From left: Chairman on the occasion, Mr David Sunmoni, Sen. Oluranti Adebule, LASU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello and Assistant Director for Innovation & Technology Incubation, College of Engineering, Science, Technology and Agriculture, Central State University, Ohio, United States, Prof. Ibrahim Katampe, at the event
Senator Idiat Adebule (Lagos West) has called on the Lagos State House of Assembly to expedite action on the passage of the Lagos Innovation Bill, saying it would provide the legal foundation needed to strengthen research, development, and collaboration between academia and industry.
Adebule made the call on Wednesday while delivering the keynote address at the 7th Lagos State University (LASU) Research and Innovation Trade Fair, held at the Aderemi Makanjuola Lecture Theatre, Ojo. The event, themed “Promoting the Quadruple Helix Collaboration: Government, University, Industry and Community,” brought together researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders to explore ways of translating research into practical solutions.
The senator explained that the proposed legislation would establish a Research and Innovation Fund to support innovation hubs, technology parks, and provide incentives for doctoral and post-doctoral research across the state.
“The future of Lagos and Nigeria will not be determined by our exhaustible natural resources, but by how well we can innovate, collaborate and scale solutions using our resources,” she said.
Adebule emphasised that the Lagos and Nigerian economies must move beyond dependence on raw materials to become knowledge-driven societies powered by innovation and creativity. She urged government agencies, private sector leaders, academic institutions, and community stakeholders to leverage platforms like the LASU trade fair to build a sustainable innovation ecosystem.
She cited the example of Bell Labs Research Institute, whose breakthroughs in laser technology, solar cells, mobile communications, and the internet transformed industries and nations, underscoring how research can drive global relevance.
“Those who embrace research and creativity rise to prominence, while those who ignore them fade into obscurity,” she added.
In her welcome address, LASU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, said the annual trade fair represents the university’s commitment to transforming research outcomes into real-world impact.
“This fair is the manifestation of our deepest institutional commitment: to move beyond theoretical knowledge and translate our research into tangible solutions that drive development,” she said.
Olatunji-Bello added that sustainable development requires collaboration across sectors, noting that government provides the policy environment, universities generate talent and knowledge, industry commercialises innovation, and the community validates and benefits from it.
She reaffirmed LASU’s dedication to fostering partnerships that turn research insights into practical solutions to Lagos and Nigeria’s development challenges.