President Bola Tinubu has declared his administration’s willingness to support Google, the multinational tech giant, to create one million digital jobs in Nigeria.
Tinubu gave the assurance in Abuja on Friday, July 28, evening during the visit of Richard Gingras, vice president of news at Google, to his office.
The president informed the visiting Google executive that Nigeria had creative and talented young people ready and motivated to learn.
In a statement by his media aide, Dele Alake, Tinubu said: “I am glad that Google is ready to partner with us. You have answered our call on digital innovation and to help our youths.
“You are supporting our efforts to promote the digital economy. We are ready to work with you on your commitment to create 1 million digital jobs in Nigeria.”
The statement further stressed that Tinubu’s administration would support Google if it needed a beneficial corporate responsibility as the government has started economic reforms, even though tortuous.
On Google’s promotion of free speech, freedom of the press and democracy through its platforms, Tinubu declared that it is in the public interest that free speech and press freedom should not be impeded.
On his part, the Google vice president told Tinubu that his organisation has a deep interest in Nigeria and stands ready to support the federal government.
Gingras listed the many capabilities of Google including areas of artificial intelligence and other digital innovations that are empowering young people to become digital entrepreneurs.
He further stated that Google subsea cable, Equiano, named after the Nigerian slave abolitionist, will significantly impact future internet connectivity demands.
He also promised that Google would help to secure Nigeria in the age of disinformation and fake news, saying that his organisation seeks to continue its partnership with the Nigerian government.
