Lagos targets becoming hub of Google’s initiatives in Africa

THE Lagos State government has expressed its readiness to become Google’s hub of initiatives in Africa.

The state Governor, Babatunde Fashola, who said this, while receiving the team of Google Inc, led by its Executive Chairman, Mr. Eric Schmidt, at the weekend in Lagos, stated that in spite of the huge investment his administration has made in infrastructure development to meet the needs of the increasing population, it was clear to his team that the future of the state’s economy lay in the development of Information Technology.

According to the governor, who had earlier asked some members of the state government’s team to speak on the activities of their ministries as it relates to information technology, “While we were bringing in economic relief, opening up opportunities, attracting investment, what would be the future on which the economy of our State would be built was clear to us and that is Information Technology.”

Explaining the reason for the huge investment on infrastructure development, Governor Fashola said there was a conscious decision that the population had outstripped the infrastructure “and we thought the quickest way to bring relief to the economy was first to invest on infrastructure – bridges, roads, schools train and so on –“, adding, “however, we were clear in our minds that we could not build forever.”

Noting that the establishment of Innovative Council in the state was to explore ways the State could benefit from Information Technology, Governor Fashola said his administration has been working ahead to establish infrastructure for Information Technology in the state - Guardian News