Onwubuke Melvin
Former UK Deputy Prime Minister and Meta’s President of Global Affairs, Nick Clegg revealed that the Meta-backed deep-sea cable has the potential to generate approximately $37 billion in economic activity across Africa.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President, Ajuri Ngelale, on Thursday.
According to the statement, on Thursday, President Tinubu received a delegation from Meta Platforms Incorporated, led by Sir Nick Clegg, at the State House, Abuja.
President Tinubu underlined Nigeria’s commitment to remain at the forefront of technological progress in this meeting.
He stressed the importance of taking advantage of Information and Communication Technology opportunities, growing capacity as well as promoting collaborations in ensuring Nigeria’s competitiveness in the digital age.
Sir Clegg thanked the President for issuing an Executive Order that facilitated the landing in Nigeria of the MetaBacked Deep Sea Cable.
He said “He described the project as “an extraordinary infrastructure project” and outlined its significant features, stating, “When it comes on stream in the first quarter of 2025, it will be twice as much as the capacity of all subsea cables that exist. We buried the cable 50 percent deeper than any other subsea cables under the seabed. It is more powerful and more extensive in terms of its geographical connectivity. It could yield up to $37 billion worth of increase in economic activity in the next two or three years across the African continent.”
The importance of Nigerian youth in the achievement of digital economic expansion has been emphasised by President Tinubu, given his administration’s 3MTT programme aimed at training three million young Nigerians on Digital Technologies and Basic Skills.
He noted “For us in Nigeria, we have a vibrant, gifted and resourceful yoMeta deep sea cable can boost African economic activity by $37B – Ex UK Deputy Prime Ministeruth population. Recognizing that the future is most likely to be AI-enabled, we must prepare our youths to compete and participate in the global economy.”
President Tinubu has also underlined the importance of data in Nigeria’s development, and said that Nigeria is ready to become Africa’s leader in Digital Technologies.
He expressed willingness to cooperate on technological advancements, stating, “We are ready to cooperate on technological advancements. It is the only way to go. We need a collaboration that will be a win-win for all.”
The President underlined the importance of technology in driving entrepreneurship and said he would ensure that it was deployed, adjusted, improved and applied to stimulate growth for a large number of micro enterprises which will lead to mass prosperity down the line
‘What interests me is the use of technology in the development of small businesses. We need to make the business environment more conducive for you and more profitable for us as well. I hope we can collaborate and continue to promote our mutual interests,” President Tinubu told the delegation.
