Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has restated his administration’s commitment to positioning Lagos as the driver of Nigeria’s ambition to achieve a $1 trillion economy by 2030 through innovation, technology, and digital solutions.
Sanwo-Olu made the pledge on Wednesday at the opening ceremony of the GITEX Nigeria Tech Expo and Future Economy Conference 2025, held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The expo, regarded as the largest gathering of technology visionaries and decision-makers, is attracting global tech giants such as IBM, Meta, MTN, AWS, and Cisco, alongside a vibrant showcase of homegrown startups.
Speaking at the event, Sanwo-Olu described Lagos as the “economic heartbeat of Nigeria and a beacon of opportunity across Africa,” stressing that the state is determined to showcase technology, foster partnerships, and build an innovation ecosystem that will strengthen Nigeria’s digital future.
“Today, as we explore the GITEX Nigeria Tech Expo and Future Economy Conference, we are doing more than just showcasing technology; we are building partnerships, sparking innovation, and laying the groundwork for Nigeria’s goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2030,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He noted that Lagos is home to 23 of Nigeria’s fastest-growing companies, according to the Financial Times, and praised the resilience of the city’s startup culture as well as the supportive policies driving its growth.
The governor commended 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 digital profile.
Tijani, in his remarks, highlighted the challenges of rapid urbanisation in Lagos, which welcomes about 2,000 new residents daily, stressing the urgent need for robust digital infrastructure.
He also unveiled a new federal government programme, beginning October 1, that will support 75 additional research projects in the digital sector, with the aim of boosting innovation, deepening participation among Nigerian researchers, entrepreneurs, and the diaspora.
The minister emphasised that scaling innovation will require stronger collaboration between startups, corporates, and government.
“Nigeria must build a resilient global digital system that goes beyond merely keeping pace with developments if it is to secure its future in the digital economy,” Tijani said.
The GITEX Nigeria 2025 Expo is jointly organised by the Lagos State Government, KAOUN International, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).