The Lagos State Government has challenged Technology professionals to use their abilities to transform and develop the ‘Centre of Excellence.’
At the launch of Art of Technology Talkshop with Nairametrics in attendance, Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Femi Hamzat, explained that without technology, it would be impossible for the state to retain its leadership in the nation and break new grounds.
To move Lagos forward, he said, “There’s a need for technology experts to take the mantle and lead the state into a digital era. The development of government operations is dependent on the availability and improvement of tech.
“There is need for government and tech startups to collaborate in order to improve each other’s activities. Tech companies led the drive in other countries, and the same can be done in Nigeria and Lagos.”
What the event is about: The Art of Technology Talkshop is a gathering of tech practitioners within Lagos State and organised by the state government. The event was organised to outline challenges facing tech startups in order for the government to know how it can be of assistance.
The tech experts and other participants stated various challenges and problems faced in the tech space. The challenges were narrowed down to Funding, Access (to funding), Infrastructure and Talent. The main event will hold on December 5 and 6, 2019.
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There’s a need for change: While speaking at the event, the State’s Commissioner for Science and Technology, Fahm, said Lagos can’t continue to operate as usual, adding that for the state to progress, technology has to be integrated into its activities.
He urged tech startups to double-down and improve on their technology solutions because technology is the bedrock of most activities.
“Lagos State has a population of 22 million people or more, still growing, and we can’t continue to do business as usual in order to make everything sustainable.
“In order to move forward, we really need technology. And I’m glad one way or the other, you all have interest in technology or your livelihood depends on technology. We want you to take your passion, to continue to build on what you doing so that we can move Lagos state forward; in doing that, we move Lagos state forward, we move Africa forward because technology is the bedrock of most of the activities that we doing now and will continue to do,” Fahm said.