The Federal Government is to build technology hubs across Nigeria to power economic growth, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President of Nigeria, has said.
The Vice President dropped the hint while delivering the second Foundation Lecture of the Elizade University in Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State.
According to him, it is in recognition of the central role that innovation and technology plays in national economic growth plan that the Federal Government, in the 2016 budget, provided extensively for technology and innovation.
“This year, we are establishing technology hubs across the country. Two super hubs in Abuja and Lagos and 6 regional hubs in the six geopolitical zones. In partnership with several technology companies the hubs will be fully resourced with infrastructure and capacity building”, he said.
The Federal Government will also be training a pool of 100,000 software developers, hardware service professionals, animators, graphic artists, building services professionals, artisans and others, starting from the weeks ahead, the VP said.
Osinbajo further said that the Federal Government in its quest to make the country the technology hub in Africa, had launched a special presidential initiative on technology and start-ups.
According to him, “50 of the most innovative technology start-ups would soon be invited to the Presidential Villa to meet with major technology and innovation companies as well as collaborating with the Federal Government.”
The VP cited examples of the marvels of technology and innovative ideas saying that the closest position to that of the confidential secretary now is an executive assistant who is expected to have strong technology skills.
While speaking to a large audience made up with students, academics, a number of leading traditional rulers from Ondo and Oyo States, business and political elites, the Vice President said: “Whatever you choose to do, be technology-savvy and understand its best uses in your chosen discipline.”
He gave a long list of major and global advancements attained through technology and innovative ideas including how some Nigerians have also taken due advantage and called on Nigerians to be even more creative and inventive.
“Create a network of peers where participants interact and share in the value creation”, he said adding that people can no longer just be, for instance, an economist, an accountant, a graduate of international relations, Mass Communication or Performing Arts, rather he said that “multi-skilling is crucial today.”
According to Nigeria’s VP, “you must learn to be a versatile operator not a mono-skilled graduate, everyone has a right to be rich, age is not a barrier.” He also noted that the old way of doing things are gone with the advances of technology.
About the author
Technology Writer at Technology Times Media
e-mail: donatus.anichukwueze@technologytimes.ng
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