The Lagos State Government has announced ambitious plans to enact a comprehensive Innovation Bill by mid-2026, a legislation designed to formally strengthen collaboration between tertiary institutions and the private sector. The bill aims to accelerate research, innovation, and technology-driven development within Nigeria’s commercial capital.
Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Tubosun Alake, disclosed the plan at the ongoing GITEX Global Technology Exhibition in Dubai. He stated that the proposed legislation seeks to establish a formal framework that enhances product development and ensures the commercialisation of research outputs from academic institutions.
According to Alake, the bill will empower private companies, such as major telecommunications firms, to directly fund specific research projects within tertiary institutions. Crucially, the resulting intellectual property (IP) and potential commercial benefits would be co-owned by both the private company and the academic institution, creating a direct financial incentive for market-relevant research.
“We are currently in the formulation phase. The first draft will be subjected to public scrutiny before presentation to the Lagos State Executive Council and subsequently the House of Assembly for its first reading,” Alake explained. He set the target for the bill’s passage between the second or third quarter of 2026.
Alake emphasized that this initiative will institutionalize collaboration between academia and industry, ensuring that university research aligns with real market demands, a model that reflects global best practices in innovation management. This move is intended to further position Lagos, already Africa’s prominent startup capital, as the epicentre of research-based innovation and sustainable technological growth on the continent. The state currently supports early-stage founders through its Lagos Innovates initiative and partnerships with global tech giants like Google and Meta.
