SEN. ADEBULE URGES LAGOS ASSEMBLY TO FAST-TRACK INNOVATION BILL TO BOOST RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY

SEN. ADEBULE URGES LAGOS ASSEMBLY TO FAST-TRACK INNOVATION BILL TO BOOST RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY

Former Lagos State Deputy Governor and Senator representing Lagos West, Senator Idiat Oluranti Adebule, has called on the Lagos State House of Assembly to expedite the passage of the Lagos Innovation Bill, describing it as vital to strengthening science, research, and technological advancement in the state.

Speaking at the Seventh Research and Innovation Fair of Lagos State University (LASU), Adebule said the bill would create a strong legal and financial framework for innovation across tertiary institutions and industries.

She explained that the bill “seeks not only to establish a legal framework but also to create a dedicated Research and Development Innovation Fund” to support innovation hubs, technology parks, start-ups, and research projects.

“The Lagos Assembly should fast-track the passage of the Lagos Innovation Bill to provide a solid legal framework. The move will grow the culture of innovation in Lagos and our tertiary institutions using the quadruple helix collaboration model,” she stated.

The event, themed “Promoting the Quadruple Helix Collaboration: Government, University, Industry, and Community,” provided a platform to discuss inclusive innovation involving government, academia, industry, and the community.

Adebule also urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to build on LASU’s innovation drive, noting that while infrastructural projects are ongoing, research funding remains critical.

“It is research that generates the new knowledge and innovations that shape societies and drive development,” she said.

In her remarks, LASU Vice Chancellor, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to turning research into practical solutions, describing the fair as a marketplace for ideas and partnerships.

“LASU is not just a university in Lagos but a university for Lagos,” she added.

Also speaking, Professor Ibrahim Katampe of Central State University, Ohio, stressed the need for translational research — converting academic discoveries into practical, real-world applications.