By Emmanuel Nduka
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, held a pivotal meeting with Google CEO Sundar Pichai in Paris, aiming to propel Nigeria’s advancement in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital innovation.
The high-level discussion, attended by Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani, centered around forming a robust partnership to elevate Nigeria’s technological landscape.
Tinubu lauded Google’s growing interest in supporting the country’s digital transformation, emphasizing that this partnership aligns with his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes economic diversification through technology and innovation.
According to a statement from presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy will oversee strategic initiatives, while the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the private sector will work together to ensure impactful, nationwide progress.
Sundar Pichai echoed Google’s commitment to Nigeria, remarking, “Nigeria has a unique opportunity to lead in AI and digital innovation in Africa,” and reaffirmed the company’s eagerness to collaborate further with the Nigerian government to foster an ecosystem that promotes innovation and economic growth.
On his part, Minister Tijani described the partnership between Nigeria and Google as an important opportunity to accelerate Nigeria’s technological advancement and strengthen its digital economy.
He added that Nigeria’s commitment to ensuring that AI and digital transformation create tangible benefits for businesses and citizens across the country is sacrosanct.
This is as President Tinubu acknowledged Nigeria’s potential as a burgeoning global technology destination and expressed his commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment that attracts strategic investments from leading tech companies.
“The discussions will continue as both parties look to deepen their collaboration and expedite Nigeria’s digital transformation, paving the way for sustainable economic growth,” the statement added.
