The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that it has engaged Starlink, owned by Elon Musk, to explore the possibility of establishing job creation programs in the country. The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, revealed this during the ongoing International Telecommunication Union-World Radio Communication conference in Dubai.

During the conference, Tijani had a meeting with Ryan Goodnight, the Senior Director of Global Licensing and Activation at SpaceX, the company that owns Starlink. Goodnight mentioned that Nigeria is their largest market in Africa. They discussed various possibilities, including the establishment of a program to certify local installers and maintenance personnel in Nigeria. They also explored the idea of contracting hardware startups in Nigeria to produce Starlink’s repeater boxes locally.

Tijani emphasized the importance of connecting unserved and underserved Nigerians to the internet. He expressed his intention to create thousands of new jobs in Nigeria through initiatives like the certified installer and maintenance program for Starlink. He also highlighted the government’s commitment to encouraging tech companies to invest in Nigeria and contribute to the development of the country’s tech ecosystem.

The engagement of Starlink by the Nigerian government is a significant step towards expanding access to reliable and high-speed internet services in the country. This collaboration has the potential to create employment opportunities, promote local manufacturing, and improve connectivity for Nigerians.

By exploring partnerships with leading companies like Starlink, Nigeria aims to leverage technological advancements to drive economic growth and digital inclusion. The government’s efforts to attract and support investments in the tech sector align with its vision of building a robust digital economy.

Through these initiatives, Nigeria is working towards bridging the digital divide, empowering its citizens, and positioning itself as a major player in the global digital landscape.