President Muhammadu Buhari, at the weekend, declared that Nigeria is poised to welcome more initiatives and investments in digital technology and applauded Microsoft for unveiling a $200 million engineering hub named African Development Centre.
Receiving the President of Microsoft Corporation, Brad Smith at the State House, Abuja, who was accompanied by the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, the President said: “I have been informed that the African Development Centre in Nigeria is Microsoft’s first engineering hub in Africa.
“I have also been informed that the investment is worth $200 million. I have also been informed of Microsoft’s skills initiative aimed at training about five million citizens and provide no fewer than 27,000 jobs in the next three years.”
Speaking further, he said: “These initiatives are commendable and I urge you to expand them and continue to prioritize Nigeria as you roll out your global initiatives.”
The President also told the Microsoft team that as the largest economy and most populous country in Africa, Nigeria was positioned to play strategic roles in the global technology ecosystem and was seeking the right partnership to harness the potential. He added that one of such key partnerships was in the area of capacity building The Trumpet gathered.
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Responding, Smith said his company had gone into partnership with other companies to increase Internet and broadband penetration, while efforts have been made in innovating technology that would fight corruption and preserve cultural heritage like language. Smith pledged that Microsoft views Nigeria as an important economy in the world, adding that the company would continue to invest in Nigeria in the years ahead.
