President Bola Tinubu said on Thursday that his administration wants to ensure that Nigeria leads the African continent in digital technology.
Speaking at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, President Tinubu said his administration is continuing to invest in digital technology to improve the sustainability of small businesses, expand opportunities across sectors, and position Nigeria as the leader of information and communications technology in Africa.
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Jerrymusa.com reports that the delegation from Meta Platforms Incorporated was led by Sir Nick Clegg, a former UK Deputy Prime Minister and President of Global Affairs for Meta.
According to the president, Nigeria cannot afford to fall behind in this era of rapid technological development, which is why his administration is expanding access to possibilities in ICT, strengthening capability, and promoting collaborations.
Considering that his government is training three million Nigerian youngsters in digital technology and critical skills through the 3MTT initiative before deploying them to innovation hubs across the nation, he emphasised that Nigerian youths are the most critical asset in Nigeria’s arsenal as it moves to achieve digital economic expansion.
“For us in Nigeria, we have a vibrant, gifted, and resourceful youth population,” President Tinubu was quoted as saying in a statement released by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity.
Given that AI will almost certainly be used in the future, we must equip our children to compete in and take part in the global economy.
“I promise that commerce is open in Nigeria. Our goal is to become the digital technology leaders of Africa. Data is essential to our progress. We are prepared to work together to promote technology. That is your only option. We require a cooperative effort where everyone benefits.”
The President emphasised the role that technology plays in propelling small enterprises and stated that he is dedicated to making sure that technology is implemented, modified, improved, and utilised to promote growth across the great majority of microbusinesses, ultimately resulting in widespread prosperity.
“The application of technology to the growth of small enterprises is what intrigues me. We must improve the business climate so that it benefits both you and us financially.
“I hope we can work together and keep advancing our shared interests,” President Tinubu said to the group.
In his opening remarks, Sir Clegg praised the President for issuing an executive order that made it possible for the deep-sea cable backed by Meta to land in Nigeria.
“It’s a remarkable infrastructure undertaking. It will have twice the capacity of all current subsea cables when it goes online in the first quarter of 2025.
“Compared to previous subsea cables, we buried the cable 50% deeper beneath the ocean floor. Both in terms of power and geographic connectedness, it is more extensive.
“In the following two or three years, it might result in an increase in economic activity throughout the African continent valued at up to 37 billion dollars, he said.”
According to Sir Clegg, Meta is planning to launch a feature on its Instagram app in June 2024 that would enable Nigerian producers to monetarily support themselves through the platform by monetizing their material.
“To strengthen our partnerships, we have a lot to do with Nigeria,” he continued.
According to Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, meta platforms are important platforms in Nigeria; therefore, fostering collaboration and involvement is crucial to advancing the sector’s development.
“We have to keep working to give our people chances so they may benefit from the success of the world as well. The Minister stated, “Digital technology presents an opportunity to connect Africa and contribute to global development.”