Aftermath of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s trip to Silicon Valley in Califoria, United States, with some Nigerian tech entrepreneurs, Google has announced it would launch a network of free Wi-Fi hotspots in 200 locations and five cities across Nigeria by the end of 2019.

The development comes as part of Professor Osinbajo’s efforts to attract investments into Nigeria’s burgeoning tech space and .boost the country’s tech industry.

The initiative, which is in partnership with Nigerian fiber optic telecoms service provider 21st Century, will roll out Wi-Fi spots at public places such as colleges, malls, markets and bus stations.

Speaking at the Google for Nigeria event, Professor Osinbajo said, “Africa is confronted with existential challenges, and there is simply no time to waste in resolving these problems. The answer that providence has given us is technology.”

He added: “The great purveyors of technology such as our hosts today Google, and their collaborators - 21st Century Technologies Limited and Backbone Connectivity Network (BCN), are not mere corporations in search of profit and some social good, they literarily hold the future of generations of humanity in their hands.”

According to the Vice President, the partnership is particularly important to the country “because we have in the past one year, in our energizing markets project, been providing solar power to markets and economic clusters across the country.

“We have done extensive work in Ariaria market in Aba, Sabongari in Kano, Gbagi market in Ibadan, Sura here in Lagos, and we are starting out in Iponri, and Balogun markets.”

In her remarks, Country Director, Google Nigeria, Juliet Chiazor, said, “Today, at our second Google for Nigeria event, we announced more products and programs to help more people in Nigeria and across Africa benefit from the opportunities the web has to offer.

“Google Station will be rolling out in 200 locations in five cities across Nigeria by the end of 2019, bringing Wi-Fi to millions of people. Sites will include markets, transport hubs, shopping malls, universities and more.”

Earlier, Professor Osinbajo had inaugurated the Advisory Group on Technology and Creativity, a subset of theNational Industrial Policy and Competitiveness Advisory Council established by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2017. The committee members comprise private sector players with roots in technology operation. Also, the Vice President’s entourage to Silicon Valley comprises a number of tech-savvy entrepreneurs from that advisory board.

Osinbajo, at the inauguration of the advisory board, lauded the impact of technology towards driving down unemployment in the country. He noted that the board would formulate policies, programmes and projects for the Technology and Creative sectors of the country’s economy.

Similarly, Vice President Osinbajo, announced he will launch a Climate Innovation Center in partnership with the Enterprise Development Center at the Lagos Business School.

This according to him forms part of the nation’s ICT roadmap, in which the private sector is an important stakeholder.

His words: “Our goal is to create a data-driven digital economy; one that will lead the way not just in Africa, but globally as well. And I believe strongly that Nigeria is on the right path.

“We have the people, the talent, we have a government that sees the potential very clearly, and is showing the determination to unlock that potential.”

God bless the VP,you are indeed a blessing to this country,come 2019 APC leggooo

This will improve the advantage of Technology again,which will derive Entrepreneur move forward more.Africa is confronted with existential challenges, and there is simply no time to waste in resolving these problems. The answer that providence has given us is technology.”.That is the reason why we need to embrace the giants move by Professor yemi Osibanjo to decrease the high rate of unemployment in the nation which affect its progress

The success of technology advancement of a nation is hinged on the ubiquitous spread of ICT infrastructure and the volume of technology savvy people who are willing to leverage technology to develop themselves and the entire nation. It is for this reason that industry stakeholders have continued to stress the need for greater participation of government and the private sector to leverage technology to advance the Nigerian economy. God bless VP Osinbajo, God bless Nigeria

This is what we need to connect to the entire world innovation wise. Kudos to the vice president.

This is a new beginning in the development of our great nation Nigeria...Osinbajo is really affecting lives positively,,the introduction of free wi-fi will give opportunity to many to access internet with ease....God bless Nigeria

Already within few weeks, the visit of the VP to the USA is already bringing about positive outcomes. In a world where every developed nation are moving at the speed of light in terms of technology and ICT, it is a heart warming news that this development is coming up. In a matter of time Nigeria will be among technologically advanced nations in the world especially giving the array of talents and gifts the nation posses.

A good development. Data is life like Airtel do say in their advert
Congratulations to those living or working in those designated places where the google service station has been established the FG investment drive led by Osinbajo has help to remove DATA MONEY from your budget, can i get 3 gbosa from you please?

