In a ground-breaking move that could change the face of technology in Nigeria, the Federal Government has announced a strategic partnership with global tech giant Google to transform the country into a major digital hub on the world stage.
This partnership, which was revealed on Thursday, is expected to focus on five crucial areas that could redefine Nigeria’s digital landscape: infrastructure development, scaling up citizens, artificial intelligence (AI) innovation, cloud adoption, and investment frameworks. The aim is to lay the groundwork for a future where Nigeria leads in digital transformation, positioning itself as a key player in the global tech industry.
The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Inuwa Kashifu, shared details of this exciting partnership in a television interview monitored in Lagos. Kashifu, who has been at the forefront of Nigeria’s digital initiatives, highlighted the transformative potential of the partnership and the benefits it will bring to the country.
“This partnership with Google is a game-changer for Nigeria. It is focused on building the infrastructure that will enable us to scale our citizens, foster AI innovation, adopt cloud technology, and create a solid investment framework for digital businesses,” Kashifu said.
The partnership between Nigeria and Google was formalized during a high-level meeting in Paris between President Bola Tinubu and Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google. The meeting set the stage for the development of a comprehensive roadmap to guide Nigeria’s digital transformation journey, with the collaboration expected to unlock numerous opportunities in the technology sector.
According to Kashifu, the key areas of focus under the partnership include building critical digital infrastructure, scaling up the nation’s workforce, and leveraging emerging technologies such as AI. Additionally, the partnership aims to create an environment that encourages investment in the digital economy.
“This partnership is about creating an ecosystem that powers Nigeria’s digital transformation,” Kashifu stated. “By focusing on infrastructure, scaling citizens, and innovation, we are positioning Nigeria to become a global tech hub.”
One of the central components of this digital transformation plan is the development of data centres across Nigeria. Kashifu highlighted that data centres are essential in driving the digital economy, providing the necessary infrastructure for cloud storage, AI applications, and digital services. He also pointed out that the need to domicile sensitive data – both from government and private sectors – has become more pressing, as businesses and organisations depend on secure, localised data storage solutions.
“Data centres are at the heart of the digital economy. However, it’s important to note that no data centre, globally, relies on grid electricity. They go off-grid, and they go green, because they need to meet environmental and carbon credit standards,” Kashifu said.
The government is keen on ensuring that these data centres not only meet the country’s growing digital needs but also align with global environmental standards. Kashifu noted that as part of the investment framework, the aim is to create a sustainable and secure digital infrastructure that will support both public and private sector needs.
For Nigeria’s digital transformation to succeed, there is a pressing need to upskill the country’s workforce. Kashifu made it clear that this partnership is not just about building infrastructure but also about ensuring that Nigerians are equipped with the necessary digital skills to thrive in the new economy.
He stressed that digital skills must be embedded in the education system at all levels, from primary schools to tertiary institutions.
“We need to ensure that digital skills are embedded in our education system from an early age. This will help create a new generation of tech-savvy Nigerians who can contribute meaningfully to the growth of the digital economy,” Kashifu said.
The NITDA is already working with educational institutions and tech companies to design programmes that will equip young Nigerians with the skills they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world. Kashifu believes that this effort will be key in building a tech ecosystem that can drive long-term growth and create job opportunities for millions of Nigerians.
As part of the strategic partnership with Google, AI innovation is another area that holds immense promise for Nigeria’s future. Kashifu highlighted how artificial intelligence can revolutionise various sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, education, and government services. By adopting AI, Nigeria can enhance productivity, improve service delivery, and drive innovation across different industries.
“AI is an enabler. It can help us make better decisions, improve efficiency, and create new opportunities for our people,” he said. “We are looking at AI to help solve some of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges.”
In addition to AI, cloud adoption is another critical area of focus. Cloud technology enables businesses and governments to access data and services over the internet without having to invest heavily in physical infrastructure. For Nigeria, adopting cloud technology will be essential in ensuring that businesses remain competitive and that government services are more efficient and accessible to the public.
“The shift to the cloud is inevitable. It offers the scalability and flexibility that businesses need to grow, and it provides the government with the tools to improve service delivery,” Kashifu explained.
In a separate development, Kashifu also addressed the partnership with Awari Technologies, a collaboration focused on developing a large language model that would help promote Nigeria’s language and culture. This project is part of a broader strategy to incorporate local languages into Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, which will allow citizens to access technology in their native languages.
“This project with Awari Technologies is not part of the Google partnership, but it complements the broader goals of digital transformation. It focuses on developing a language model that celebrates and preserves Nigerian culture and languages,” Kashifu stated.
As President Bola Tinubu and Sundar Pichai move forward with their plan, Nigeria is poised to witness a digital revolution that could reshape the country’s future for generations to come.
