LAGOS UNVEILS MAJOR INNOVATION PUSH, EYES BIGGER ROLE IN GLOBAL TECH ECONOMY

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has called for a deeper collaboration between the state government and the private sector in building a safer, smarter, greener megacity and a digital economy that creates jobs and prosperity.

The Governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, at ‘Art of Technology (AOT) Lagos 7.0,’ held at the Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, today, stated that his administration remains committed to the investments and reforms necessary to keep Lagos at the forefront of global innovation.

According to him, Lagos’ emergence as the fastest-rising innovation city in the world as referenced by Dealroom.Co is a testament to the bold collaborative agenda between private and public stakeholders within the Lagos ecosystem.

“To our founders, investors, creators, academics, and global partners: Lagos is your home, your laboratory, your testbed, your Launchpad into Africa and the world. We invite you to deepen your collaboration with us as we build: a safer, smarter, greener megacity and a city powered by data, intelligence, and sustainable infrastructure. This administration remains committed to the investments and reforms necessary to keep Lagos at the forefront of global innovation,” he said.

The Governor revealed that the forthcoming Lagos Innovation Bill, now at an advanced stage, will institutionalize innovation as a core driver of the state’s socio-economic agenda, strengthen intellectual property protection, expand funding access, and deepen collaboration among government, academia, industry, and innovators.

Sanwo-Olu highlighted his administration’s “deliberate and measurable” investments in technology infrastructure over the last five years, including the deployment of over 2,500 kilometres of fibre-optic cables and smart city systems that have improved traffic management, public safety, and service delivery.

He explained that initiatives such as the Intelligent Transport System, the Safe City Surveillance Network, and the state’s expanding digital service portals are already enhancing efficiency, transparency, and security across Lagos. He added that more than one million residents have benefited from improved connectivity, contributing significantly to the growth of Lagos’ digital economy.

The Governor emphasized the state’s commitment to strengthening innovation through funding, talent development, and research. “Through the Lagos State Science, Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC), almost ₦2 billion has been invested in startups and research programs across sectors such as fintech, health tech, agritech, and climate technology,” he revealed

Sanwo-Olu further noted that the establishment of the Lagos State Cybersecurity Council, which is Nigeria’s first sub-national cybersecurity body, is designed to safeguard the state’s digital infrastructure as Lagos accelerates into an era defined by AI, IoT, e-governance, and smart city systems.

“With continuous investments in infrastructure and enablement programs, the Lagos State government seeks to increase the contribution of technology and innovation to the state’s GDP. We are strategically investing in future technologies that will shape a more sustainable and resilient city. These include artificial intelligence for predictive governance, Internet of Things solutions for water systems and environmental monitoring, smart mobility to reduce congestion, and digitization frameworks that will improve internal government operations,” he said.

Earlier in his address, the Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr. Tobosun Alake, reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening the State’s innovation ecosystem as it unveiled major advancements in digital infrastructure, startup development, research funding, and smart-city technology.

Alake announced that Lagos now accounts for 80 percent of Nigeria’s 2,000 active startups, which have attracted more than $6 billion in tech funding between 2019 and 2024, noting that the Lagos tech ecosystem, valued at $15.3 billion and has continued to expand through public-private collaboration and deliberate government investment.

“He also announced the forthcoming Lagos Innovation Deal, a landmark framework that will institutionalize local innovation and strengthen collaboration between government, universities, and the private sector. The State, he emphasized, is committed to building Africa’s most robust digital economy, deepening AI adoption, enhancing data protection, and positioning Lagos as a major global technology hub,” said the Commissioner.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Founder, Eko Innovation Centre, Dr. Victor Gbenga, reiterated that as the world’s major cities navigate rapid population growth, climate pressures, and shifting economic landscapes, one truth is clear: the future belongs to urban centres that can harness technology to remain resilient, inclusive, and globally competitive.

“Today, more than half of the global population, over 4 billion people, live in urban areas. By 2050, nearly 70 percent of the world’s people are expected to be city dwellers. Cities already generate about 80 percent of global GDP while accounting for roughly 75 percent of global carbon emissions. These numbers underscore why the integration of future technologies is no longer optional for modern cities; it is essential,” he said.