The Lagos State Government has announced plans to pass an Innovation Bill by mid-2026 aimed at strengthening collaboration between universities and the private sector to boost research, innovation, and commercial technology development in Nigeria’s most populous state.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr. Tubosun Alake, at the ongoing GITEX Global Technology Exhibition in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Alake said the bill, currently in its early stages, would provide a legal framework for partnerships between academic institutions and private companies, making it easier to fund research projects and turn academic findings into commercially viable products.
“We are currently in the formulation phase. The first draft will go through public consultation before presentation to the Lagos State Executive Council and then the House of Assembly for its first reading,” Alake explained. “Our target is to have the bill passed by the second or third quarter of 2026.”
According to the commissioner, the bill will allow private companies to commission research within universities and share in the intellectual property (IP) rights and commercial benefits of any product or service that results from such research.
“Imagine a company like MTN or Airtel needing a new radio device and contracting the University of Lagos to develop it. Both the company and the university would co-own the innovation and could even launch a business around it,” Alake said.
He explained that this model mirrors global best practices where research institutions play a key role in industrial innovation and entrepreneurship, such as in the United States, United Kingdom, and parts of Asia.
The bill is expected to close the gap between academic research and market demands, ensuring that studies conducted in Nigerian universities have real-world applications and can attract funding from industries.
Lagos is already recognised as Africa’s leading startup and innovation hub, hosting several technology parks, accelerators, incubators, and global partnerships. The state government has previously launched the Lagos Innovates programme, which provides funding, mentorship, training, and affordable workspaces for early-stage tech founders.
In recent years, Lagos has worked with global tech giants like Google, Meta, and Microsoft to improve digital literacy, skills development, and capacity building for young Nigerians.
Alake believes the proposed Innovation Bill will take these efforts further by institutionalising research and innovation partnerships and ensuring sustainable tech-driven development across sectors.
“This bill will further position Lagos as the epicentre of research-based innovation and sustainable technological growth in Africa,” he said.
The state government’s approach reflects a broader shift toward public-private partnerships (PPPs) in governance and development, especially in the tech and education sectors.
By creating a system where private firms can fund targeted academic research, the government hopes to reduce reliance on state funding and promote self-sustaining innovation ecosystems.
Stakeholders in the academic and tech sectors have welcomed the proposal, noting that a structured partnership between academia and industry is long overdue in Nigeria.
“This is a game-changer for research and development in Nigeria,” said a tech entrepreneur at the Lagos pavilion in Dubai. “It’s how Silicon Valley grew — through strong links between universities and businesses.”
With over 20 million residents and a booming youth population, Lagos continues to lead Nigeria’s digital transformation, and this Innovation Bill may be the next big step in shaping the state’s economic future through technology and research.
