The Lagos State Government and Design Week have stressed the importance of public-private partnerships in accelerating the pace of industrialisation in the country.

The call was made at the just-concluded Design & Innovation Exhibition, organised by Design Week, Lagos, in partnership with Ecobank Nigeria and the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy.

Founder of Design Week, Lagos, Titi Ogufere, 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, which will be primarily driven by design, manufacturing, and innovation.

Ogufere highlighted how nations that have led the world, particularly through technological revolutions or manufacturing excellence, were built on design.

Ogufere noted that the theme of this 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 asserted, “History has shown us that design and industrialisation go hand in hand. True economic progress is driven by design, manufacturing, and innovation. The nations that have led the world—whether through technological revolutions or manufacturing excellence—have been built by design.

“We are a nation rich in talent, resources, and ideas, as seen in this exhibition. But potential alone is not enough. To move from vision to reality, we must create the right policies, infrastructure, and business environments that empower designers, manufacturers, and entrepreneurs to produce at scale, not just for local markets, but for export.”

Ogufere further stated that to achieve rapid industrialisation, it is vital to “bridge the gap between designers and manufacturers, ensuring that ideas do not remain concepts but become tangible products.”

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 the founder of Majeurs Holdings and SUSU Studios, Demi Samande.

Lagos State’s Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, emphasised that Lagos remains a hub for industrialisation and innovation. She added 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 has introduced Operation Quadrant Ignite to strengthen the region’s infrastructure.

She noted, “The Lagos State Industrial Policy 2025–2030 is not just a vision but a structured roadmap 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 to meet the state’s growing demand. It will also foster a more efficient business environment by simplifying regulatory processes, eliminating bureaucratic obstacles, and fast-tracking approvals for industrial projects to attract both local and international investors.”