President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration is willing to collaborate with Microsoft Corporation, to make Nigeria the African core for innovative emerging technology.
He said this on Friday while receiving the President of Microsoft Corporation, Brad Smith, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The President was accompanied by the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami.
According to Buhari, emerging technologies are playing a vital role in the subsisting Fourth Industrial Revolution, the process to which he observed many resourceful Nigerian companies have made their contributions by developing groundbreaking solutions.
He expressed appreciation to Microsoft for citing the African Development Centre, a $200 million-worth engineering hub, in Nigeria.
President Buhari said he launched the Nigerian National Broadband Plan on the 19th of March 2020, to expand broadband access across Nigeria and Microsoft’s connectivity initiative aligns with the plan.
“Emerging technologies play a key role in digital transformation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and several indigenous companies have developed very useful solutions. We are willing to partner with Microsoft to make Nigeria the epicentre for innovative emerging technology in Africa.
“I have been informed that the African Development Centre in Nigeria is Microsoft’s first engineering hub in Africa as the current investment stands at about $200 million.
“I have also been informed of Microsoft’s skilling initiative that aims to train five million citizens and provide 27,000 jobs over the next three years. These initiatives are commendable and I urge you to expand them and continue to prioritize Nigeria as you roll out your global initiatives”, he said.
