The seventh edition of the Art of Technology Lagos (AOT Lagos 7.0) convened key stakeholders across the tech ecosystem; policymakers, founders, investors, researchers, government representatives, venture capitalists, startups, and innovators, on Thursday at the Landmark Event Centre, Lagos, for a landmark gathering focused on exploring the transformative potential of emerging technologies that support the city’s evolution into a leading technological hub in Africa.
With the theme “Future Technologies & a Sustainable Lagos,” the conference once again served as a powerful convergence point for Nigeria’s innovation community to examine the intersection of artificial intelligence, sustainability, smart infrastructure, digital transformation, and economic inclusion.
Delivering the keynote address, Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, reaffirmed the government’s vision for a smarter, greener, and safer megacity built on technology and collaboration. He highlighted the state’s investments in digital infrastructure, research, and innovation, revealing that over 2,500 kilometres of fibre-optic cables have been deployed across Lagos in the past five years to strengthen connectivity and service delivery.
Dr. Hamzat disclosed that through the Lagos State Science Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC), nearly ₦2 billion has been invested in startups and research initiatives across fintech, agritech, health tech, climate innovation, and more. He also revealed that over one million residents have benefited directly from enhanced digital connectivity.
“Lagos is your laboratory, your testbed, and your launchpad into Africa and the world,” the Deputy Governor told founders, investors, and innovators at the event. He added that the forthcoming Lagos Innovation Bill would institutionalize innovation as a core socio-economic driver, strengthen intellectual property protection, expand access to funding, and deepen collaboration among government, academia, and the private sector.
He further emphasized that initiatives such as the Intelligent Transport System, Safe City Surveillance Network, Cybersecurity Council, and digital government platforms are already delivering improved public safety, transparency, traffic management, and governance efficiency, positioning Lagos as one of Africa’s fastest-rising innovation cities.
Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr. Olatunbosun Alake, reflected on Lagos’ rapid growth as Africa’s foremost tech ecosystem. He revealed that Lagos now hosts over 80 percent of Nigeria’s 2,000 active startups, which together attracted more than $6 billion in investment between 2019 and 2024. He added that the Lagos tech ecosystem is currently valued at $15.3 billion, driven by sustained public-private collaboration.
Mr. Alake announced the upcoming Lagos Innovation Deal, a strategic framework designed to formalize innovation development, strengthen university–industry collaboration, expand research funding, and accelerate local tech commercialization. He reiterated the state’s commitment to deepening AI adoption, data protection, digital skills development, and smart city deployment.
Earlier in his welcome address, Dr. Victor Gbenga Afolabi, Founder of Eko Innovation Centre, underscored the urgency for cities to embrace future technologies in the face of climate change, population growth, and economic shifts.
“Cities generate nearly 80 percent of global GDP and about 75 percent of carbon emissions. With over half of the world’s population already in urban areas, integrating future technologies is no longer optional, it is essential,” he said.
AOT Lagos 7.0 featured a rich blend of keynote talks, panel sessions, and high-level networking, with discussions spanning artificial intelligence, clean energy, smart mobility, cybersecurity, climate innovation, digital public infrastructure, and entrepreneurship.
This year’s edition attracted an impressive lineup of global and regional thought leaders, including Sara Sabry, CEO of Deep Space Initiative and the first Egyptian and African Arab woman in space; Dr. Abba Aliyu, Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency; Seyi Akindeinde, Founder of Hyperspace Technologies Ltd, Lars Christer Johannisson, Chief Executive Officer, Rack Centre; Dr. Krishnan Ranganath, Regional Executive, African data Center; Tomi Davies, Collaboration in Chief, TVC Labs, Kola Masha, Founder, Babban Gona; Prof. Olumuyiwa Odusanya, Chairman, Lagos State Science Research and Innovation Council; Engr. (Mrs.) Ibilola Kasunmu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Lagos State among many others.
The conference featured high-level keynotes, panel sessions, exhibitions, and networking engagements, creating a powerful policy–innovation interface around inclusive development and sustainable economic growth.
As part of the conference, the 4th Edition of the Tech Ecosystem Awards took center stage, celebrating trailblazers revolutionizing Nigeria’s technology landscape through innovation, impact, and excellence. The award ceremony commenced at 6:30 PM with a distinguished audience of industry leaders, policymakers, founders, and investors.
The ceremony was opened by Dr. Victor Afolabi, who described the awards as a platform to celebrate bold ideas and visionary leadership. The Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr. Olatunbosun Alake, also delivered a goodwill address, commending the awards for strengthening Nigeria’s innovation culture and global competitiveness.
2025 Tech Ecosystem Award Winners:
- Women in Tech Award – Ada Nduka Oyom
- Technology Personality of the Year – Odunayo Eweniyi
- Tech Journalist of the Year – Frank Eleanya
- Sustainable Mobility Award – Maxdrive.ai
- Startup of the Year – Chowdeck
- Social Innovation Award – BudgIT
- Social Transformation Leadership Award – inDrive
- Local Investor of the Year – Oui Capital
- Inclusive Tech Award – Mamamoni
- FoodTech Startup of the Year – Foodstuff Store
- CleanTech Innovation Award – Creeds Energy
- Best Customer Service Startup Award – Bumpa
- AI & Robotics Excellence Award – CDIAL AI
The awards reaffirmed AOT Lagos’ role in spotlighting innovation that drives economic transformation, sustainability, and inclusive growth across Nigeria.
AOT Lagos 7.0 once again reaffirmed Lagos’ position as Africa’s leading innovation powerhouse, where policy, capital, technology, and talent converge to shape the future of a sustainable digital economy.
