FG EXPLORING TECHNOLOGY OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE BROADBAND ACCESS & ADDRESS HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION CHALLENGES IN THE COUNTRY – OSINBAJO

*VP receives Microsoft delegation in Abuja

*Tech giant to open African Development Centre in Nigeria and Kenya

The Federal Government is exploring all possibilities and opportunities to ensure that broadband connection is available to Nigerians.

Besides, the Buhari administration also plans to use technology to reduce some of the deficits in the healthcare and educational systems.

These assertions were made by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, when he received a delegation from US based technology giant, Microsoft Corporation, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, earlier today.

The delegation led by Mr. Phil Spencer, the Executive Vice President of Gaming at Microsoft, also discussed the firm’s plan to set up African Development Centres in two locations on the continent; Nigeria and Kenya.

According to Prof. Osinbajo, the government would be “looking forward to the development of the centre”, as well as encouraging Microsoft to “explore practically every opportunity and possibility” in the country.

In his own remarks, Mr. Spencer said that the African Development Centre would be the 7th Global Development Centre for Microsoft across the world, adding that “Microsoft has a long-term ambition on the African continent, not only to create a market for Microsoft, but also to create a global centre for excellence and development.”

The meeting was attended by a number of Federal Government and Microsoft officials, including Ms. Yewande Sadiku, the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, NIPC.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity
Office of the Vice President
17th May 2019