The AOT 5.0 Tech Ecosystem Awards presented a medium for recognizing individuals, organizations and startups that have excelled in their efforts to stimulate the growth of the Nigerian Tech Ecosystem, which plays a pivotal role in the development of the Nigerian economy.

The following startups, organizations and individuals were awarded at AOT 5.0 for their immense contribution to the Nigerian creative and tech ecosystem:

• Social Innovation Award                                   –   ALX
• Clean Tech Innovation Award                           –  Sunfi
• Customer Service Award                                  –  Chowdeck
• Local Investor of the Year Award                     – Ventures Platform
• Tech Personality of the Year Award                 – O.O Nwoye
• Women in Tech Award                                    –   Solape Akinpelu
• Tech Journalist of the Year                              –   Benjamin Dada
• Robotics & Automation Excellence Award     – Reflect Robotics
• Gaming & Entertainment Innovation Award  – Africa Comicade
• Incubator/Accelerator Program of the Year   – Founder Institute Lagos
• AI & Machine Learning Excellence Award      – DSN – Data Science Network
• Startup of the Year                                          – Kunda Kids
• Partner of the Year                                          – Nest Innovation Park

Oladele Olafuyi, CEO of Kunda Kids, winner of the Startup of the Year category commended organizers of the Art of Technology conference for the recognition and award.

“We are deeply grateful and excited about this award because it means a lot to us at Kunda Kids as a young startup with a vision of inspiring the next generation and changing the way people see Africa”, he stated.

Commenting on the customer service award, Kennedy Offor, Head of Sales and Partnerships, Chowdeck, said that AOT is an exceptional platform for recognizing hard work and excellence from different startups, organizations and individuals that are making an impact in the ecosystem.

“With this award, we are poised and encouraged to keep delivering happiness to our numerous customers in communities where we operate”, he stated.

Terrence Wu, the Managing Director, Huawei Nigeria Limited made the promise during the Art of Technology Lagos 5.0 held at Landmark Event Centre yesterday with the theme “The Creative Economy and a Digital Lagos”.

Wu said the firm was committed to achieving a fully connected and digitally inclusive Nigeria by boosting ICT infrastructure with quality and innovative solutions tailored to local needs and equipping the youth with ICT knowledge and skills.

He said digitalization creates social, economic, industrial, and business value.

According to him, a digital government is a service-oriented government that is more efficient and promotes the development of a peaceful and inclusive society.

“Transition to a digital government is set to facilitate the achievement of two SDGs, namely SDG 10 – ‘Reduced Inequalities’ and SDG 16 – ‘Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions’. In addition, digital technology can improve people’s lives by driving long-term, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, promoting productive employment, and enabling people to do their jobs more effectively, which is closely related to SDG 3 – Good Health and well-being,” he said.

He added: “Thankfully, in such an era of rapid digital iteration, the Federal Ministry of Communications of Nigeria and the State Government of Lagos have issued policies and initiatives to address this digital era. It is these policies and initiatives that support the “digital public foundation” of Nigeria and the State Government of Lagos.

“In this digital public foundation, emerging technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and blockchain are constantly fermenting and bred.

“At the same time, these emerging technologies are constantly changing existing industries and giving rise to innovative enterprises and new economies. An innovative economic track is quietly taking shape and expanding rapidly, leading Nigeria and Lagos state governments to a better future.

“Next, I would like to share with you how cloud computing, 8K/VR, and digital humans bring new efficiency, new experience, and new evolution to the media industry.

“In the first case, we all know that special effects shots of movies require 3D modeling, editing, rendering, and asset management. MacroGraph used Huawei’s public cloud computing service to produce special effects shots for science fiction movies wandering the earth. They found that what used to take a week to render now takes only one day, greatly improving efficiency.

“In the second case, there is a program called Dance Storm in China, which uses the Flying Cat + VR technology to realize the function of its own perspective, and distributes it to traditional TV, mobile phones, and computers through the video platform. Users can use naked eyes or devices to reflect VR vision, and can also choose their own viewing angle, bringing new experiences to users.

“The program also gained ratings: Top 3 views, 530+ million hits, an average conversion rate of members: 10.79% effect.

“The third case is how to create new content to attract audiences in the era of media content explosion. China’s Hunan TV station uses Huawei Cloud Virtual Human Solution technology to deliver top digital human IP within four weeks, achieving rapid innovation in new content scenarios.

“There is an ancient Chinese saying, ‘A single tree does not make a forest, a single string does not make a sound’.”

