As Lagos gears up for its highly anticipated Investment Summit 2.0, attention is turning towards the state’s ambitious plans to transform its infrastructure, with a strong focus on electricity, transportation, and technology. Spearheading this vision is the Honourable Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology, Olatunbosun Alake who recently joined a broadcast to shed light on Lagos State’s strategic direction and the critical role innovation plays in its growth.
Olatunbosun Alake is not just a policymaker, he’s a seasoned Information Technology and Business Management executive with extensive experience across telecoms, IT, and media. Before stepping into public service, he was the General Manager of IT and Innovation at Filmhouse and FilmOne Group, the largest cinema and motion picture distribution company in West Africa. His professional expertise spans product management, business intelligence, and technology deployment, giving him a unique lens to drive change within Lagos’ innovation ecosystem.
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He’s no stranger to thought leadership either. At forums like MarkHack 3.0, Alake has shared deep insights on the role of regulatory frameworks in unlocking growth, urging for smarter policies that enable progress in tech-driven sectors like marketing and digital communication.
In the lead-up to the summit, Alake emphasized Lagos’ recent advancements in integrating technology into critical areas like transportation and public safety. From number plate recognition systems to red light and speed enforcement cameras, the city is leveraging innovation to enhance road safety and reduce lawless driving.
“Technology is enabling more objective enforcement and saving countless productive hours for Lagosians,” he explained during the interview, noting how automated systems have helped reduce the need for physical intervention and improve commuter experience.
But the state’s tech ambitions extend far beyond traffic enforcement. Over 6,000 technology training interventions have been completed, and a new initiative will train 50,000 young people in areas such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and data science. These efforts reflect a broader vision to not just consume technology, but to build it, locally and sustainably.
Alake stressed the need for deeper investment in research and development within local universities, pointing out that global tech giants didn’t rise solely through consumption but through decades of domestic innovation.
“We’re not content with importing technology. We’re investing to create our own, so value stays here in Nigeria,” he said.
At the Investment Summit, Lagos will spotlight its infrastructure roadmap, unveiling new opportunities in broadband connectivity, data center development, cybersecurity, and the expansion of tech clusters such as the one emerging in Yaba. The state has already acquired land to build a full-fledged technology cluster and is inviting the private sector to participate in building coworking spaces, prototyping labs, and innovation hubs.
“We are aggregating resources to increase technology creation by geometric proportions,” Alake noted, adding that collaboration between government and private investors is key to scaling innovation in Lagos.
The Commissioner also spoke to the future of power distribution in Lagos, following the enactment of the Electricity Act, which now allows states to regulate their electricity markets. The state is embracing smart metering, analytics, and microgrid solutions to enhance energy efficiency and cut down on systemic losses.
“Data-driven deployment and energy-saving systems are crucial. We’re laying the framework for a smarter, more efficient energy future,” he said.
When asked if it’s feasible to focus on cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence while the country still battles basic infrastructure challenges, Alake made a compelling case. He pointed to China’s trajectory in the 1970s and 1980s, how they began investing heavily in tech research even while dealing with severe poverty. That forward-looking mindset, he argued, is what transformed China into a global tech powerhouse today.
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Lagos is already aligning with Nigeria’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, contributing to policy frameworks for AI development, data ethics, and privacy governance.
“We must do both,” he said. “We can solve our domestic challenges while simultaneously investing in the technologies that will define our future.”
As the Lagos Investment Summit 2.0 kicks off, Alake’s message resounds with clarity and urgency. Lagos isn’t merely reacting to today’s challenges, it is building the foundations for tomorrow’s prosperity. With strong leadership, bold policies, and a tech-forward approach, the state is positioning itself as not only Nigeria’s economic nerve center but also its innovation capital.
“We’re not just thinking of now. We’re building sustainable solutions for future generations,” he concluded.
