LASG reaffirms commitment to innovation, creative economy growth

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to supporting innovators, entrepreneurs and creative talents through policies and strategic partnerships aimed at building a globally competitive technology and creative ecosystem.

Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, stated this on Tuesday while representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the Omniverse Africa Summit 3.0 held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.

The summit, organised by the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) and Omniverse Africa, was themed “Connected Future: Synergy for Impact.”

Speaking on the significance of the event, Hamzat said the summit underscored the importance of collaboration among stakeholders in technology, culture and governance in shaping Africa’s future.

“The focus of this year’s summit, organised by the LSETF, was all about building a connected future through real collaboration. It is clear that when we sync our efforts across tech, culture and governance, the impact multiplies,” he said.

The deputy governor stressed that the state government would continue to create an enabling environment for innovation and creativity to thrive.

“Lagos remains fully committed to backing our innovators and creators, ensuring they have the right ecosystem to build solutions that transcend borders,” Hamzat added.

Speaking on behalf of the governor, he said Lagos was investing in broadband infrastructure, digital government services and innovation clusters to strengthen entrepreneurship and economic growth under the state’s THEMES+ Development Agenda.

According to him, the administration is deliberately building the conditions required for Lagos to consolidate its position as a leading technology and innovation hub in Africa.

As part of the state’s human capital development strategy, Hamzat disclosed that LSETF, in partnership with the United States African Development Foundation, is set to train 10,000 Lagos residents in industry-relevant skills across technology, construction, fashion, health and business sectors.

He also revealed that the agency disbursed ₦1.91 billion in affordable loans to more than 4,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in 2025, while grants worth over ₦23 million were provided to 65 businesses to support expansion and resilience.

The deputy governor further said LSETF facilitated paid internship opportunities for 2,500 young people and empowered 1,050 persons living with disabilities through entrepreneurship training and the provision of start-up tools.

He noted that the initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to reducing unemployment, promoting inclusion and expanding economic opportunities for residents across the state.

The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Gautier Mignot, reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital and creative economy, describing the country’s youthful population as both a major strength and a pressing economic challenge.

Mignot noted that Nigeria’s large youth population possesses immense energy, innovation and resourcefulness, but warned that the growing number of young people entering the labour market each year demands urgent and sustainable job creation strategies.

According to him, while traditional sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and extractive industries remain important, the rapidly expanding digital and creative economy offers a viable pathway for economic growth and employment generation.

“With a large population under the age of 40, Nigeria possesses remarkable vitality, innovation, and resourcefulness. However, the growing number of young people entering the labour market annually requires urgent and sustainable job creation strategies,” he said.

The ambassador added that Nigeria’s young people, having grown up in the digital age, are uniquely positioned to drive innovation and accelerate economic development, a trend increasingly evident across Africa.

Also speaking, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Nigeria, Annett Günther, underscored Germany’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem and economic transformation.

She described Nigeria as strategically positioned to shape Africa’s connected and technology-driven future, noting that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and green innovation are creating unprecedented opportunities for entrepreneurship and sustainable growth.

Günther said countries around the world face common challenges, including youth unemployment, climate change, economic resilience and equitable access to technological advancement.

“Countries across the world face shared challenges, including job creation for growing youth populations, climate change, economic resilience, and ensuring inclusive access to technological progress. As such, addressing these challenges requires collaboration, partnerships and interconnected systems, making platforms such as the Omniverse Summit increasingly significant,” she said.

In his welcome address, Omniverse Africa Co-Convener, Charles Emembolu, said the summit was founded on the belief that Africa’s future would be shaped by the collective strength of its people rather than isolated efforts by institutions or governments.

He described Africa’s human capital as its greatest asset, comprising innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers and creators capable of driving the continent’s transformation.

Emembolu, however, noted that despite Africa’s abundance of talent, ambition and creativity, access to capital, markets, networks and opportunities remains a significant challenge.

According to him, initiatives such as Omniverse Africa were created to bridge those gaps by connecting individuals and institutions working to accelerate Africa’s development.

“The future cannot be built by governments, institutions, or private actors working independently, but through deliberate collaboration among all stakeholders,” he said.

The summit brought together policymakers, development partners, investors, entrepreneurs and technology stakeholders to explore pathways for innovation, job creation and inclusive economic growth across Africa.