By Juliet Umeh
The Federal Government of Nigeria has intensified efforts to establish the country as a leading technology and innovation hub, leveraging strategic partnerships with global tech giants. In a significant move, President Bola Tinubu met with Google CEO Sundar Pichai and his team in Paris on Wednesday to discuss advancing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital transformation in Nigeria.
During the meeting, President Tinubu commended Google’s commitment to Nigeria’s technological advancement and reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to fostering an enabling environment for innovation.
Accompanied by the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, the President engaged in discussions focused on leveraging AI, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure to drive economic growth and global competitiveness.
The collaboration between the Federal Government and Google aims to:
Expand Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.
Equip the workforce with essential digital skills for the future.
Promote AI-driven research and innovation.
Encourage greater cloud adoption across industries.
Position Nigeria as a key player in the global digital economy.
President Tinubu emphasized that this initiative aligns with his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes economic diversification through industrialization, technology, and innovation.
The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy will provide strategic oversight, while the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, will work with the private sector to ensure impactful implementation.
Speaking at the meeting, Google CEO Sundar Pichai expressed excitement about the partnership, stating:
“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 also emphasized the importance of the partnership, noting that Nigeria is committed to ensuring AI and digital transformation yield tangible benefits for businesses and citizens.
President Tinubu reiterated Nigeria’s position as a rising global technology destination and pledged to create a business-friendly environment that attracts investments from major tech companies. He acknowledged Google’s role in shaping Nigeria’s digital transformation and encouraged deeper collaboration to accelerate technological progress.
Further engagements between both parties are expected as Nigeria continues its drive toward becoming a premier hub for AI, innovation, and digital transformation.
