Sanwo-Olu Seeks Synergy Between Govt, Industry, Academia For Creative Economy

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called for synergy between government, industry, the academia and civil society to build a future where the digital heartbeat of Lagos will resonate across the globe.

Governor Sanwo-Olu made the call at the Opening ceremony of the Art Of Technology (AOT) Lagos 5.0 Conference themed: “The Creative Economy and a Digital Lagos” held on Thursday at Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

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 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.”

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, 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, Lagos State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr. Olatubosun Alake, 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.

Nigerian actor and film producer, Mr. Kunle Afolayan, while speaking at the conference, 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.