The Federal Government has announced a strategic partnership with Google aimed at turning Nigeria into a global technology hub, focusing on key areas such as infrastructure development, artificial intelligence (AI) innovation, cloud adoption, and digital skills training.
Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Kashifu Inuwa, disclosed this during a television interview monitored in Lagos on Thursday. He stated that the partnership is designed to create an ecosystem that will accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation and position the country as a leading player in the global tech space.
“The partnership, which was launched during a meeting between President Bola Tinubu and Google CEO Sundar Pichai in Paris, will focus on five critical areas: infrastructure development, scaling of citizens’ digital skills, AI innovation, cloud adoption, and an investment framework,” Inuwa explained.
He emphasized the importance of data centres in driving Nigeria’s digital economy and the need for data sovereignty for both government and private-sector operations. Inuwa noted that globally, data centres do not rely on grid electricity but operate off-grid and adopt green energy solutions to achieve carbon neutrality.
“Data centres go off-grid; they go green because they also need carbon credit. We are looking at that as part of the framework,” Inuwa said.
The Director-General also underscored the necessity of upskilling Nigeria’s workforce to maximize the opportunities offered by the partnership. He advocated for integrating digital skills into the national education curriculum from primary school to tertiary institutions.
In addition to the partnership with Google, Inuwa mentioned the development of a large language model under a “Special Purpose Vehicle” collaboration with Awari Technologies. He clarified that this initiative is separate from the Google partnership and aims to promote Nigerian languages and culture through advanced AI technology.
The partnership marks a significant step in Nigeria’s journey toward digital transformation, with the potential to enhance the country’s technological infrastructure, create jobs, and establish Nigeria as a global leader in the digital economy.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Bola Tinubu’s meeting with Google CEO Sundar Pichai in Paris signals the government’s commitment to building strategic alliances that will boost innovation and drive the country’s economic growth through technology.
