President Bola Tinubu has stated the willingness of the Federal Government of Nigeria to facilitate the establishment of one million digital jobs in Nigeria by the global tech giant Google Incorporated.
Richard Gingras, Google Global Vice President, paid Dele Alake, Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications, and Strategy, a courtesy call on Friday.
President Tinubu emphasized that the tech giant has the resources and tools that the young people need to flourish when he informed the visiting Google executive that Nigeria has young people who are creative and bright and who are eager and motivated to learn, especially in this age of artificial intelligence.
“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.
“We will give you all the support you need to have a beneficial corporate responsibility. We have started our economic reforms, even though tortuous,” the President said.
President Tinubu said on Google’s platforms’ support of free speech, freedom of the press, and democracy: “It is in the public interest to continue defending the free press and free speech. A free society is something we really believe in.
The Google Vice President informed President Tinubu earlier in his speech that he was in Nigeria for the West Africa Journalism Innovation Conference.
He claimed that the ability and ingenuity of young people in Nigeria who are utilizing technology and digital technologies to increase access to information and advance democracy had inspired him.
President Tinubu was informed by Mr. Gingras that his organization has a keen interest in Nigeria and is prepared to assist the Federal Government.
In an era of misinformation and fake news, he claimed, Google will assist safeguard Nigeria. He also stated that his company wanted to keep working with the Nigerian government.