The Lagos State Government has said that public-private partnerships, backed by the strategic use of emerging technologies, will be central to improving governance and delivering essential services to its residents.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology Mr. Olatubosun Alake, made the remarks recently in Lagos during the 2025 edition of the Nigeria eGovernment Summit, organised by DigiServe Networks Services.
The summit, themed ‘Public-Private Partnership for Effective eGovernment Service Delivery’, convened senior government officials, technology experts, and private sector leaders to examine new models for digital governance.
Sanwo-Olu noted that as societies evolve, governments must embrace technology and innovation to meet rising demands for efficiency and inclusivity in public services. He pointed out that the World Bank has advised Nigeria to prioritise investments in human capital and infrastructure to drive inclusive growth but stressed that the government cannot achieve this alone.
“Public-private partnership is a necessary and important instrument for sustainable economic development,” he said. “Through PPPs, we can create more integrated financial design, construction, maintenance and operational solutions to infrastructure projects. Access to healthcare, education, and other socio-economic services can be better achieved through these models.”
The governor called on federal and state authorities to provide frameworks that enable private participation in public services, adding that collaboration would be vital in expanding access to healthcare, digital platforms, and economic opportunities for Lagosians.
In his keynote remarks, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, represented by Mr. Tunji Jimoh of the NCC Lagos Zonal Office, underscored the timeliness of PPP adoption for eGovernment services. He said the initiative aligned with Nigeria’s broader ambition to harness digital infrastructure, data systems and innovation as engines of growth and diversification.
“The Nigerian Communications Commission is at the centre of enabling these reforms by ensuring that networks underpinning PPPs are secure, reliable and inclusive,” Maida said.
“Broadband penetration has grown from 40 per cent five years ago to about 48 per cent in 2025, representing millions more Nigerians with digital access. We are also driving projects through the Universal Education Fund to connect schools, healthcare facilities, and rural communities, addressing the stark reality that digital exclusion is the new poverty.”
Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission, Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, represented by Head of Data Centre Infrastructure, Aliyu Gumi, said NIMC was aligning its digital identity initiatives with the national eGovernment agenda.
“The journey to a fully realised e-government is a collective one. It is built on the foundation of trusted digital identity powered by continuous innovation and unwavering collaboration,” she said.
Convener of the summit, Lanre Ajayi, explained that DigiServe, through six editions of the Nigeria eGovernment Summit, had created a platform that fosters trust and transparency between public agencies and private innovators.
“We have highlighted practical PPP models, successful procurement pathways, data governance best practices, and the crucial role of cybersecurity and resilience in public digital services,” he said.
Speakers agreed that stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors would help Lagos bridge service gaps in healthcare, education, and other essential areas, while also positioning the state as a model for digital governance in Nigeria.
