“Technology Is The Future Of Nigeria’s Economy” Says Vice President Osinbajo, During His Visit To The Startups
Nigeria’s vice president Yemi Osibanjo has affirmed government’s commitment to put in place measures that will strengthen and create more tech startups in the country. Startups visited by the vice president include Paystack, Andela, Flutterwave, Workstation, FarmCrowdy, African Fintech Foundry, and Co-Creation Hub.
Osinbajo, who was visibly impressed during his visit to seven tech startups and hubs in Lagos, said that government was anxious to partner with Nigeria’s tech sector to solve some challenges facing the country. Although, he stressed that the government’s interest in tech would not be a hindrance to more advancement.
“Government can sometimes get in the way of enterprise. What we really need to do is to partner and to work hand in hand with them so that we help in whatever way, in whatever difficulty that they have. In some case, it might be credit; in some others, it may just be in creating and ensuring the right policy,” he explained
The vice president also said that tech has disrupted every sector of the economy and that partnership with tech hubs have been instrumental in dealing with the humanitarian crisis in Nigeria’s northeast.
“So, we are collaborating already with a number of hubs and also with some that we are starting. For example, we are doing some work in partnership with Civic Hub in Abuja. We are doing some with the Humanitarian Hub in the North East, where we are focusing on the humanitarian challenges in the North East of Nigeria, and creating technology and innovation that could be helpful in solving some of their problems.”
During his visit to tech hubs, he expressed his intention of collaborating and partnering with Co-Creation Hub and several other hubs.
He further disclosed government’s plans to set up a technology council. The council is expected to bring in some of the key players and thinkers around technology working with government and government officials to develop policy and various ways we can help them to do what they are doing better.
Feature Image courtesy: Hitvibz
