The Lagos State Government has restated its commitment to youth-driven innovation and digital entrepreneurship, declaring that the future prosperity of the state will be shaped by young tech talents, developers and creatives.
Lagos State Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Hon. Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, gave the assurance while delivering the keynote address as Special Guest at the Codefest Nigerian Hackathon Expo & Awards 2025 held at the University of Lagos, Akoka. He was represented by the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Mrs Kudirat Bello.
Ajigbotafe commended Codefest Nigeria for its remarkable achievements, including developing 92 innovative tech solutions and earning a place in the Guinness World Records. He described the platform as evidence of the ingenuity and global competitiveness of young Nigerians.
According to him, the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment is determined to convert the potential of Lagos youths into measurable prosperity through targeted skill development, entrepreneurship support and employment creation initiatives. He stressed that ideas and digital innovation—not physical resources—will define the future of economic growth.
“In today’s world, wealth is created by digging for ideas. Every solution showcased at this Hackathon has the potential to become a sustainable business, a job creator and a service that improves the lives of Lagos residents,” he said.
He urged participants to channel their creativity into solving practical challenges such as improving primary healthcare delivery, tackling traffic issues and expanding access to job opportunities. He assured that the Lagos State Government is ready to partner with innovators and adopt viable solutions within its ministries and agencies.
Guest Speaker and CEO of Triberry Nigeria, Mr Vinod Kaurati, noted that automation, artificial intelligence and cloud technology are already redefining global industries. He projected that Africa will emerge as a global technology leader by 2030, with Nigeria alone requiring an estimated 30 million tech professionals.
Similarly, the Managing Director of Mekatrice Group, Dr Kingsley Oboti, highlighted the importance of investing in digital infrastructure to unlock Africa’s economic transformation.
One of the standout moments at the Hackathon was the display of a remote-controlled car built entirely from discarded materials by young innovator Israel Destiny, drawing admiration from guests and participants.
The Commissioner applauded Codefest International and the University of Lagos for their continued investment in youth empowerment and innovation. He reiterated Lagos State’s commitment to building a future-ready, digitally skilled workforce capable of driving sustainable development.
