To effectively integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into processes in Lagos State and getting it to shape the future of technology in the state will depend largely on the level of collaboration between stakeholders from all sub sectors of the economy.
This is the view of the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at the sixth edition of the Art of Technology Lagos conference, with its theme as “AI & The Lagos Digital Economy”.
The governor, who was represented by the State’s Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, noted that collaboration among policymakers, educators, and innovators will shape Lagos State’s journey into the AI future.
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s committment to modernity, inclusivity, and innovation through the Vision 2052 agenda.
“This long-term development plan focuses on creating a thriving economy powered by innovation, building smart infrastructure, ensuring effective governance, and adopting a people-centred approach to leave no one behind,” he stated.
He highlighted Lagos as Nigeria’s economic nerve centre and Africa’s leading technology hub, noting that the state hosted over 60% of the nation’s tech startups, supported by accelerators, incubators, and global tech giants.
He also disclosed that in 2023, Lagos-based startups raised over $1.2 billion, accounting for 75% of Nigeria’s total startup investments.
“Through deliberate policies and investments, we have created an enabling environment that fosters innovation and positioned Lagos as a global player in the technology value chain. The achievements reflect the ingenuity of our people and our unwavering commitment to innovation. But we must continue to build on this foundation to secure our position as a leader in the global tech ecosystem,” the governor said.
The state government, which, at the event, unveiled the “Lagos Digital Service Platform,” a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing governance by promoting accessibility, transparency, and efficiency, emphasised that the platform would bridge the gap between government and residents, fostering trust and delivering impactful services.
Dr. Hamzat, while unveiling the platform, further pointed to the Enterprise Architecture Project as a critical step in harmonising data systems to support AI-driven service delivery.
Speaking further on the strides made by the State, the Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology, Mr. Tunbosun Alake, noted that in preparation for a digital future, the Lagos State Innovation Bill had fostered an environment for AI research and development, incentivised startups, and integrated AI education into the curriculum.
While highlighting AI potential to revolutionise key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and transportation, Alake said the state has been working with stakeholders to develop ethical and regulatory frameworks for responsible AI deployment.
“Lagos was uniquely positioned to capture a significant share of Artificial Intelligence growth,” Alake concluded.
In his keynote presentation at the event, Managing Director, Enterprise Business Group at Huawei Technologies, Mr. Terrens Wu, said the demand for AI computing power is increasing rapidly. By the end of this year, it is expected that the demand for AI computing power may exceed the demand for general computing power, he said, adding that building an elastic and efficient multi-calculation infrastructure with optimal AI computing power, which is about building an AI native cloud infrastructure, is the key to AI development.
He noted that human society has achieved ubiquitous interconnection, connecting a large number of users and causing a traffic explosion. “This has accelerated the demand for digital transformation in human society and spawned a second growth curve with 5G and cloud as the main engines. At present, the third growth curve leading the intelligent world is ready to take place, and human society is entering a new era of comprehensive intelligence,” Wu said.
