Google West Africa has introduced its new director for the continent, Mr. Olumide Balogun to the director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi, reaffirming its commitment to deepening the collaboration between both organisations.
During a visit to NITDA’s corporate headquarters in Abuja, Balogun, along with other Google executives, emphasised the significance of the familiarisation visit, stating that it aims to strengthen the partnership between Google West Africa and NITDA.
Balogun, who has been with Google for four years and recently assumed the role of West Africa director, highlighted the importance of joint efforts to realise the Nigerian president’s initiative to create 1 million digital jobs. He emphasised that Google recognises the need for collaboration to achieve this ambitious goal, stating, “Google cannot thrive in isolation”.
Revealing that Google has been actively involved in promoting internet access in Africa for over eight years, Balogun mentioned that “In 2015, during our premier developer event, we announced that Google has shifted from being a mobile-first company to an AI-first company. So, we were quite amused with all the chat GPT conversations”.
Balogun also mentioned that Google is currently working on a document that will outline the impact of Artificial Intelligence in Africa, which will be launched at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, in September. He extended an invitation to Abdullahi, to deliver a keynote address at the event.
In response, Abdullahi expressed his belief in the possibility of creating 1 million digital jobs through collaborative efforts. He emphasised NITDA’s role in positioning Nigeria for accelerated job creation in the digital economy, mentioning initiatives such as the Nigeria Startup Act and talent development.
Abdullahi stressed NITDA’s approach to regulation and policy, highlighting the agency’s goal to create a responsible and ethical digital platform ecosystem. He explained that NITDA advocates for non-rule-based regulation, allowing ecosystem players to self-regulate and establish standards. The agency’s focus is on creating a conducive environment for innovation and responsible platform behaviour.
Acknowledging NITDA’s partnership with Google Developers Group, Abdullahi noted the significant impact on training 150,000 youths in Nigeria. He shared NITDA’s ongoing initiatives, including efforts to establish technology development zones in collaboration with universities for smart manufacturing.
Furthermore, Abdullahi discussed plans to establish a seed investment fund for startups to attract investment. He highlighted the need to bridge the gap in investment inflow to Africa’s tech sector, emphasising that Nigeria’s vibrant and youthful population can contribute significantly to digital transformation.
In conclusion, Abdullahi extended an invitation to stakeholders, like Google, to collaborate on these initiatives. He highlighted the potential of Africa’s tech ecosystem, stating, “Last year, over 626 billion was invested but only 3.5 per cent came to Africa and if you look at our population, we can do more than that; these are some of the ideas we need the stakeholders like you to come to work with us on”.
The visit solidified the commitment of both Google West Africa and NITDA to work together in advancing digital innovation, job creation and technology development in Nigeria and the broader African continent.
