The plan by a Chinese firm- Huawei to invest N80 million into the information and communications technology sector is expected to expand the investment profile of Nigeria.
The investment, which was announced at 2014 Nelson Mandela International Day in Abuja, at the weekend, will go into equipment, training and youth empowerment, especially in the technology sector.
Huawei explained that the amount of N4 million will be provided to the Nelson Mandela Institution (NMI), which will invest it in its affiliate, the African University of Science and Technology (AUST) in Abuja as the scholarship for students who have been admitted, adding that the amounts of these scholarship funds and the manner in which they are administered will be mutually agreed upon for each academic year or programme.
Furthermore, the Chinese technology firm disclosed that ICT equipment worth N76 million will be provided by it to NMI, which will put it at the disposal of AUST on the basis of identified needs of this institution and consistent with Huawei’s own policies and procedures and those of NMI and AUST.
Huawei is also expected to provide access to its Abuja training center to AUST for the computer science students on the basis of proposals to be developed jointly by AUST computer science faculty and Huawei engineers. AUST will invite Huawei engineers and researchers to organize workshops or specific classes to the students.
According to Osita Iweze, deputy managing director of Huawei Abuja office, “bridging digital divide is Huawei’s global strategy. Huawei has set up an ICT scholarship in University of Lagos since 2012. A 1,000 girls training program with Federal Ministry of Communication Technology was launched in 2013 and until now about 500 girls have finished their training courses.
“In 2014 Huawei keep expanding the investment on young ICT talents education and we are glad to work with AUST to ensure the graduates could be ICT industry leader in Nigeria and other Sub-Sahara African countries.”
Appreciating the gesture, Bonaventure Mbida-Essama, NMI chief executive officer, said the African University of Science and Technology (AUST) is the first of the NMIs, which was etablished as a centre of excellence in science and technology with a focus on African development.
“Since its inception, the AUST has more than 300 of PhD and MSc students from 19 African countries in five disciplines (computer science and engineering, pure and applied mathematics, theoretical physics, petroleum engineering, and materials science and engineering).
“NMI is willing to collaborate with Huawei, which is the world leading ICT solutions provider, not just with its affiliate in Nigeria, AUST, but also with the other institutions affiliated to NMI in Africa in places such as Tanzania, and Burkina Faso.
“This would also include institutions being considered in Zimbabwe and Mali. The main purpose for Huawei is to introduce the latest technology into the class and to give certain financial support to these institutions for the benefits of their students,” he said.
Among dignitaries at the event are Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance of Nigeria and LLA MnGumi the South African High Commissioner for Nigeria.
Huawei has been in Nigeria for 15 years and become a preferred ICT solutions provider for all telecom operators. Huawei’s enterprise business for industries such as banking, oil and gas, power and education is growing rapidly in terms of its integrated and customized solutions with Nigerian partners.