Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos State says that the state has successfully enrolled about four million residents into the national identity management scheme and will not relent in efforts to fully digitise key sectors of the economy in order for the government to plan appropriately and adequately for development.
Speaking on the theme: Smart Data, Smarter Lagos, at the Lagos State Art of Technology 2.0 event held on the 3rd of December at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos, the governor said that although health and education are strong pillars for economic growth, technology is a key driver in these important sectors.
Art of Technology Lagos 2.0 (AoT Lagos 2.0) organised by Eko Innovation Centre is a Lagos-State-powered Innovation & Technology conference that brought together technology organisations, policy makers, government officials, venture capitalists, product designers, software engineers and tech enthusiasts to drive innovations that will pave way for the evolution of a smarter, digital, more efficient and a more competitive Lagos.
“We are making deliberate efforts to increase connectivity by laying fibre all over Lagos State and we have promised that in our economic agenda, we will be innovative,” Sanwo-Olu said.
“We are very serious about the use of technology and that is why even before the UK, we held virtual cabinet meetings in the peak of the Covid 19 lockdown and we now have a paperless cabinet where cabinet members can join meetings from wherever they are in the world,” he said.
The state government is using data, science and technology to improve the workings of Lagos State. The broadband coverage will include public schools, hospitals and all ministries departments and agencies by next year.
On plans to make Lagos smarter, Sanwo-Olu discloses that the new BRT busses are currently being fitted with touch pin pad payment validators, which will also be fitted in ferries for water ways transport and on the rail system before the end of 2022 when the trains are up and ready. With this, Lagos state transport system will operate a seamless integrated payment system.
“We will also have all close circuit television (CCTV) cameras up by first quarter of 2021. This will help with planning journey times and will create thousands of jobs for Lagosians,” he said.
Yemi Osinbajo, vice president of Nigeria, who delivered his address virtually, said that Lagos has long been the epicentre of technology development in Nigeria and the foremost innovation hub in Africa.
“It is therefore apt that the theme; ‘Smart data, smarter Lagos’ was chosen for AoT 2.0, as data and digital identification is a necessity for government to reduce corruption,” Osinbajo said.
The governor also unveiled Startup Lagos, an initiative meant to empower Lagosians. He urged ITpreneurs and others to take advantage of the opportunities the state is offering to help businesses and entrepreneurs.
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