By 
By Osasómé C.O
Huawei Technologies’ Beijing Research Centre has announced the launch of DigiTruck, a mobile ICT classroom aimed at enhancing digital literacy in underserved Nigerian communities. Huawei made the announcement when President Tinubu visited the company Tuesday as part of a separate engagement during President Tinubu’s official visit to China this week.
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”This is an important visit for Nigeria and the rest of Africa, as I arrive in my capacity as the Chairman of ECOWAS. I thank you for the high-level of honour accorded to us,” said President Tinubu.
Nigeria-China ties elevated to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
President Tinubu’s official visit precedes his participation in the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, scheduled to hold from September 4-6, 2024. According to a statement by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President, (Media & Publicity), the leaders also agreed to build a high-level Nigeria-China community with a shared future.
At the meeting President Tinubu and Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the elevation of Nigeria-China ties to that of a comprehensive strategic partnership.
During the President’s meeting with Huawei’s leadership, led by Mr. Liang Hua, Chairman of the Board of Directors, the company said the initiative would operate in 10 states annually, training at least 3,000 students each year.
3MTT connects into Huawei’s DigiTruck
Acknowledging the ongoing efforts by Nigeria’s Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to train 3 million technical talents (3MTT) and equip the country’s young population with the skills necessary for present and future economic opportunities, Huawei’s leadership said the DigiTruck initiative will complement the programme.
Mr. Hua praised the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda for identifying digital technology as a critical driver of economic growth.
“This is very encouraging for us. Huawei is fully prepared to offer its ICT expertise and become a reliable partner of the Nigerian government to support the country in achieving its policy objectives and furthering its digital, intelligent, and low-carbon development.”
Also speaking, Mr. Chris Lu, Chief Executive Officer of Huawei Nigeria, expressed support for Nigeria’s National Talent Export Programme (NATEP), an initiative that seeks to position Nigeria as a hub for talent outsourcing in Africa.
Nigerian technology talents to serve more overseas’ markets
“In the future, we hope to continuously develop the NOC and expand its capacity so that it can meet the requirements of more African markets, thus facilitating more Nigerian technology talents in serving more overseas’ markets and helping to achieve the goal of NATEP,” Mr. Lu said
During the tour of the Huawei Research Centre’s exhibition hall, President Tinubu and his delegation were introduced to Huawei’s latest innovations in e-government, smart education, smart grid, and solar power, demonstrating their potential to enhance public services, digital governance, and Nigeria’s inclusive development agenda.
Huawei to establish joint PV test lab with REA
Huawei also plans to establish a joint PV test lab with Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA) as part of the efforts to achieve the shared goals of both nations, Ngelale added.
