There is one phrase that is going viral in under-developed nations like Nigeria, and that is the concept of “smart city.” The idea of smart city is not new. It has been in existence for decades in developed nations. If not for challenges, ranging from bad leadership to lack of clear cut vision that have plagued Nigeria, perhaps one or more of the cities in Nigeria would have become smart cities by now.
Apparently, Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria, has got it wrong over the years. Her keen appetite to be at the same level with the likes of Vienna, Tokyo, Berlin, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Toronto, Hong Kong, New York, Paris, and London (the top 10 smart cities in the world) cannot be denied.
Some states in Nigeria, especially, Lagos, are looking forward to transforming into smart cities rapidly in few years to come. No doubt, Lagos is is the economic hub of West Africa and its current administration is poised to getting it right in the area of achieving the smart city status.
The quest and efforts of the Lagos State Government towards this course cannot be underestimated. Its efforts towards achieving the smart city status is quite commendable, having signed a treaty with Dubai Holdings, LLC, owners of smart city (Dubai), to develop a sustainable, globally connected, knowledge-based community that drives a knowledgeable economy. Truly, this recent move by the Lagos State Government is a reinforcing testament to the unique mark of innovation and zeal that has so far characterised the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.
The governor has said that it is a deliberate attempt by the state government to establish a strong convergence between technology/economic development and governance. There is the strong perception that the move will attract multi-billion dollar investments to Lagos; create thousands of jobs and transform the state.
The fact, however, remains that the Lagos State Government will need to address some fundamental issues first, if it must achieve the smart city status.
Bottlenecks
One of the issues that the Lagos State Government must address before it attains the smart city status is that it must look inwards to ascertain if it has the impetus of being a smart city. That is not to undermine Lagos State’s efforts but we must cultivate the habit of addressing primary issues before transcending to secondary issues.
Mind you, a smart city, systematically, creates and encourages innovations in systems that are enabled by technology. It changes the relationships between the creation of economic and social values and the consumption of resources as well as contributes in a coordinated way to — Finish Reading on the Punch Website
