Lagos to deploy further 1,200km fiber-optic cable in 2025 – Sanwo-Olu 

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has introduced plans to increase the state’s fibre-optic community by an extra 1,200 kilometers in 2025, complementing the present 2,500 kilometers.

Sanwo-Olu stated this on Thursday on the sixth version of the Artwork of Expertise Lagos Convention, which had the theme, “AI and the Lagos Digital Economic system.”

The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, stated the state additionally had plans to host world-class knowledge centres in Lagos throughout the subsequent 24 months.

In keeping with Sanwo-Olu, these initiatives will present the spine for scalable, modern options, and additional solidify Lagos’ place as Africa’s main know-how hub.

Lagos as Africa’s tech hub 

Sanwo-Olu famous that Lagos isn’t just Nigeria’s financial nerve centre, but additionally Africa’s main know-how hub, accounting for over 60% of Nigeria’s tech startups.

• The governor highlighted the state’s achievements within the tech house, together with the elevating of over 1.2 billion {dollars} by Lagos-based startups in 2023, which accounted for 75% of all startup investments in Nigeria.
• Sanwo-Olu stated these achievements had been a results of deliberate insurance policies and investments that had created an enabling setting for innovation to thrive.
• He stated over 450 sensible cameras below the Protected Metropolis Challenge would enhance public security and visitors administration, in addition to the Lagos Digital Service Platform.

“The platform is a transformative device that embodies the state’s imaginative and prescient of accessible, clear, and environment friendly governance. 

“We’re extending Lagos’ fiber-optic community by an extra 1,200 kilometers over the subsequent 12 months, complementing the present 2,500 kilometers. This can considerably increase connectivity for companies, colleges, and residents. 

“These initiatives will not be nearly infrastructure, they’re about empowering our folks and driving sustainable improvement throughout sectors,” he stated 

Digitizing authorities companies 

Whereas noting that the state’s digitisation efforts have been yielding constructive outcomes, the Governor disclosed that 14 businesses of the federal government have already digitised citizen-facing companies, making certain larger transparency, effectivity, and accessibility. 

“With the Enterprise Structure Challenge, we’re harmonising knowledge programs to organize for AI-driven service supply. 

“This innovation will guarantee quicker responses and smoother interactions between residents and authorities,” he stated.

• Sanwo-Olu added that the Lagos digital service platform would bridge the hole between the federal government and the folks, fostering belief and delivering impactful outcomes.
• He additionally highlighted the state’s dedication to sustainability, noting that the Lagos State Science, Analysis, and Innovation Council (LASRIC) had supported over 65 startups and 75 analysis initiatives throughout Lagos.

What you need to know 

• On the federal degree, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economic system, Dr. Bosun Tijani can be spearheading a nationwide fibre challenge to deploy an extra 90,000 kilometers of fibre-optic cable throughout the nation to spice up connectivity.
• The challenge is to be delivered by a Particular Goal Automobile (SPV) just lately authorized by the Federal Govt Council (FEC).
• In keeping with the Minister the federal government has been in talks with financiers together with the World Bank to carry the fibre challenge to actuality.