Lagos State has unveiled an ambitious plan to double the contribution of technology to its economy by 2030, according to the Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology, Olatunbosun Alake. Speaking at the Art of Technology Lagos 7.0 conference themed “Future Technologies and Sustainable Lagos,” Alake said the state aims to boost the current share of IT and innovation in its GDP by 100 percent within the next five years.
He explained that Lagos is positioning itself as a global technology hub by increasing investment in scientific research and invention by at least 50 percent. This push, he said, will allow local innovators to develop solutions tailored to the state’s unique challenges, ultimately strengthening Lagos’ standing as Nigeria’s tech capital and a competitive player worldwide.
Although Lagos-specific ICT data was not available, the state’s economy recorded a GDP of N14.85 trillion in Q1 2025, driven largely by services. Nationally, the ICT sector contributed 11.18 percent to Nigeria’s GDP in Q2 2025, with Lagos accounting for much of the industry’s activity. Alake added that the state has already deployed AI tools across public-service operations, reflecting a commitment to tech-driven governance.
Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat also announced that the Lagos Innovation Bill is underway. Once passed, the bill will strengthen intellectual property protections, expand funding access for startups and researchers, and enhance collaboration among government, academia, and industry players. Hamzat emphasized that as Lagos deepens its smart-city and e-governance initiatives, cybersecurity must remain a top priority to safeguard the state’s technological ambitions.
The deputy governor further highlighted Lagos’s mobility challenges, noting that while the state occupies less than 0.3 percent of Nigeria’s landmass, it hosts nearly 10 percent of the nation’s population. He said the government is accelerating efforts toward smart mobility solutions to manage traffic and urban congestion. Earlier, Eko Innovation Centre founder Dr. Victor Afolabi reflected on the conference’s six-year journey, calling on stakeholders to continue shaping a sustainable, tech-driven future for Lagos and beyond.
source: Punch