'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lauded Google CEO Sundar Pichai for the company’s commitment to advancing artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation in Nigeria. The commendation came during a high-level meeting between the Nigerian government and Google executives in Paris on Wednesday.
Accompanied by the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, President Tinubu engaged in strategic discussions with the Google team, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s position as a leading technology and innovation hub in Africa. The talks focused on key initiatives, including expanding digital infrastructure, equipping the workforce with digital skills, promoting AI-driven research, increasing cloud adoption across industries, and integrating Nigeria into the global digital economy.
President Tinubu emphasized that the partnership aligns with his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes economic diversification through industrialization, technology, and innovation. He assured Google of Nigeria’s commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment that attracts strategic investments from global tech companies.
The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy will oversee the implementation of the partnership, while the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) will coordinate efforts with the private sector to maximize impact.
Speaking at the meeting, Google CEO Sundar Pichai reaffirmed the tech giant’s dedication to supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation. He said: “Nigeria has an incredible opportunity to lead in AI and digital innovation in Africa. Google is excited to continue working with the Nigerian government to create an ecosystem that fosters innovation and economic growth.”
Dr. Bosun Tijani described the partnership as a major step toward accelerating Nigeria’s technological advancement and strengthening its digital economy. He emphasized that Nigeria is committed to ensuring that AI and digital transformation translate into tangible benefits for businesses and citizens.
As Nigeria positions itself as a global technology destination, discussions between Google and the government will continue, with a shared goal of expediting the country’s digital transformation and paving the way for sustainable economic growth.
