Platform seeks to bridge gap between Lagos and Nigeria’s tech ecosystem

The challenge of making Lagos State a 21st-century economy through the technology ecosystem may just become a thing of the past following the Art of Technology Lagos 1.0 Design Thinking talkshop staged in the state.

Curator of Art of Technology Lagos 1.0 and Founder of Eko Innovation Center, Mr. Victor Gbenga Afolabi, informed of the move of his platform to bridging the gap between government and the technology ecosystem, and to co-curate the Lagos Innovation Masterplan.

The talkshop which had representatives from Google, Microsoft, Co-Creation Hub, Passion Incubator, BudgIT Nigeria and a host of others in attendance, sparked incisive conversations and deepened deliberations on the sector.

According to Afolabi, the essence of the parley was to engage. “The government has always known that we need the ecosystem to leapfrog and create that 21st-century economy that Mr. Governor has always talked about in turning Lagos into a smart city. The ecosystem also needs to engage with government such that they enjoy the kind of patronage, access, and funding that can make them do what they do best which is creating enterprises.”

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He also informed that the main event set for December which will be sponsored by the Lagos State Government through the office of the Special Adviser on Innovation and Technology and the Eko Innovation Centre will feature 4 keynote speakers.

Afolabi added that the; “Art of Technology Lagos 1.0 main event will witness the launch of 5 tech products, 20 industry speakers and 1 full startup funding. Also expected at the event are 17 tech hubs, 50 developers, 23 investors, 28 startups and over 2000 participants.

Speaking further, the entrepreneur noted that the ecosystem needs to engage with government such that they enjoy the kind of patronage, access, and funding that can make them do what they do best which is creating enterprises.

He however revealed, that “Innovators will also have a chance to showcase products that solve Lagos’ problems and in return receive support from Lagos State Government.”

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