In today’s digital era, this is particularly important. Huawei needs to work with its partners and enterprises to leverage the advantages of Huawei’s digital foundation.

“We will work together to help digital innovation in Nigeria and Lagos, help Lagos’ “THEMES+” strategy, consolidate the “digital public foundation” of Nigeria and Lagos, and work with partners to create a bright future for the ‘innovative economy and digital Lagos,” he said.

Meanwhile, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Lagos State governor, said the State Government is implementing the deployment of a 6,000km of Fibre Metro Network connection across the state.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, speaking as the Art of Technology Lagos (AOT 5.0) themed: “The Creative Economy and a Digital Lagos” held on Thursday at Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, said his administration is going to support players in the creative industry through the ‘Kebulania Lagos Film City’ project and the provision of other incentives, especially to startups in the industry.

Recall that in October this year, Del-York Group and the Lagos State Government have launched a state-of-the-art film city project in Epe, estimated to cost $100m.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said that the project situated in Ejirin, a community in Epe Local Government Area of the state, was aimed at reshaping the African film and entertainment industry.

The Governor also called for synergy among the government, industry players and the academia for more productivity in the creative economy.

According to him, such synergy will further help to build a future where the digital heartbeat of Lagos will resonate across the globe.

He said Lagos State initiatives for the creative industry, such as Investment in Infrastructure and Technology, Lagos Film City, Collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) to support Intellectual Property Rights, a dedicated Lagos State Science, Research, and Innovation Council (LASRIC) cohort for the Creative Economy and the Lagos Innovation Bill, among others have yielded positive results.

Governor Sanwo-Olu promised the mammoth crowed at AOT 5.0 that his administration will accelerate actions to ensure the Lagos Innovation Bill is signed into law within the first quarter of 2024, adding that the innovation bill when signed into law would increase employment opportunities in the creative industry, enhance competitiveness and foster economic development among others through collaborative efforts of all stakeholders in the creative sector and government.

He said:

“Lagos has solidified its status as Africa’s foremost fashion and creative hub, emblematic of our shared commitment to technological advancement. Notably, the music industry has burgeoned into the second-largest in Africa, boasting an annual revenue exceeding $2 billion. This achievement is underscored by our artists receiving prestigious accolades such as Grammys, and the proliferation of international streaming services attests to the industry’s global resonance.

“The transformative impact of technology on Lagos’s development is profound. Over the past decade, technology has propelled a remarkable 500 percent increase in productivity across pivotal sectors, ranging from agriculture to manufacturing. Our smart city initiatives have not only enhanced the efficiency of public services but have also significantly elevated the overall quality of life for our residents.

“Our journey towards a Digital Lagos propelled by the Creative Economy is backed by robust figures and data. It is a collective endeavor that requires the synergy of government, industry, academia, and civil society. Together, we will build a future where innovation knows no bounds, where creativity flourishes, and where the digital heartbeat of Lagos resonates across the globe.

“I trust that the discussions initiated at this conference, along with the resulting outcomes, will pave the way for a threefold increase in the value of the creative ecosystem. May this gathering serve as a guiding beacon, directing us toward a future where the convergence of technology and creativity collaboratively shapes a brighter tomorrow for the residents of Lagos State.”

On his part, Dr Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, promised that the Federal Government will collaborate with the Lagos State Government to boost the creative sector using technology for a digital Lagos, that will benefit youths in the state.

Tijani, who noted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has invested in the digital economy to create more employment, implored the Lagos State Government to convert open fields used for football across the state, into a smart field that would be well equipped for public exercises and gymnastics to engage the youths positively.

Speaking earlier, Mr. Olatubosun Alake, Lagos State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, emphasised that the creative economy is a force that transcends industries, driving innovation, and contributing to economic growth.

He said some of the objectives of the AOT Lagos 5.0 is to proffer solutions to the challenges in the tech world, which included combating piracy and enhancing information sharing for a digital Lagos.

Alake said over 10,000 participants would participate physically and virtually in the two-day Art of Technology (AOT) Lagos 5.0 Conference, which will end tomorrow.

Mr. Kunle Afolayan, a prominent Nigerian actor and film producer, at the AOT 5.0 commended the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration’s commitment to the Creative industry in Lagos State.

Afolayan, who is one of the nine-member committee on Film Production Empowerment for Lagos State, said the N1 billion seed capital by the State Government to boost the creativity sector in the state has started yielding positive results.

Art of Technology Lagos is curated by Eko Innovation Centre led by Victor Gbenga Afolabi.

