MIST holds stakeholders forum on Lagos Innovation Bill

The Lagos State Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (MIST) has held another stakeholder engagement session on the Lagos Innovation Bill. The session, which took place at the Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, was attended by a cross-section of critical stakeholders from the technology and innovation ecosystem.

The event marked a continuation of a broader series of engagements that the Ministry has hosted over time to co-create the Bill which seeks to provide a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework to power the development of science, technology, and innovation in Lagos. At this latest session, the Ministry presented a refined draft of the bill to key actors across the ecosystem, opening the floor for dialogue, critique, and suggestions as part of an inclusive process to ensure the bill is not only fit for purpose but also owned by the community it intends to serve.

Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr. Olatunbosun Alake, who delivered the keynote, provided both historical and philosophical context to the bill. Citing global case studies—including the evolution of Silicon Valley—he explained that Lagos must adopt a structured, intentional approach to innovation that moves beyond pilot projects and scattered initiatives.

“If we are serious about building an innovation economy, then we must create systems that allow ideas to become inventions, inventions to become startups, and startups to scale into global businesses. That pipeline must be enabled by law,” Alake stated.

He added that following up on the Nigerian Startup Act, the Bill seeks to additionally cover the full spectrum of the innovation pipeline, including the universities, industries etc.