The Lagos State Government has announced the allocation of a ₦1 billion seed fund aimed at fostering scalable research projects, as part of its commitment to promoting innovation, science, and technology.
This was revealed by the Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology, Hon. Olatunbosun Alake, during the opening ceremony of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) 2024 Data Science School on Monday, August 19, 2024.
The keynote address, titled “Developing Skills for the Future: Data Science and Training,” emphasized the crucial role of data science in advancing smart city initiatives and sustainable development across Lagos.
Representing the Commissioner, Mr. Alani Lateef, the Coordinator of the Lagos State Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC), stressed the importance of such training programmes, which align with the state’s goal to transform Lagos into a smart city.
Participants of the Data Science School were encouraged to utilise the LASRIC Seed Fund to drive wealth creation, growth, and address societal challenges within the state.
This initiative underscores the state government’s dedication to building a robust ecosystem of research and technological innovation.
Professor Olayinka Taiwo Asekun, the Dean of the Faculty of Science at UNILAG, delivered remarks on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola.
She lauded the Data Science School as a strategic initiative that positions the university at the forefront of technological innovation and research. “We are at a crossroads in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Data science has become a cornerstone of innovation that is driving insights and shaping decisions in every sector, and we cannot but tap into it,” Professor Asekun stated.
Dr. Bridget Nkemnole, the Acting Head of the Department of Statistics at UNILAG, also expressed her appreciation for the successful organization of the event. She highlighted the significance of data science in today’s technological era and expressed her excitement about the new opportunities that the school would offer to students and researchers.
The event featured several dignitaries, including Professor M.O Adamu, Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC); Professor Olubusayo Elisa, Head of the Department of Statistics at the University of Ibadan; and Dr. Rose Ray, Coordinator of Statistics Without Borders (SWB), who joined the event virtually. They all commended the initiative and advocated for continued international collaborations in data science to address global challenges.
A key highlight of the ceremony was a lecture by Dr. Victor Odumuyiwa, Director of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). His presentation, titled “Big Data for Smart City Initiative,” explored how big data can transform urban environments, making them smarter and more efficient.
The two-week training programme, running from August 19th to 30th, 2024, reflects UNILAG’s commitment to advancing the field of data science and contributing to global technological progress.
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