Meta’s President of Global Affairs, Sir Nick Clegg, shared an intriguing update during a recent meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
President Tinubu expressed his commitment to bolstering investments in digital technology, emphasizing their crucial role in fostering the growth of small businesses. He highlighted that such investments not only broaden opportunities across various sectors but also position Nigeria as a leader in information and communications technology within Africa.
Speaking in Abuja, President Tinubu welcomed a delegation from Meta Platforms Incorporated, led by Sir Nick Clegg, who serves as both the former UK Deputy Prime Minister and Meta’s President of Global Affairs. He emphasized Nigeria’s efforts in opening up avenues for growth in information and communications technology, aiming to enhance capacity and cultivate partnerships to keep pace with global technological advancements.
President Tinubu elaborated on the 3MTT program, which aims to train three million Nigerian youths in digital technology and essential skills before integrating them into innovation hubs nationwide. He emphasized the pivotal role of Nigerian youth in the country’s digital economic expansion, recognizing the need to equip them with the necessary skills to compete globally.
Expressing Nigeria’s readiness to lead the African continent in digital technology, President Tinubu stressed the importance of collaboration in technological advancements for mutual benefit. He underscored the value of data in Nigeria’s development and expressed a commitment to fostering cooperation in technological innovation.
President Tinubu reiterated his dedication to leveraging technology to catalyze growth across micro-businesses, ultimately fostering mass prosperity. He emphasized the significance of utilizing technology to create a conducive business environment and promote mutual interests.
In his remarks, Clegg expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for an executive order facilitating the landing of Meta-backed deep-sea cable in Nigeria. He highlighted the transformative potential of this infrastructure project, projecting a substantial increase in economic activity across the African continent upon its completion.
Clegg announced Meta’s plan to introduce a feature on Instagram, allowing Nigerian creators to monetize their content, thereby enabling them to earn a livelihood through the platform. He emphasized Meta’s commitment to deepening partnerships in Nigeria to drive further innovation and collaboration.
Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, underscored the critical role of Meta platforms in Nigeria and emphasized the importance of partnership opportunities in promoting development in the digital economy sector. He emphasized the need for continued engagement to create opportunities for Nigerians to partake in global prosperity, highlighting digital technology as a conduit for connecting Africa and contributing to global development.
