GITEX Nigeria: Sanwo-Olu Says Lagos Will Drive Nigeria’s $1 Trillion Economic Ambition
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared that Lagos will play a leading role in achieving Nigeria’s target of becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2030.
The governor made this statement at the maiden edition of the GITEX Nigeria Tech Expo and Future Economy Conference held in Lagos, a gathering that brought together global technology leaders, innovators, and policymakers.
Sanwo-Olu described Lagos as the “economic heartbeat of Nigeria and a beacon of opportunity in Africa,” stressing that the state is uniquely positioned to power the country’s economic transformation.
He noted that through technology, innovation, and digital partnerships, Lagos is already laying the foundation for sustainable growth and will be at the forefront of driving the federal government’s economic diversification agenda.
The event, backed by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), featured major players such as IBM, Meta, MTN, Amazon Web Services, and leading African startups. It provided a platform for showcasing homegrown solutions while opening doors for collaboration with global partners.
Sanwo-Olu highlighted that the hosting of GITEX Nigeria was more than symbolic. According to him, it reflects a deliberate strategy to position Lagos and Nigeria as global tech hubs capable of attracting investment, nurturing talent, and fostering a thriving digital ecosystem.
He added that this vision ties directly to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places innovation and digitisation at the heart of economic policy.
The governor also stressed the importance of building infrastructure to support digital growth and encouraged Nigerian youths to seize opportunities in artificial intelligence, software engineering, and digital entrepreneurship. Civil society groups and industry leaders welcomed the state’s commitment, describing it as a bold step toward job creation, wealth generation, and positioning Nigeria as a continental leader in the knowledge economy.
The GITEX Nigeria Tech Expo is expected to become an annual gathering for policymakers, investors, and innovators, with Lagos taking the lead in using technology to drive Nigeria closer to its trillion-dollar economic goal.
