AOT Lagos 7.0 Unveils Bold Tech Innovations to Shape Lagos’ Future

By peace Udugba

The seventh edition of the Art of Technology Lagos (AOT Lagos 7.0) brought together key stakeholders across the tech ecosystem—policymakers, founders, investors, researchers, government representatives, venture capitalists, startups, and innovators—on Thursday at the Landmark Event Centre, Lagos. The landmark gathering focused on exploring the transformative potential of emerging technologies in shaping Lagos into a leading technological hub in Africa.

With the theme “Future Technologies & a Sustainable Lagos,”the conference served as a powerful convergence point for Nigeria’s innovation community to examine the intersection of artificial intelligence, sustainability, smart infrastructure, digital transformation, and economic inclusion.

Delivering the keynote address, Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, reaffirmed the government’s vision for a smarter, greener, and safer megacity driven by technology and collaboration. He highlighted the state’s investments in digital infrastructure, research, and innovation—revealing that over 2,500 kilometres of fibre-optic cables have been deployed across Lagos in the past five years to enhance connectivity and service delivery.

Dr. Hamzat disclosed that through the Lagos State Science Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC), nearly ₦2 billion has been invested in startups and research initiatives spanning fintech, agritech, health tech, climate innovation, and more. He also noted that over one million residents have directly benefited from improved digital connectivity.

“Lagos is your laboratory, your testbed, and your launchpad into Africa and the world,” the Deputy Governor declared to founders, investors, and innovators in attendance. He added that the forthcoming Lagos Innovation Bill* would institutionalize innovation as a key socio-economic driver, bolster intellectual property protection, expand access to funding, and deepen collaboration among government, academia, and the private sector.He further emphasized that initiatives such as the Intelligent Transport System, Safe City Surveillance Network,Cybersecurity Council, and various digital governance platforms are already delivering improved public safety, transparency, traffic management, and governance efficiency—firmly positioning Lagos as one of Africa’s fastest-emerging innovation cities.

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[12/7, 1:06 PM] Chat Gpt: “Cities generate nearly 80% of global GDP and account for about 75% of carbon emissions. With over half the world’s population now living in urban areas, integrating future technologies is no longer optional—it is essential,” he stressed.

AOT Lagos 7.0 featured an engaging mix of keynote addresses, panel discussions, and strategic networking, with conversations spanning artificial intelligence, clean energy, smart mobility, cybersecurity, climate innovation, digital public infrastructure, and entrepreneurship.

Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr. Olatunbosun Alake, highlighted Lagos’ rapid emergence as Africa’s leading tech ecosystem. He revealed that Lagos is home to over *80 percent of Nigeria’s 2,000 active startups which collectively attracted more than *6 billion in investments between 2019 and 2024. He further noted that the Lagos tech ecosystem is now valued at 15.3 billion, fueled by sustained public-private collaboration.

Mr. Alake announced the upcoming Lagos Innovation Deal a strategic policy framework designed to formalize innovation development, strengthen university–industry partnerships, expand research funding, and fast-track the commercialization of local technology. He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to AI adoption, data protection digital skills development, and smart city initiatives.

Earlier in his welcome address, Dr. Victor Gbenga Afolabi, Founder of Eko Innovation Centre, emphasized the urgency for cities to embrace emerging technologies in the face of climate change,vpopulation growth, and shifting economic dynamics.