Table of Contents
- Announcement of Innovation Bill
- Purpose of the Legislation
- Commissioner's Insights
- Institutionalizing Collaboration
- Lagos as a Technology Hub
- Conclusion
The Lagos State Government has unveiled plans to introduce an Innovation Bill by mid-2026, aimed at enhancing collaboration between universities and the private sector.
This proposed legislation is intended to promote research, innovation, and technology-driven development in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
The Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Tubosun Alake, shared this information at the ongoing GITEX Global Technology Exhibition in Dubai.
He noted that the legislation aims to create a formal framework for partnerships between academic institutions and businesses to improve product development and commercialize research outcomes.
According to Alake, the bill will enable private companies to finance specific research projects within higher education institutions, allowing both entities to share ownership of the resulting intellectual property and the rights to potential commercial benefits.
“We are currently in the formulation phase. The initial draft will undergo public review before being presented to the Lagos State Executive Council and subsequently to the House of Assembly for its first reading,” he explained. “Our goal is to have the bill passed by the second or third quarter of 2026.”
The commissioner emphasized that this initiative will institutionalize collaboration between academia and industry, ensuring that research is aligned with actual market needs.
“Imagine a scenario where a company like MTN or Airtel needs a new radio device and commissions the University of Lagos to design it. Both parties would co-own the resulting innovation and could even establish a commercial enterprise around it,” Alake stated.
He further mentioned that this approach reflects global best practices in innovation management, where universities play a crucial role in driving industrial research and entrepreneurship.
As Nigeria’s leading technology hub, Lagos, which is home to over 20 million residents, has already established itself as the continent’s startup capital, hosting numerous accelerators, incubators, and global tech partnerships.
Through its Lagos Innovates initiative, the state provides support to early-stage founders with funding, mentorship, and workspaces, while collaborating with international tech giants such as Google and Meta to enhance digital literacy and capacity building.
“This bill will further establish Lagos as the center of research-based innovation and sustainable technological growth in Africa,” Alake affirmed.
What is the purpose of the Innovation Bill? The Innovation Bill aims to strengthen partnerships between universities and the private sector to enhance research, innovation, and technology-driven development in Lagos State.
The Innovation Bill aims to strengthen partnerships between universities and the private sector to enhance research, innovation, and technology-driven development in Lagos State.
When is the Innovation Bill expected to be enacted? The bill is targeted to be passed by the second or third quarter of 2026.
The bill is targeted to be passed by the second or third quarter of 2026.
How will the bill benefit private companies? The bill will allow private companies to fund specific research projects in universities, leading to shared ownership of intellectual property and potential commercial benefits.
The bill will allow private companies to fund specific research projects in universities, leading to shared ownership of intellectual property and potential commercial benefits.
