President Bola Tinubu has expressed the willingness of the Federal Government of Nigeria to support global tech giant, Google Incorporated, to create one million digital jobs in Nigeria.
The President gave the assurance in Abuja when he received the Vice President of Google Global Incorporated, Richard Gingras to his office.
He told the visiting Google executive that Nigeria had creative and talented young people who are ready and motivated to learn especially at this age of Artificial Intelligence.
According to him, the tech giant has the capabilities and tools that the young people need to excel.
“I am glad that Google is ready to partner with us. You have answered our call on digital innovation and to help our youths. You are supporting our efforts to promote digital economy. We are ready to work with you on your commitment to create 1 million digital jobs in Nigeria,” he noted.
On Google’s promotion of free speech, freedom of the press and democracy through its platforms, President Tinubu said it was in public interest that free speech and press freedom should not be impeded.
The Vice President of Google had told President Tinubu that he was in Nigeria for West Africa Journalism Innovation Conference.
He said he had been inspired by the creativity and talent of young people in Nigeria, who are embracing technology and digital tools to expand access to information and promote democracy.
Mr Gingras told President Tinubu that his organisation had deep interest in Nigeria and would stand ready to support the Federal Government.
He listed the capabilities of Google to include areas of Artificial Intelligence and other digital innovations that would empower young people to become digital entrepreneurs, adding that Google subsea cable, Equiano, named after a Nigerian slave abolitionist, will significantly impact future internet connectivity demands landed in Nigeria in April 2022.
Mr. Gingras was accompanied on the visit by Government and Public Affairs Manager for Google in West Africa, Adewolu Adene and Premium Times Publisher, Dapo Olorunyomi.
