In a bold move to cement its position as Africa’s premier hub for innovation, the Lagos State Government has inaugurated its newly formed Lagos State Science, Research & Innovation Council (LASRIC), tapping some of the brightest minds across academia, industry and the public sector to drive innovation and technological development in the state. Among the council members is, a veteran marketing leader and founder of the Eko Innovation Centre, Victor ‘Gbenga Afolabi.
While charging the council, Governor Babajide Sawo-Olu who was represented by the Deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat outlined six key areas of focus for the reconstituted LASRIC. These include promoting an environment conducive to innovation through increased funding, strategic collaborations, capacity-building initiatives, and a resolute focus on locally relevant solutions, among others.
Afolabi’s inclusion is seen as a major asset for LASRIC given his over two decades of experience promoting innovation, mentoring startups, and implementing sustainable technology solutions across Nigeria and Africa. As founder of the Eko Innovation Centre, he has empowered over 250 startup teams, creating thousands of jobs by nurturing entrepreneurship and innovation to address unemployment and poverty.
This is in addition to his extensive expertise which spans venture building, startup acceleration, angel investing, strategy formulation and market expansion across diverse sectors including marketing, media, telecommunications, energy, healthcare and software development.
Afolabi’s fellow appointees to the LASRIC Board represent a brain trust of Nigeria’s brightest minds and institutional innovators. They include Professor Olumuyiwa Odusanya, Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos (who chairs the council), Prof. Folashade Ogunsola, Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Yaba; Prof. Benjamin Aribisala, Director at Centre of Excellence for Sargassum Research and Lecturer at Lagos State University and Prof. Peter Bamkole, Chief Operating Officer, Pan Atlantic Universit .
Others are Sulaimon Abubakar, CEO of Sterling Bank; Mrs. Oreoluwa Somolu Lesi, Founder, Women Tech Empowerment Centre; Nkemdilim Begho, CEO of Future Soft Resource Ltd.; Tomi Davies, Collaborator in Chief, TVC Lab and Kola Aina, Founding Partner at Venture Platform. The public sector is represented by Hon. Tunbosun Alake, Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology (MIST); Hon. Mosopefolu George, Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget; Feyisayo Alayande, Executive Secretary of Lagos State Employment Trust Fund and Engr. Ibilola Kasunmu, Permanent Secretary (MIST).
An award-winning business leader – a respected figure in corporate and entrepreneurial circles, Afolabi has distinguished himself as a catalyst for technological revolution and digital disruption. As Group Managing Director of Hazon Holdings where the GDM Group, a multinational marketing and media technology powerhouse is a subsidiary, he has orchestrated groundbreaking campaigns, technology deployments and integrated marketing solutions for leading global brands, multibillion-dollar corporations and government agencies alike. Before his entrepreneurial endeavors, Afolabi built an illustrious corporate career at prestigious firms such as McKinsey & Company.
In his addressat the inauguration of the council, the Lagos State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr. Tunbosun Alake who is also a member of the council commended the Sanwo-Olu administration for consistently advancing innovation and technology to enhance the quality of life for Lagosians. Highlighting the tangible gains achieved thus far, he cited the success story of Pricepali, an agritech e-commerce company that received funding from LASRIC. PricePadi has experienced remarkable growth, expanding its operations from Lagos to Abuja and Port Harcourt, establishing healthy profit margins, and creating numerous employment opportunities, thereby generating substantial economic value.