Lagos: The Lagos State Government and the Design Week have called for increased collaboration between the different levels of government and the private sector to expedite the nation’s industrialisation process. They made the call at the ongoing Design and Innovation Exhibition, organised by the Design Week in Lagos.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the exhibition is organised in partnership with Ecobank Nigeria and the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy. Titi Ogufere, founder of Design Week, emphasised the urgent need for a united effort from government officials, policymakers, and financial institutions to invest in the next phase of Nigeria’s industrialisation. Ogufere said this would be primarily driven by design, manufacturing, and innovation.
Ogufere highlighted how nations that had led the world, particularly through technological revolutions or manufacturing excellence, were built on design. She noted that the theme of the year’s event, ‘The Road to Industrialisation’, aimed to explore how to bridge the gap between designers and manufacturers to ensure that ideas evolve from concepts into tangible products. She stated that true economic progress is driven by design, manufacturing, and innovation, and emphasised the importance of creating the right policies, infrastructure, and business environments to empower designers, manufacturers, and entrepreneurs.
Ogufere also called for government policies that encourage industrial growth, making Nigeria an attractive destination for both local and foreign investors. She stressed the importance of prioritising skills development to equip the workforce with advanced manufacturing expertise.
Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment, described Lagos as the hub for industrialisation and innovation. She mentioned that industrialisation is a collective responsibility for both the government and the private sector. Ambrose-Medebem revealed that as part of efforts to transform the Lekki Economic Zone into Africa’s leading destination for manufacturing, trade, and investment, the Lagos State Government had introduced Operation Quadrant Ignite to strengthen the region’s infrastructure.
Ambrose-Medebem remarked that the Lagos State Industrial Policy 2025-2030 is designed to elevate Lagos into a globally competitive industrial hub. The policy aims to enhance infrastructure development by expanding industrial zones, improving transportation networks, and ensuring a stable power supply. It also seeks to foster a more efficient business environment by simplifying regulatory processes and fast-tracking approvals for industrial projects.
The event also marked the launch of Operation Quadrant Ignite by the Lagos State Government and featured the unveiling of ‘In Her Hands: Shaping the Future of Manufacturing in Africa’, a book by Demi Samande, Founder of Majeurs Holdings and SUSU Studios.