By Adedapo Adesanya
The Lagos State government through the Office of Innovation and Technology is organising the second edition of the Art of Technology (AOT) Lagos 2.0. curated by Eko Innovation Centre.
The two-day conference will bring together the best of tech minds from across the globe physically and virtually on the December 3 and 4, 2020, in line with its SMART City agenda of making Lagos a 21st-century economy.
Aptly themed Smart Data, SMARTER Lagos, the AOT Lagos 2.0 will facilitate multi-stakeholder discussions, exchanges and collaborations along the data value chain as an enabler of a SMARTER Lagos.
The conversation will centre on the fundamental role data plays in connecting the city with its citizens. Together, delegates will rub minds on how data can be collected, collated, analysed and deployed for governance, commerce and development.
The Vice President of Nigeria, Mr Yemi Osinbajo, will deliver the presidential address on Lagos, Driving a Smarter and Efficient Nigeria while Mr Isah Ali Pantami, the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, will speak on Nigeria in the eyes of the world: The data approach.
Mr Michael Seibel, CEO and Partner, Y-Combinator; Mr Demola Sogunle, CEO Stanbic IBTC; Ms Lisa Da Silva, Principal Investment Officer, International Finance Corporation; and Mr Tomi Davies, CEO, TVC Labs are keynote speakers.
According to the Curator of Art of Technology Lagos 1.0 and founder of Eko Innovation Centre, Mr Victor Gbenga Afolabi, the two-day summit will build on the success of the maiden edition held in 2019 with over 2,000 participants.
He noted that one of the key successes was the launch of the Lagos Innovation Master Plan which has continued to guide the Lagos state government in achieving its SMART City agenda.
In addition, the Governor of Lagos, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, announced a tech fund of N250 million to be managed by the Lagos State Science, Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC) headed by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos of which N100 million has already been disbursed. The Open Government Initiative and Lagos State Solution Hub were also launched.
This year’s conference will feature 60 industry speakers, 50 investors and 35 experience centres. There will also be an ideathon tagged Collaborate Lagos where innovative policies and tech-driven solutions aimed at achieving a SMARTER Lagos will be pitched by startups.
Also expected is the launch of a new tech product by Lagos State. Interactive panel discussions led by experts will cover transportation, agriculture, environment, education and healthcare. They will engage in the understanding of data economy, the opportunities it presents and the exponential change it could trigger. Plenary sessions will focus on exploring collaborative platforms to facilitate the sharing of the best ideas and innovations to inform policy and inspire collective action for scale and global impact.
Art of Technology Lagos 2.0 is sponsored by Access Bank with support from International Finance Corporation, Y Combinator, Lagos Innovates, Oracle, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund. Media partners are Brand Communicator and BusinessDay.
The hybrid event will happen through online VR experience via www.aotlagos.com, however, the physical ‘limited edition’ part will be hosted at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos and attendance is strictly by invitation.
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