By 
By Oluwatobi Opusunju
Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital of over 15 million people is logging its residents into cyberspace with free wifi services as part of its smart city initiative and a highlight of its 50th anniversary ceremony.
The Lagos State government in partnership with MainOne has unveiled free wifi services in parks around Lagos; starting with Ndubuisi Kanu Park, located at Alausa, Ikeja, while plans unfold to make free internet access facility available in all the city’s parks.
The Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode who was represented by the Honorable Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Olufemi Odubiyi at a ceremony to mark the event said one of the overriding policy objectives of his administration was to build a globally competitive economy and achieving this would entail keying into new ways of doing things and the deployment of technology, especially the internet.
“It is consistent with our commitment to make Lagos work for all. Parks and gardens have been established in different parts of the state to provide a conducive environment for recreation and relaxation. Just last week, the number of gardens and parks in the state increased with the opening of the Badagry Park,” he said.
“The increased patronage of these facilities, which is no longer restricted to festive season, has made it necessary to equip these centres with free wifi to serve the needs of visitors to these parks. As you relax and enjoy the recreation facilities in these parks, we are also making it possible for you to access your email, browse and search the internet on your tablets, smartphones and laptops, via a reliable public wifi,” he added.
Lagos is increasingly becoming one of Africa’s most connected cities, as pop icon and founder of Mavin Records, Don Jazzy in collaboration with a technology company, Tsaboin, is already offering free wifi services called ‘Flobyt’ across several locations in Lagos like Bar Enclave, Ilupeju; FoodHouse, Ikosi; Lounge 9ja, Anthony; Massimo Bar, Ikeja; Grace’s Cakes, Ogba; Jazzment Salon Lekki; Kayz Place Barbershop, Lekki; Amala Express, Lekki; White House, Sabo, Yaba and Road Star Burger, Lekki.
