By Milcah Tanimu
Lagos State has emerged as a leader in using technology for regulatory oversight and business innovation, transforming public and private services. Seun Awojobi, Technical Adviser to the Lagos State Safety Commission and Co-founder of Nest Technology Innovation Park, highlighted these advancements in a recent interview.
ICT Growth in Nigeria
Awojobi emphasized Nigeria’s rapid ICT growth, driven by policies from the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani. He noted that effective regulation fosters growth, as seen in fintech, while unregulated sectors like agri-tech lag behind.
Leveraging Technology for Safety
The Lagos State Safety Commission has digitized its operations, registering over 15,000 businesses to streamline oversight. This database enables quick responses to safety concerns, reducing inefficiencies and enhancing public safety.
Digital Transformation Benefits
Digital adoption in Lagos has minimized congestion at government offices and accelerated response times. This transformation has also boosted state revenue by removing barriers to accessing services.
Empowering SMEs and Startups
Through Nest, Awojobi supports SMEs and startups with training, mentorship, and resources to scale their businesses. Initiatives like the 3 Million Technical Talents (3MTT) aim to position Nigeria as a global tech talent hub, akin to India.
Promoting Women in Tech
The Girl Code Academy, a Nest initiative, has trained over 1,000 women in programming and coding, helping them secure jobs at global tech giants like Google and Amazon.
Bridging Funding Gaps for Startups
While global funding for startups has declined, Awojobi advocates scaling SMEs and exploring creative sectors like motion graphics and coding. Nest collaborates with organizations like WIPO to provide training and opportunities for Nigerian entrepreneurs.
Lagos’ focus on technology-driven governance and innovation continues to position it as a model for other states in Nigeria.
