The Lagos State Government has intensified efforts to collaborate with the private sector as it seeks to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) across governance, service delivery and the wider digital economy.
State officials made the case for deeper public–private collaboration at a recent technology-focused forum, stressing that AI adoption at scale would require expertise, investment and innovation largely driven by private enterprises. According to the government, partnerships with technology firms, startups and research institutions are critical to embedding AI into public administration while maintaining efficiency, transparency and data security.
Lagos, Nigeria’s economic hub, has positioned itself as a leading centre for technology and innovation in Africa. With a population estimated at over 20 million and a fast-growing digital economy, the state views AI as a strategic tool to improve public services, manage urban challenges and enhance competitiveness.
Officials noted that areas such as traffic management, healthcare delivery, education, security and revenue administration could benefit significantly from AI-driven solutions, particularly in data analysis and predictive modelling. However, they acknowledged that government alone lacks the technical capacity and resources to design and deploy advanced AI systems at the pace required.
“The private sector already drives much of Nigeria’s technology innovation,” one senior official said at the event. “What government must do is create the right environment-policy clarity, data protection frameworks and openness to collaboration-to ensure AI solutions deliver public value.”
The emphasis on synergy reflects a broader shift in the role of government, from direct developer of technology to enabler and regulator. Rather than building proprietary systems, Lagos is seeking to leverage private-sector capabilities while providing oversight to ensure ethical use of AI, protection of citizens’ data and alignment with public interest.
Industry stakeholders at the forum welcomed the approach, noting that clearer collaboration frameworks could unlock investment, support local startups and create new high-value digital jobs. They also cautioned that trust, transparency and regulatory certainty would be essential for sustained partnerships.
Analysts say the success of Lagos’ strategy will depend on execution. While partnerships can speed up innovation, weak governance structures could expose public systems to risks such as data misuse, vendor lock-in or unequal access to technology. As a result, experts argue that strong institutional capacity and accountability mechanisms must accompany any AI rollout.
As Lagos advances its AI agenda, its approach is likely to attract national attention. Given the state’s influence on Nigeria’s economic and policy landscape, its experiment with private-sector
led AI adoption could serve as a model-or a warning-for other states navigating the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence.
Senior Reporter/Editor
Bio: Ugochukwu is a freelance journalist and Editor at AIbase.ng, with a strong professional focus on investigative reporting. He holds a degree in Mass Communication and brings extensive experience in news gathering, reporting, and editorial writing. With over a decade of active engagement across diverse news sources, he contributes in-depth analytical, practical, and expository articles that explore artificial intelligence and its real-world impact. His seasoned newsroom experience and well-established information networks provide AIbase.ng with credible, timely, and high-quality coverage of emerging AI developments.