The Vice President Osinbajo is a man of vision ..You are doing great job sir

Is fast developing and will continue to grow until another form of technology overtakes it. WhatApp is doing well today and has taken over the business space of social media across globe. Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality are technologies that people are currently looking up to and one strong factor that will enhance the growth is affordable access to these new technologies. Today, the Google Map has taken over Nokia Map and technologies are evolving by the day. God bless Nigeria

Social Media Influencers, Digital Media Strategist and bloggers saluting OSINBAJO after hearing the good news, if you know you know

This is another brilliant achievement, gradually we are entering into a dream country of ours. Provision of WiFi in to some strategic part like market place, shopping mall, universities and our transport centers is as good as making lives enjoyable and comfortable for Nigerian. The trip of the vice president Yemi Osinbajo to the United State is a blessing to our Nation Nigeria.

The VP has many times shown his love and committment to this country and am proud of him

Good news...at least, this will shut the mouth of the naysayers who think that the Vp went for selfish gain...
Slowly but surely, Nigeria will be great again.

The VP has many times shown his love and committment to this country and am proud of him,this is a good move from the government.it is now clear to those who think the VP visit to USA is a waste that his tour to the US has been for the good of the nation

This is a very good news. Now Nigeria is getting to state where she can compete with other developed nations of the world...this is what we have been anticipating for a very long period of time. This is an indication that this administration is very serious about their mission of making Nigeria great again. This is indeed a great achievement, it will help our technological atmosphere and enhance the economy at the same time. God bless Nigeria

I tot some senseless Igbo / Ipob claim he went on a jamboree of no relevance ? This are the same set of people that will flock to Lagos to use the same WiFi o. Bunch of shameless clowns.

clash of clan is a go all dos countries leading in online game are in trouble

ayokellany:
I tot some senseless Igbo / Ipob claim he went on a jamboree of no relevance ? This are the same set of people that will flock to Lagos to use the same WiFi o. Bunch of shameless clowns.

u nailed it walahi

Abeg PMB and Osibanjo for 2019 joor.

Done deal

my people dey here sha!! wa gbayi partner in crime! otunbaSpartacus

OtunbaSpartacus:
Social Media Influencers, Digital Media Strategist and bloggers saluting OSINBAJO after hearing the good news, if you know you know

HOW I WISH OSINBAJO WAS OUR PRESIDENT AND BUHARI HIS VICE PRESIDENT.

OtunbaNairaland:
my people dey here sha!! wa gbayi partner in crime! otunbaSpartacus

We dey here, We die here together my fellow Oloye

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN INTEGRITY BECOME A RULE AND CORRUPTION BECOME AN EXEMPTION....I IMPLORE NIGERIANS TO STICK TO THESE SET OF VISIONARY LEADERS WHO ARE READY TO EFFECT POSITIVE CHANGE IN THE COUNTRY. THOUGH THE BEGINNING MAY BE ROUGH, BUT THE END SHALL BE SWEET LIKE HONEY.

AWUF is a "good development"

This is something we should and can do for ourselves.

Let them tell us exactly how much this costs?

Maybe they should reconsider the deployment of the Abacha loot

Technology is key to the progress of Nation economy.Appreciate Hardworking Prof Yemi Osibanjo for the move to improve the standard of technology in Nigeria,which will improve the good productivity in our economic sector.also engage Youth in diverse opportunities that will reduce unemployement in the Nation.

PYO is a man of achievement ,he is doing it all for the benefit of Nigerians,never tired a man with competency.may God continue to strengthen him to do more for the greatness of of our country.

How i wish the haters can for once appreciate the good work of this man (prof yemi osinbajo)but instead they keep wailing as if their life is full of sorrow...Nigerians will forever be grateful to this man for all his good work he has been doing.....free wifi loading

OtunbaSpartacus:
We dey here, We die here together my fellow Oloye

we dey go palace who wan join us? naija must move foward jare

this is what happens when you have competent hands as leaders,i cant but thank this goverment for there imense hardwork on this nation,GOD in his infinite mercy will guide and protect you insha allah,and come 2019 you will emerge winners insha allah

THANK YOU SIR MR VP. THE FREE WI-FI WILL GIVE NIGERIAN A LOT OF NIGERIA BETTER OPPORTUNITIES TO HAVE MORE ACCESS AND BENEFIT FROM MODERN TECHNOLOGY

aribisala0:
AWUF is a "good development"

This is something we should and can do for ourselves.

Let them tell us exactly how much this costs?

Maybe they should reconsider the deployment of the Abacha loot

THERE IS NOTHING ON EARTH ANYONE CAN DO TO PLEASE AN INGRATE LIKE YOU