Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s minister of communications, innovation, and digital economy, has revealed that the federal government has launched a fund of $609 million for tech entrepreneurs in Nigeria over the next four years.

Speaking at the ongoing 2023 Nordic Nigeria Connect in Lagos, Tijani said the biggest contributor of services is telecommunication hence the country should build partnerships that would help it’s citizens get there.

“In a connected world, our role is to build relationships with countries, organisation with innovation and a body of knowledge.

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Nigeria doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel in what is already known in other countries but we can leverage the opportunity,” he added.

According to the minister, the government should build a country that we need to see, which is not just the role of government but also the private sector.

“The role of criticism of government should be to make government learn hence we should criticise with fact and evidence to let government be better.”

Yemi Osinbajo, former vice president of Nigeria in March, launched a $600 million programme for young Nigerians in the technology and creative sectors with a call on African governments and the private sector to do more to support the growth of innovation in the continent.

Folake Balogun is a tech journalist covering Africa’s fast-growing digital economy with a strong focus on incisive analysis of startup trends, venture capital, and fintech innovation, while also exploring emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and the future of connectivity by highlighting their economic and social impact.

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