*Microsoft President: We believe in the future of Nigeria
*Plan with global tech firm will equip 5 Million Nigerians with digital skills in 3 years
*Internet Connection also for under-served communities in 6 geopolitical zones
*Project, on its own, to create 27,000 jobs
Leveraging Microsoft’s experience in the utilization of technology as an enabler for the delivery of public and social good, the Buhari administration is partnering with the tech giant to accelerate Nigeria’s certain advance towards a more digital economy in line with the Economic Sustainability Plan.
In a dual announcement today by both the Federal Government and Microsoft Corporation, no less than 5 million Nigerians would benefit from a digital upskilling programme, and locations in each of the 6 geopolitical zones in Nigeria will also enjoy active internet connection and cloud services courtesy of this digital transformation plan.
The partnership with Microsoft Corporation anchored on connectivity, skilling and digital transformation followed discussions between both parties led by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, and Microsoft President Brad Smith earlier in the year.
For instance in January this year, the Vice President had a virtual meeting with the Microsoft Corporation President, Mr. Brad Smith, where discussions covered areas of intersection between technology and governance to enhance Nigeria’s digital transformation.
Speaking in a formal video announcement of the partnership with the tech giant, Prof. Osinbajo said “our government is committed to leveraging innovation and technology to bring better outcomes across a wide area of governance concerns. Indeed, it is with this in mind that we have sought constructive partnerships that bridge the knowledge, skills and technology gap that exist in most of our communities.”
According to the VP, “this launch is indicative of our commitment to this and will involve collaboration with various Government agencies as implementing partners, including the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Nigerian Institute of Cultural Orientation, and various other local partners. We intend that these initiatives become institutions in their own rights and make a real impact in the lives of our citizens going forward.”
On the core areas of the partnership, Prof. Osinbajo said “this partnership will focus on two pillars: Connectivity & Skilling, and Digital Transformation.”
His words: “we plan to connect under-served communities in each of the six geo-political zones with access to internet and cloud services. This project is a critical component of our objective of expanding broadband connectivity, which is by itself, a major pillar of our Economic Sustainability Plan in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Working with Microsoft, we intend to upskill 5 million Nigerians through this increased internet access over the next three years in various digital skills which will increase both employability and entrepreneurship.
“The multiplier effect will bring opportunities in rural and urban areas to many young people and will help us deal with unemployment problems made worse by the pandemic.”
Using digital tools under the project, the Vice President said “we will pioneer innovative approaches in the fight against corruption, a major priority of this administration.”
Continuing, the VP said, “Leveraging Microsoft’s Technology tools which can be deployed to minimise governance risks and block loopholes, working with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), we will seek to use cutting edge analytical and case management tools to plug holes in our public sector system as well as confront white-collar criminality efficiently.”
“This pillar will also serve a vital social function. by using Microsoft’s Artificial Intelligence technology and resources to preserve and promote our major languages so we can revitalize these important aspects of our culture.
“Our focus is of course the Nigerian people. With over 80 million regular internet users, there is no question that Nigerians have fully embraced technology, the internet and their various uses,” the Vice President added.
On his part, the President of Microsoft Corporation, Mr Brad Smith said the “we believe in the future of Nigeria and we are excited as a company to add to our investments. It is a country we have had the opportunity to get to know better over the last few years.”
According to Smith “in 2018 we partnered with Tek experts to create a Customer Support Centre, a center in Lagos that employs over 1,600 people. And then we had another opportunity to broaden our investment even more by creating our African Development Centre. A centre that, by the end of this year, will employ over 200 software developers and engineers, people who are creating technology and Microsoft products to serve not only the people of Nigeria but the people of the world.
“All of these is giving us the kind of confidence to want to invest even more. And one of the things that we have recognized as a company is the need to grow with communities and countries and not just buying for ourselves.”
On the new partnership with the Federal Government, Mr Smith said “we are embarking on a series of broad-based, really multifaceted investments to better serve Nigeria in three areas of internet connectivity, digital skilling and digital transformation. We will be providing digital skills to 5 million Nigerians over the next three years, and along the way, creating 27,000 new jobs during the same period.”


https://www.yemiosinbajo.ng/osinbajo-fg-microsoft-new-partnership-to-benefit-millions-of-nigerians/

The level of technology is also an important determinant of economic growth, let's hope for the best soon. May God continue to elevate Mr VP

When i used windows phones

it was like eating shit after tasting honey

before i could check my email
na wahala

We are not seeing anything na so so news we dey read everything or are people doing this things for Ghanaians?
Secondly is microsoft going to be running on generator?

Very good one. This partnership would go a long way to solving the problems of unemployment to a large extent.

Thanks to Prof. Yemi Osinbajo

Microsoft partnering with the Government of Nigeria to accelerate the nation’s efforts in becoming a more digital economy!
The partnership is anchored on three pillars
Increased connectivity
Upskilling and job creation
Digital transformation

This is so cute. Many Nigerians will benefit from these; at least the bright ones. Thank you VP Osinbajo for your tenacity on creative programs like this

Good to begin to see the dividends of Osinbajo's relentless efforts as this partnership with Microsoft Corporation, anchored on connectivity, skilling and digital transformation, was sequel to discussions between Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, and Microsoft President Brad Smith earlier in the year.

You celebrated to high heavens when twitter birthed its operational hub in Ghana and now deadly silent with Microsoft 's legendary incursion into Nigeria. Never seen a people who celebrate their nation's woes than the people in this clime. They lurk around anticipating negative happenstance so that they can run wild gloating that everything is bad in Nigeria. But who insults the land because he perches on the tree, have you forgotten the tree is rootedly supported by the land? Indeed sadism is not something one should be ingrained with, it has a lethal effect of wrecking one's happiness.
Sadistically musing
Abdullahi O Haruna Haruspice