Google Chairman, Eric Schmidt, Visits Nigeria, meets Fashola

After an unpopular, personal, visit to North Korea a fortnight ago, Google Chairman, and the transformational CEO of Google through last decade, Eric Schmidt, was in Nigeria over the weekend to meet with the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola. Schmidt met the Governor at his official residence, in Marina, Lagos, and the conversation, was on how Google can further collaborate with the Government, to boost and improve on its services, to drive growth in the State. Google has an office in Lagos, and has been involved in initiatives that include, Getting Nigerian Businesses Online, Seminars, products and services offers, etc. Speaking on IT development in the State, Fashola said that, “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.” He continued that, “This is the language our children find easier to communicate with themselves. So, it is no longer about us, it is about them. I do believe we will drive them through.” Schmidt expressed Google’s support for the plans of the State, and hopes to grow the Nigeria office in the near term. Members of the Lagos State Executive Council were present, Google Staff and a member of the Lagos Innovation Advisory Council.