Sanwo-Olu supports innovators, tech firms with N100 million

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has supported 23 innovators and technology firms with N100 million grant.

He advised the beneficiaries to ‘Justify the opportunity.’

Beneficiaries are to pursue various technology-driven innovations across the six pillars of the development agenda of Sanwo-Olu.

State Government earmarked N250 million seed capital in 2019.The recipients are the first set of beneficiaries from the Research and Innovation Fund.

The awardees were selected through highly competitive process overseen by the Lagos State Science Research and Innovation Council, LASRIC.

SANWO-OLU ESTABLISHES LASRIC

Governor Sanwo-Olu established LASRIC in 2019.

Its mandate is to facilitate and encourage development of innovative solutions to solve local problems, using cutting-edge technology.

The Governor congratulated the successful awardees of the research funds. He urged them to apply the grant judiciously to transform their ideas into reality.

Sanwo-Olu said his administration was born with the sole aim to solve contemporary challenges facing the State. He stressed that the grant was initiated to empower local innovators and thinkers with knowledge to create specific solutions for local challenges.

He said: “Last December, we inaugurated the Research and Innovation Council with a seed fund of N250 million. This was in demonstration of our commitment to transform Lagos into a 21st century digital economy and Smart City.

“The body has a mandate to facilitate investment in science research, innovation, and STEM education throughout the State.

“Similarly, the body should encourage the development of innovative solutions to problems, using cutting-edge technology.”

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

The governor said “We are here today to match our words with action, by handing out grants from the LASRIC’s Research and Innovation Fund to successful applicants.

“I congratulate all awardees and beneficiaries of our very first set. As a Government, we believe in applicant’s capacity to create ideas that proffer solutions to our current challenges. 

“Government embarked on this unique project with the belief that local challenges are best solved through thinking and appreciating local contexts and peculiarities.

“We believe in Lagos-supported solutions for Lagos-specific challenges. With the presentation of the grants, the responsibility now firmly rests on the recipients’ shoulders to justify the opportunity.”

Sanwo-Olu noted that science and technology remain key enablers to transform the socio-economic destinies of cities. The governor observed that any serious Government must give total commitment to application of technology and innovation to drive service delivery in transport management, healthcare, education, waste management, security and governance.

He said Lagos is on a journey to properly identify, enable and build great human potential through flagship technology-driven projects. Sanwo-Olu identified Metrofibre programme and Smart City initiative.

The Lagos Chief Executive added that the government is working on transforming civil service by encouraging innovative thinking and deploying technology tools and processes. Metrofibre project and the Smart City initiative are flagship projects and key enablers for achieving this.”

The Governor urged unsuccessful applicants not to lose hope. He charged them to re-apply for the grant in the next round of selection. He said the State Government would be increasing the grant to accommodate more innovators in the subsequent application.

GOVERNOR’S AIDE TASKS AWARDEES

The Governor’s Special Adviser on Innovation and Technology, Hon. Olatunbosun Alake, described the ceremony as “tangible development” in Lagos governance.

He said the awardees would be initiating innovation in key areas of manufacturing, food security and health management.

“Lagos development will be sourced from the research initiatives of the innovative startups.

“Today’s event is the first in many of this administration’s support and development of the science and technology ecosystem,” Alake said.

Professor  Oluwatoyin Ogundipe said the event was a testimony of Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to the development of innovative solutions to challenges facing the State.

He said the Council would continue to assist the government to harness human and material resources of Lagos for problem-solving, wealth creation and transformation of the State’s economy.

The high point was the presentation of cheques to the awardees by the Governor. 

Founder of Price Pally, Luther Lawoyin, who received N5 million grant, praised the Governor for creating opportunities for tech startups.

He said his business depended on data management, promising to invest the grant in improving food security.