- Sunday, April 28, 2024
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President Bola Tinubu has said
his administration is sustaining investments in digital technology with the aim
of turning Nigeria to Africa's information and communications technology
leader.
Tinubu stated this when he
received a delegation from Meta Platforms Incorporated, led by Sir Nick Clegg,
former UK Deputy Prime Minister and Meta's President of Global Affairs, at the
State House, Abuja.
According to a statement issued
by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the President
also said part of the objective for the investment is to enhance the
sustainability of small businesses, expand opportunities across sectors.
He said Nigeria cannot afford to
be left behind in this age of technological advancements hence, his
administration is opening up channels of opportunities in information and
communications technology, deepening capacity, and fostering partnerships.
In view of his administration's
3MTT programme, which is training three million Nigerian youths in digital
technology and essential skills before deploying them to innovation hubs across
the nation, the president said Nigerian youths are the most critical asset in
the country's arsenal as it moves to achieve digital economic expansion.
"For us in Nigeria, we have
a vibrant, gifted and resourceful youth population. Recognizing that the future
is most likely to be AI-enabled, we have to prepare our youths and make them
ready to compete and participate in the global economy.
"I can assure you that
Nigeria is open for business. We want to lead the African continent in digital
technology. Data is valuable to our development. We are ready to cooperate on
technological advancements. It is the only way to go. We need a collaboration
that will be a win-win for all," Tinubu said.
Emphasizing the importance of
technology in driving small businesses, the president said he is committed to
ensuring that technology is deployed, adapted, enhanced, and used to catalyze
growth across a vast majority of micro businesses, spurring mass prosperity
down the line.
President Tinubu said: "What
interests me is the use of technology in the development of small businesses.
We need to make the business environment more conducive for you and more
profitable for us as well. I hope we can collaborate and continue to promote
our mutual interests."
Earlier in his remarks, Sir Clegg
thanked the President for an executive order he issued, which enabled the
landing of the Meta-backed deep-sea cable in Nigeria.
"It is an extraordinary
infrastructure project. When it comes on stream in the first quarter of 2025,
it will be twice as much as the capacity of all subsea cables that exist. We
buried the cable 50 per cent deeper than any other subsea cables under the
seabed.
"It is more powerful and
more extensive in terms of its geographical connectivity. It could yield up to
$37 billion worth of increase in economic activity in the next two or three years
across the African continent," he said.
Sir Clegg also said Meta will
introduce in June 2024 a feature on its Instagram app that will allow Nigerian
creators to monetize their content to enable them to earn a living using the
app.
"We have a lot to do with
Nigeria to deepen partnerships," he added.
Minister of Communications,
Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. 'Bosun Tijani, said Meta platforms are
critical platforms in Nigeria, and as such opportunities for partnerships and
engagement are essential to promoting development in the digital economy
sector.
"We must continue to engage
to create opportunities for our people so they can also share in global
prosperity. Digital technology is an opportunity to connect Africa to
contribute to the development of the world," Tijani said.
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