As part of plans to make Lagos State a hub for innovation and technology, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday, December 27, 2019, presented a seed fund of Two Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (₦250 million) to Lagos State Science Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC).
LASRIC is a Lagos State initiative saddled with the responsibility of boosting research, innovation and technology in the State. It comprises of a 16-man team, under the leadership of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe, FAS.
Lagos State Governor, during the presentation of the cheque at the Government House in Alausa, disclosed that the fund would enable technology start-ups to come up with local innovative technologies that would enhance the economy. He charged the Council to ensure that the criteria to access the fund is flexible enough for Lagosians to benefit from.
In his response, Chairman of the Council, Professor Toyin Ogundipe, expressed the Council’s drive to partner with several non-governmental organisations for the benefit of Lagos State. He disclosed that towards the end of January 2020 or the beginning of February 2020, the Council aims to conduct a training session in collaboration with Microsoft for about 30 participants on HoloLens, where participants will be drawn from Lagos State University (LASU); Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTEC); the University of Lagos, and the Ministry of Science and Technology.
The Microsoft HoloLens is a virtual reality headset with transparent lenses for augmented reality experience. With it, a wearer can move around an object, manipulate it, and experience it as if it were actually present.
Prof. Ogundipe also shared the past activities of the Council, highlighting that it had focused more on the research aspect of its mandate before now. He averred that in the coming year, more in the areas of innovation and skills development will be seen from the Council.
Below are pictorial highlights of the meeting:
