AOT Lagos 7.0 Advances Strategic Innovation as Stakeholders Drive Lagos’ Tech-Enabled Transformation

The seventh edition of the Art of Technology Lagos (AOT Lagos 7.0) brought together policymakers, founders, investors, researchers, government representatives, venture capitalists, startups and tech talent at the Landmark Event Centre for a day of strategic engagements on how emerging technologies can accelerate Lagos’ evolution as a leading technology hub in Africa.

Held under the theme “Future Technologies & a Sustainable Lagos,” the conference reinforced AOT’s role as the city’s premier policy-innovation forum, spotlighting artificial intelligence, smart infrastructure, clean energy, digital governance and inclusive innovation.

In his welcome address, Dr. Victor Gbenga Afolabi, Founder of Eko Innovation Centre and curator of Art of Technology Lagos, stressed that cities must adopt future-forward technologies to stay resilient, inclusive, and globally competitive. He noted that cities produce 80% of global GDP yet account for 75% of carbon emissions, making technological integration essential for survival.

Delivering the keynote, Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat reiterated the state’s commitment to a tech-enabled, sustainable megacity. He summarised five years of targeted investments, including the deployment of more than 2,500 kilometres of fibre-optic cable, expanded smart-city systems, and digital service portals — which have yielded improved traffic management, public safety and service delivery for over one million residents.

Read more: AoT 7.0: “Lagos has achieved over 10 major security wins using smart surveillance” – Deputy governor

Dr. Hamzat also disclosed that the Lagos State Science Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC) has channelled almost ₦2 billion into more than 75 startups and research programmes across agritech, edtech, healthtech, climate innovation and related sectors.

The Deputy Governor announced that the forthcoming Lagos Innovation Bill will institutionalize innovation as a driver of socio-economic policy, strengthen intellectual property protections, expand funding access, and deepen collaboration between government, academia and industry. He also flagged the establishment of the Lagos State Cybersecurity Council, Nigeria’s first sub-national cybersecurity body, as a key step in protecting the state’s growing digital infrastructure.

Commissioner for Innovation, Science & Technology Olatunbosun Alake reflected on seven years of AOT and Lagos’ rising prominence in Africa’s tech landscape. He noted that Lagos-based startups attracted more than $6 billion in investment between 2019 and 2024 and that Lagos accounts for 80 percent of Nigeria’s 2,000 active startups. Commissioner Alake unveiled the forthcoming Lagos Innovation Bill, a framework to institutionalise university-industry-government collaboration, accelerate AI adoption, enhance data protection and fast-track commercialisation of local technologies.

The conference programme included high-level keynotes, panel sessions and exhibitions and featured leading speakers such as Sara Sabry (Deep Space Initiative), Dr. Abba Aliyu (Rural Electrification Agency), Seyi Akindeinde (Hyperspace Technologies Ltd), Lars Christer Johannisson (Rack Centre), Dr. Krishnan Ranganath (African Data Center), Tomi Davies (TVC Labs), Kola Masha (Babban Gona), Prof. Olumuyiwa Odusanya (LASRIC Chairman) and Engr. (Mrs.) Ibilola Kasunmu (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Innovation, Science & Technology).

Tech Ecosystem Awards 2025 Celebrate Nigeria’s Innovation Trailblazers

The day culminated in the 4th Edition of the Tech Ecosystem Awards, an evening ceremony honouring individuals, startups and organisations driving Nigeria’s tech renaissance. The Awards ceremony was declared opened by Dr. Victor Afolabi with remarks from Commissioner Olatunbosun Alake, recognised excellence across impact, sustainability and ecosystem building.

Award highlights included Odunayo Eweniyi (Technology Personality of the Year) for leadership in fintech and startup growth; Ada Nduka Oyom (Women in Tech Award) for advancing female participation in tech; Chowdeck (Startup of the Year) for outstanding market traction; Maxdrive.ai (Sustainable Mobility Award) for green transport innovation; Creeds Energy (CleanTech Innovation); BudgIT (Social Innovation Award) for civic tech impact.

Oui Capital (Local Investor of the Year); Mamamoni (Inclusive Tech Award); Foodstuff Store (FoodTech Startup of the Year); Bumpa (Best Customer Service Startup); and CDIAL AI (AI & Robotics Excellence Award). Frank Eleanya was named Tech Journalist of the Year.

The event ended with a renewed call for coordinated action across policy, finance, research and enterprise to scale technologies that will deliver sustainable, inclusive growth for Lagos and the region.

Art of Technology Lagos is an annual platform that convenes government, industry, startups, investors and global partners to shape innovation policy and accelerate sustainable urban transformation in Lagos and beyond.