To solidify Lagos State’s position as the technology and innovation capital of Africa, the Lagos State Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology has engaged key industry stakeholders to review and finalise the Lagos Innovation Bill. The proposed legislation, designed to create a legal and institutional framework for fostering a thriving tech ecosystem, is being fine-tuned with input from across Nigeria’s innovation landscape.
At a high-level stakeholder engagement session held in Lagos on Tuesday, the ministry convened top entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, policy experts, legal practitioners, tech incubators, academic representatives, and civil society organisations to critique and enrich the draft bill. The dialogue marks a significant phase in the legislative process, ensuring the bill reflects the current realities of the startup ecosystem and aligns with global best practices.
Delivering the keynote address, Lagos State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Olatunbosun Alake, emphasised that the bill will not only institutionalise innovation governance but also unlock new investment pathways, encourage research and development, and provide regulatory clarity for startups and tech-driven enterprises.
“If we are serious about building an innovation economy, then we must create systems that allow ideas to become inventions, inventions to become startups, and startups to scale into global businesses,” Alake stated.
Drawing inspiration from global innovation hubs like Silicon Valley, Tel Aviv, and Singapore, the commissioner stressed the need for Lagos to adopt a structured and intentional approach to innovation rather than rely on fragmented pilot projects.
Unlike previous frameworks, the Lagos Innovation Bill is designed to address the entire innovation value chain, from knowledge generation in universities and research institutions to scaling startups into international players. The bill’s scope includes provisions for:
Strengthening intellectual property protections
Developing digital infrastructure
Expanding access to innovation funding
Enhancing R&D collaboration between academia and industry
Establishing innovation sandboxes and hubs
Encouraging public-private partnerships
Alake noted that the draft bill complements the Nigerian Startup Act but goes a step further by localising implementation and considering the unique needs of Lagos-based innovators and businesses.
Attendees at the review session praised the Lagos government’s inclusive approach to policy formulation. Several participants highlighted the importance of building legal and funding structures that can de-risk innovation for young entrepreneurs.
A startup founder, Chiamaka Ibeh, said:
“This bill has the potential to make Lagos not just a launchpad but a safe space for innovation. Having policy-backed support for tech businesses is crucial for Nigeria’s future competitiveness.”
Investors at the meeting also pointed out that a well-enforced innovation law could significantly increase foreign direct investment (FDI) into Lagos’ tech space, especially in sectors like fintech, healthtech, and clean energy.
Experts believe that once enacted, the Lagos Innovation Bill could drive economic diversification, reduce unemployment among youth, and help Nigeria become a net exporter of technology and services. The legislation is expected to stimulate job creation, improve access to global markets for local innovators, and enhance Lagos’ reputation as a smart city.
The Lagos State Government is expected to submit the final version of the bill to the State House of Assembly later this year after collating inputs from this engagement round and other ongoing consultations.
With Africa’s digital economy projected to reach $712 billion by 2050, Lagos is racing to position itself at the forefront of this transformation. The Lagos Innovation Bill could be the legal tool that anchors this ambition.