Google is partnering with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to establish Nigeria as a leading Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital hub in West and Central Africa

[dropcap]G[/dropcap]oogle is partnering with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to drive a digital revolution in Nigeria, with the aim of establishing the nation as a leading Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital hub in West and Central Africa.

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According to NITDA, this initiative follows a recent meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Google’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sundar Pichai, in Paris, France.

NITDA stated that the partnership was further solidified during a two-day workshop, designed to position Nigeria as a key AI and digital centre in the West and Central African regions.

“This collaboration is built on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision to drive economic prosperity through diversification and inclusivity, leveraging technology to fuel Nigeria’s long-term economic growth,” NITDA explained.

The partnership is structured around five key pillars:

Building scalable digital infrastructure

Empowering the workforce with digital skills

Driving AI innovation and research

Promoting cloud adoption for digital government

Strengthening investment frameworks for digital growth.

NITDA stated on its social media platform that, under the President’s directive, it is leading the execution of this partnership, working closely with Google to gather information and develop practical business use cases across these pillars.

The agency added that the two-day workshop served to validate this information and engage key stakeholders in the Nigerian tech ecosystem with the draft partnership framework.

NITDA also disclosed that its Director-General, Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has held high-level engagements with key Federal Government officials, including the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu; the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Zacch Adedeji; and the Honourable Minister for Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, to promote the President’s vision for a Digital Nigeria.

NITDA explained that these strategic engagements aim to align stakeholders across government sectors, fostering a unified approach to adopting digital technologies that will enhance service delivery, improve governance, and stimulate economic growth.

The agency stated that Google showcased successful digital interventions from around the world, demonstrating their potential “to boost economic stability, improve institutional efficiency, and empower citizens across Nigeria.”

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“With this strategic partnership, NITDA is positioning Nigeria to harness the transformative power of technology across sectors, such as education, healthcare, agriculture, and security,” the agency asserted.

“This collaborative effort is laying the foundation for a more inclusive, innovative, and prosperous future for Nigeria.”