Lagos to roll out free public Wi-Fi, awards N800m to tech innovators
By Adeola Ogunrinde
The Lagos State Government has announced plans to provide free internet access in selected public spaces across the state in the last quarter of 2025. Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Olatubosun Alake, disclosed this during the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing held at Alausa, Ikeja.
Alake said the initiative is part of ongoing efforts to transform Lagos into a fully digitised megacity. He noted that the public Wi-Fi project would complement existing infrastructure aimed at boosting digital inclusion.
He revealed that over 60 innovators have received a total of N800 million in grants to develop technologies beneficial to the state. In addition, more than 70 research projects have been sponsored through the Lagos Science Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC).
To support traffic management and improve security, Alake said Intelligent Video Surveillance Cameras (IVDs) have been installed in strategic locations across Lagos.
On internet infrastructure, he stated that 3,000 km of metro fibre cable has been laid, resulting in over one million new internet subscribers in the last year.
Alake highlighted the ministry’s achievements in promoting e-governance, enhancing cybersecurity, enforcing digital traffic regulations, and driving data protection compliance—all through partnerships with the private sector.
He reported that 6,466,667 residents have so far registered with the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA), and 50,000 individuals are set to benefit from the Lagos State Digital Leap Programme.
The commissioner also noted that the state’s cyber defence has improved significantly, with thousands of attacks intercepted regularly and two major cyber threats successfully neutralised in the past year. He added that the ministry has digitised several government functions, incorporated AI-powered chatbots for service delivery, and streamlined Oracle-based payment systems for some public employees.
