Lagos State to Transform Sabo Industrial Estate into a Technology Hub Like Silicon Valley

The Lagos State Government has concluded plans to transform the Sabo Industrial Estate in Yaba into a technology hub like Silicon Valley.

The plan to transform the Yaba cluster into a Silicon Valley was made known by the Lagos State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Hakeem Fahm, during the 2018 Ministerial Press Briefing in commemoration of the third year of the administration of Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode.

Yaba to become Nigeria and Africa Silicon Valley#Nigeria @followlasg #Lagos pic.twitter.com/9Tn2dIhOMR

— Amazing Tech Facts (@AmazinTechFacts) May 15, 2018

And in case you didn’t know, Silicon Valley is a region in San Francisco, California considered to be the technology hub of the United States. The region is made up a number of computer companies and computer chip manufacturers. It got its nickname from the silicon used in producing computer chips. As a matter of fact, top companies like Google, Facebook are located in Silicon Valley.

What a Lagos Tech Hub Would Mean for the Nigerian Technology Sector

A well-structured technology hub would give rise to new sets of entrepreneurs and innovators that will address the challenges confronting the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector in Nigeria.

Hopefully, it will also create an enabling environment for the technology startups located in the area to succeed and thrive.

Lagos is the Silicon Valley of Nigeria, and should position itself to be the Silicon Valley of West Africa by working to attract talent from other West African countries.

— Mark Essien (@markessien) May 7, 2018

Additionally, a congregation of technology entrepreneurs and support service providers will serve as a platform for the conceptualization, germination and penetration of Information Technology (IT) service to the state and Nigeria as a whole.

Starting from Lagos state, a Nigerian Silicon Valley will also serve as the catalyst for IT penetration in Nigeria and Africa.

Speaking during the Press Briefing, Mr. Fahm said:

With the burgeoning youth population facing growing employment challenges, Lagos State saw the need to embrace software development and key into vast opportunities available therein. This initiative will boost innovation and creativity among youths with soft skills knowledge and promote knowledge, employment generation, wealth creation and economic prosperity for Lagos State government and residents.

According to the Commissioner, the Government has set up a committee to work on the design, framework and structure for the technology hub which would be ready in 18 months.