LAGOS, Nigeria – The number of internet subscribers in Lagos has risen to one million. This significant boost occurred between 2024 and 2025, and is largely due to efforts by the state government in rolling out 6,000km fibre optic ducts.
This piece of information was disclosed by the State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Olatunbosun Alake, at the ongoing yearly ministerial press briefing to mark the 2nd year in office of the 2nd term of the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at Alausa, Ikeja.
While explaining the mandate of the ministry, the Commissioner listed among others science and policy promotion, infrastructure management, science and ICT Advisory, IT-Service management, smart projects, and e-governance.
He said, “Building a digitized city will require physical infrastructure connections to improve the digital connectivity of the State.
“The MetroFibre project seeks to deliver 6,000km of optical fibre and optical fibre ducts for increase in digital penetration.
He, therefore noted, “Due to efforts in fibre roll out and connectivity, the number of internet subscribers increased to approximately one million between 2024 and 2025.”
In building a digitized 24/7 city, Alake explained that there has been the introduction of Intelligent Video Surveillance systems installed in areas such as Alapere, Bank Anthony Way areas of the State.
He said it would allow companies to operate in a safe and secure environment, thereby creating a safer and more conducive environment for businesses, which would lead to more jobs and an increase in IGR of the State.
Also speaking on Artificial Intelligence, Alake explained AI is now astronomical and we know the danger in it. So we want to ensure that when people build the AI, it is safe and takes our diversity into consideration and also make sure it is fair.
He added, “We will be giving guidelines for those who build. This is not a strait-jacket policy but a self-assessment policy. We don’t want to stem innovations, so we will not enforce the guidelines,” he added.
In the meantime, the State government, through the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency, LASRR, has so far registered 6,465, 667 residents.
Out of the total registered, the number of adults was 4,058,833 while children was 2,407,224.
Alake stated that the government targets to register over 20 million while working vigorously to register 10 million in the next two years.
He also disclosed that in simplifying access to the state government, there is introduction of New Lagos State Digital Service Platform, where citizens are engaged for appropriate feedback on government activities.
