President Bola Tinubu met with a delegation from Meta, the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, at Aso Rock, Abuja, on Thursday, urging them to seize the opportunity presented by various channels opened by the federal government to partner with Nigeria and aid in its ambition to become Africa’s technology hub.
During the meeting, Tinubu emphasised his administration’s commitment to sustaining investments in digital technology aimed at bolstering the sustainability of small businesses, expanding opportunities across sectors, and positioning Nigeria as a leading hub for information and communications technology on the continent.
The delegation, led by former UK Deputy Prime Minister and Meta’s President of Global Affairs, Nick Clegg echoed President Tinubu’s sentiments, emphasising Nigeria’s necessity to keep pace with the rapid technological advancements of the modern era.
Commending President Tinubu for an executive order facilitating the landing of the Meta-backed deep-sea cable in Nigeria, Clegg underscored the significance of the initiative in enhancing Nigeria’s technological infrastructure.
President Tinubu highlighted the importance of Nigeria’s vibrant youth population in driving the nation’s digital economic expansion, citing the 3MTT program aimed at training three million Nigerian youths in digital technology and essential skills.
Tinubu affirmed Nigeria’s commitment to fostering collaboration on technological advancements, emphasising the need for a mutually beneficial partnership.
In response, Clegg outlined Meta’s plans to introduce a feature on its Instagram app in June 2024, allowing Nigerian creators to monetize their content, thus facilitating economic opportunities.
Clegg further emphasised Meta’s readiness to deepen partnerships with Nigeria, underscoring the transformative potential of technological collaboration in driving economic growth across the African continent.
