," said Toks Omishakin, California Transportation Secretary. "Through deepening ties with Lagos and the leadership of Assemblymember Haney, we are establishing new opportunities to advance clean mobility, climate innovation, economic growth and cultural exchange between two regions defined by creativity and ambition."

"For years, we have seen firsthand the extraordinary talent, creativity, and global influence coming out of Lagos, Nigeria and across Africa," said Ghazi Shami, Founder and CEO of EMPIRE. "Strengthening the relationship between

California and Lagos creates new opportunities for collaboration in music, film, technology, and entrepreneurship, while helping artists and creatives in both regions reach even greater heights. We are proud to support efforts that deepen these ties and celebrate the innovation that defines our communities." California and Lagos have long shared growing cultural and economic ties. Lagos is home to Nollywood and the global rise of Afrobeats, while California is home to Hollywood and one of the world's most influential entertainment industries. The partnership is expected to create new opportunities for collaboration in music, film, fashion, digital media, and the creative economy.

The resolution also highlights opportunities for collaboration between California's university systems and institutions such as the University of Lagos and Lagos State University, as well as joint work in transportation, climate adaptation, housing, and sustainable urban development.

ACR 129 now advances to the Senate and will soon be heard on the Senate floor.

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