Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday vowed to positioning the state as a leader in Nigeria’s ambition to achieve a $1n economy by 2030 through leveraging on innovation, technology, and strategic collaborations.
Sanwo-Olu’s target is coming on the heels of President Bola Tinubu’s ambition to turn Nigeria into a $1trn economy.
The governor, who made the vow while speaking at the opening of the GITEX Nigeria Tech Expo and Future Economy Conference 2025, described Lagos as a cornerstone of Africa’s digital transformation.
The GITEX Expo, organised by the Lagos State Government in partnership with KAOUN International, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and the National Information Technology Development Agency, is one of the largest gatherings of global and local tech leaders. Participants include IBM, Meta, MTN, AWS, Cisco, and a wide array of Nigerian startups.
The governor at the event, also highlighted that Lagos is home to 23 of Nigeria’s fastest-growing companies, as recognised by the Financial Times, driven by a dynamic innovation ecosystem supported by progressive policies, private sector investment, and a thriving startup culture.
“We’re not just showcasing technology today; we’re forging partnerships and igniting innovation to propel Nigeria toward its $1 trillion economic target ,Lagos is not just a city; it is a movement,” Sanwo-Olu declared.
While calling on innovators and stakeholders at the expo to seize opportunities, connect, and create a future that will position Nigeria — and Africa — as global leaders in the digital economy, Sanwo-Olu praised the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, for his leadership in advancing artificial intelligence infrastructure and inclusive digital solutions that are reshaping Nigeria’s global tech standing.
In his own remarks at the august event, Tijani hammered on the urgency of strengthening digital infrastructure to meet Lagos’ rapid urban growth, noting that the city attracts about 2,000 new residents daily.
He used the occasion to announce that a new government-backed programme set to launch on October 1, which will fund 75 additional digital research projects, deepening collaboration between Nigerian researchers, entrepreneurs, and the diaspora.
