Governor, Minister Tijani, global tech leaders, startups converge at GITEX Nigeria 2025
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fostering innovation, technology, and digital solutions as engines of sustainable growth, inclusivity, and prosperity.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the GITEX Nigeria Tech Expo and Future Economy Conference 2025 held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Sanwo-Olu said Lagos—Nigeria’s economic heartbeat and a beacon of opportunity in Africa—remains pivotal to the country’s aspiration of building a $1 trillion economy by 2030.
“Today, as we explore GITEX Nigeria, we are doing more than showcasing technology—we are building partnerships, sparking innovation, and laying the groundwork for Nigeria’s goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2030,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu noted that Lagos, home to 23 of Nigeria’s fastest-growing companies as recognized by the Financial Times, boasts a vibrant innovation ecosystem powered by progressive public policies, dynamic private enterprises, and a resilient startup culture.
He added that events like GITEX open new frontiers for talent development, digital infrastructure expansion, and strategic partnerships that will shape a digital Nigeria—and inspire a digital Africa.
The governor commended the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, for his visionary leadership in advancing AI infrastructure and inclusive digital solutions that are repositioning Nigeria on the global tech map.
In his remarks, Tijani noted that Lagos, as Nigeria’s commercial capital, is under growing strain from rapid urbanisation, receiving about 2,000 new residents daily. He said this makes the need for stronger digital infrastructure even more urgent.
He also unveiled a new government-backed programme, commencing October 1, that will support 75 additional research projects in the digital sector, aimed at driving innovation and deepening collaboration among Nigerian researchers, entrepreneurs, and the diaspora.
“Nigeria must not only keep pace with global developments but build a resilient digital system that secures our future in the global economy,” Tijani stressed.
The 2025 edition of GITEX Nigeria, organised by the Lagos State Government in partnership with KAOUN International, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and NITDA, is attracting global giants such as IBM, Meta, MTN, AWS, and Cisco, alongside a vibrant array of homegrown startups.
l-r: Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; CEO, Alami Capital Nigeria, Olu Olufemi-White; Director-General/CEO, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi; Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr. Bosun Tijani; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; GITEX Global organiser/CEO of Kaoun International, Trixie Lohmirmand; IFC Regional Director, Central and Anglophone West Africa, Dahlia Khalifa and UAE Consul General in Lagos, Mr. Salem Al Jaberi during the GITEX exhibition walkthrough and welcome address event, at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island in Lagos, on Wednesday, September 3, 2025.