Watch out for more details from Techeconomy as media partners to AOT 5.0.

Speaking on the event scheduled to be held in December, Olatubosun Alake, convener of the conference and Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Lagos State, revealed that the conference in its fifth edition will espouse two critical pillars that are shaping the future of Lagos State.

“AOT 5.0 focuses on two pillars – “The Creative Economy” and “A Digital Lagos” where policymakers, tech enthusiasts, creatives, innovators and ecosystem leaders, shaping the future in their various fields will converge to explore the symbiotic relationship between creativity and technology”, Mr. Alake stated.  

Victor Afolabi, Curator of the Art of Technology Lagos added that technology, in its multifaceted forms, serves as a toolbox for creators and innovators, offering new mediums, tools, platforms, and methods for expression and problem-solving. “The creative economy sector of Lagos State is driven by a highly skilled and innovative workforce using technology to solve multifaceted problems with art, which significantly impacts the state’s economy; hence, the need to focus on the creative economy and a digital Lagos”, Mr. Afolabi opined.

Digital art platforms allow artists and creatives to expand their creativity beyond traditional mediums with the use of technology. Creative industries like film, music, fashion, design, and advertising amongst others use technology to amplify their art forms and solve problems in their various niche, thereby significantly impacting the economy; this is poised for further growth in the coming years.

Art of Technology Lagos (AOT) is an annual tech conference curated by the Eko Innovation Centre, and sponsored by the Lagos State Government – the economic and technology epicentre of Nigeria. The tech conference will bring together pioneers, professionals, and enthusiasts to unearth strategies that will steer the tech and creative industries in the state to greater heights.

Some highlights of this year’s conference will include exploring synergies between creativity and technology, examining the digital transformation of Lagos, collaborative networking and engagement with industry stakeholders and experts, as well as empowerment of creatives by equipping them with tools to navigate the evolving landscape.

AOT 5.0 isn’t just a conference; it’s a catalyst for change, shaping the future landscape of the creative economy and digital transformation in Lagos.

Don’t miss this chance to join the groundbreaking event. Ignite your excitement today.

REGISTER here and ATTEND FREE….

The pinnacle of technological innovation and thought leadership, Art of Technology Lagos (AOT), returns for its fifth edition, AOT 5.0.

With an unwavering commitment to progress, this year’s conference dives into two crucial pillars that are shaping Lagos’s future: “The Creative Economy” and “A Digital Lagos.”

Curated by the Eko Innovation Centre in collaboration with the Lagos State Government, AOT 5.0 promises to be an unparalleled gathering of visionaries, industry leaders, and changemakers.

Lagos’s creative economy sector is a dynamic force that fuels the state’s economic growth, encompassing diverse industries such as film, music, fashion, design, and advertising.

This ecosystem thrives on the brilliance and innovation of its workforce, playing a pivotal role in driving economic progress.

Under the theme “The Creative Economy and A Digital Lagos,” AOT 5.0 will be a platform for thought-provoking discussions, insights, and strategies that will steer these industries toward greater heights. Scheduled to take place on December 8–9 at the Landmark Center in Lagos, this conference will bring together pioneers, professionals, and enthusiasts to explore the symbiotic relationship between creativity and technology.

Key Highlights of AOT 5.0 

● Exploring Synergies: Dive into the intersection of creativity and technology, uncovering how digital innovation enhances the creative economy’s potential.

● Digital Lagos Transformation: Delve into the ongoing transformation of Lagos into a digital hub, examining initiatives that are fostering technological advancements across the city.

● Empowering Creatives: Spotlight on empowering creatives to thrive in the digital age by equipping them with the tools and knowledge to navigate the evolving landscape

● Collaborative Networking: Engage with industry peers, startups, investors, policymakers, and technologists, fostering collaborations that will shape the future of Lagos.

Get Involved:

● Sponsorship Opportunities: Elevate your brand’s presence by becoming a sponsor and aligning with the forefront of technological innovation.

● Showcase Your Business: Exhibit your products and services to a diverse audience of industry experts and decision-makers.

● Attend the event: be a part of the conversation, gain insights, and forge connections that could drive your business and ideas forward.

● Become a Speaker: Share your expertise, insights, and vision as a speaker, contributing to meaningful conversations.

AOT 5.0 isn’t just a conference; it’s a catalyst for change, shaping the future landscape of the creative economy and digital transformation in Lagos. Join us in this inspiring journey to build a brighter and more innovative Lagos.