Lagos must embrace future technologies to ensure sustainable growth and improve the lives of its citizens, Dr Victor Gbenga Afolabi, founder of the Eko Innovation Centre, stated at Art of Technology (AOT) 7.0 on Thursday, December 4, at Landmark Event Centre.
Addressing policymakers, innovators, and educators, Dr Afolabi stressed the urgent need for collaboration between innovation and governance. “Look at how these technologies will come together again to help shape the world we live in, and, of course, help drive innovation,” he said.
He noted the scale of the challenge: “Lagos State has 10% of Nigeria’s population on just 3% of its land mass. For food security, we need to ensure that we’re thinking of smarter ways using technology to change the way we live.”
Dr Afolabi drew attention to the transformative potential of technology across multiple sectors. “Imagine the same in e-commerce. Imagine the same in manufacturing, power, healthcare, robotics, and agriculture. These are the things that will transform our state,” he said.
He also pointed to innovations showcased at the event, including electric bikes, tricycles, precision farming, and vertical farming solutions, emphasising the role of practical solutions in urban sustainability.
The Eko Innovation Centre founder stressed the importance of workforce development: “We need to upskill our people, which is our biggest asset, get the policymakers to put the policies in place, and get the ecosystem people who are doing business to do their work, and the magic is going to happen.”
Dr Afolabi also placed Lagos in a global context, warning of urbanisation trends: “The next 50 years will see 80% of people living in global cities. Lagos must be ready.”
He framed the city as an economic hub, currently among the top seven largest GDPs in Africa, and also as a future leader in innovation and technology.
The event also engaged over a thousand youths in future-ready courses and provided a platform for educators and innovators to explore solutions for a sustainable Lagos.
At AOT Lagos 7.0, Dr Afolabi concluded by urging attendees to actively participate in building the city’s technological and economic future.
