The Federal Government of Nigeria hosted some executives of Google at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Vice president Kashim Shettima who received the executives, expressed joy at the 1.2 billion naira the company gives the country to assist “Tinubu administration’s one million jobs initiative.”
The V.P. believes the act is very praiseworthy and that other companies should follow suit.
He said “Let’s think outside the box and create more job opportunities. We need to walk the talk. It is easy to pontificate but very difficult to bring all the ideas to fruition. I want to assure you, this administration is ready to partner with you.
“Nigeria is ready for business. The President that we have now wants to leave a legacy that Nigerians will be proud of many years after.”
He further went on to mention, “We have a unique opportunity to harness the potential of our huge youth population to create millions of jobs in the digital sector.”
“We have more English-speaking people than many countries in Africa and beyond. We missed the agricultural age; we missed the industrial age, and we are now in the knowledge-driven post-industrial age. We have the potential and a unique opportunity to fill the anticipated global talent deficit.
The V.P. concluded by saying “Access Bank is doing a lot in terms of digital skills, training 1,000 youths in digital skills to create employment opportunities. We are working with Wema Bank, the Bank of Industry, and other partners on this project. We are willing to partner with Google; we will work closely with you for the good of our nation.”
Mr. Olumide Balogun, the Director, of Google West Africa, revealed that as part of their dedication in supporting the Tinubu-led administration’s vision of establishing one million computer-based opportunities, hence the 1.2-billion-naira pledge.
The Director added that about 20,000 youths and ladies under this initiative, will be furnished with computer-based skills to advance their lives and provide many startups the ability to foster and establish plenty of jobs in the digital industry.
Speaking on the grant from Google, Charles Murito, the company’s Director of Government Relations and Public Policy for the continent, said Google continues in its dedication to funding computer-based frameworks in Africa as digital evolution could boost the earmarked tech jobs.
