The Lagos State Government has moved a step closer to enacting a law to strengthen its innovation and technology ecosystem by unveiling a revised draft of the Lagos Innovation Bill. This was revealed during a high-level stakeholder engagement session held recently at the Marriott Hotel in Ikeja.
Organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, the session brought together stakeholders from the startup scene, academia, research institutions, and the broader tech ecosystem to provide input on the refined legislation. The bill is expected to serve as a foundation for promoting inclusive innovation across the state.
Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Olatunbosun Alake, who delivered the keynote presentation, described the bill as a “comprehensive, Lagos-specific framework” that will cover everything from knowledge institutions and research development to funding, infrastructure, and legal protection for ideas.
“This bill goes beyond startups,” Alake said. “It is designed to cover knowledge institutions, R&D, digital infrastructure, innovation funding, and legal frameworks to protect ideas and attract investment.”
He emphasised the need to replace fragmented innovation efforts with a structured model that nurtures the pipeline from idea to invention, startup, and then to globally competitive business.
“If we are serious about building an innovation economy, we must create systems that allow ideas to become inventions, inventions to become startups, and startups to scale into global businesses. That pipeline must be enabled by law,” he stated.
Alake also stressed that the bill aims to democratise innovation by making opportunities accessible beyond elite tech hubs. He explained that innovators in underserved areas such as Epe and Ikorodu must also benefit from funding, training, and infrastructure.
“If innovation is to be meaningful, it must be democratised. That means providing access to everyone from the university researcher in Epe to the agritech startup in Ikorodu,” he said.
In her welcome address, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr. Ibilola Kasunmu, said the session was designed to ensure stakeholder voices shape the bill’s final content. “We believe policy must be driven by those who live in the ecosystem,” she said. “You understand the bottlenecks, the regulatory frictions, and the investment gaps.”
She added that the bill is aimed at helping Lagos realise its ambition to become Africa’s innovation capital, with legal support for entrepreneurship, intellectual property protection, and investments across sectors.
Founder of Tech for Tech, Joel Ogunshola, who delivered a goodwill message, called the bill a “visionary and timely” step. He said Lagos is not trying to reinvent the wheel but to adapt it for local realities. “This is not just a tech bill; it is an economic growth framework,” Ogunshola said.
He also criticised national policies for failing to reflect sub-national dynamics and praised Lagos for attempting to align innovation policy with local needs.
During the event, Alex Adedipe, legal adviser to the ministry, provided a section-by-section walkthrough of the bill. Attendees then broke into groups to review key sections and offer feedback. The session concluded with a plenary presentation of stakeholder recommendations.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Broadband and Technology, Ganiyu Oseni, closed the event by expressing gratitude for the valuable feedback gathered and confirmed that further consultations would be held before the bill is submitted for legislative review.
“We remain committed to an open, inclusive process,” Oseni said. “The insights we’ve gathered here will shape the final draft, ensuring it reflects the collective wisdom of the ecosystem it is meant to serve.”
The Lagos Innovation Bill, once passed, is expected to play a key role in creating a coordinated, resilient, and inclusive tech and innovation ecosystem in Nigeria’s commercial hub.
