Instagram’s parent company, Meta, has announced plans to introduce a new feature on its Instagram and Facebook apps in June 2024 to enable Nigerian content producers to monetize their work and make a living on the network.
Following a meeting with President Tinubu at the presidential villa, Meta Platforms Incorporated, led by Sir Nick Clegg, a former UK Deputy Prime Minister and Meta’s President of Global Affairs, made the announcement.
In his speech, Sir Clegg praised the president for issuing an executive order that made it possible for the deep-sea cable backed by Meta to land in Nigeria.
Nigeria cannot afford to fall behind in this era of rapid technological growth, the President claimed in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.
As a result, his government is developing alliances, strengthening capability, and creating new avenues for opportunity in information and communications technology.
“President Tinubu to Meta: Nigeria poised to lead Africa in digital technology; we have gifted youths and capable hands to actualize our vision,” reads the statement.
The President highlighted that the most important resource in Nigeria’s armoury is its young. Through the 3MTT plan, which trains three million Nigerian youngsters in digital technology and critical skills before placing them in innovation hubs around the country, his government is attempting to accomplish digital economic expansion.
“For us in Nigeria, we have a vibrant, gifted and resourceful youth population. Recognising that the future is most likely to be AI-enabled, we have to prepare our youths and make them ready to compete and participate in the global economy.
“I can assure you that Nigeria is open for business. We want to lead the African continent in digital technology. Data is valuable to our development.
“We are ready to cooperate on technological advancements. It is the only way to go. We need a collaboration that will be a win-win for all,” President Tinubu said.
“We have a lot to do with Nigeria to deepen partnerships,” Clegg continued, expanding on Meta’s commitment.
“We will, in June 2024, introduce a feature on our Instagram app that will allow Nigerian creators to monetize their content to enable them to earn a living using the app,” Clegg said.
Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, emphasised the need for cooperative efforts to promote growth in the digital economy sector and reiterated the significance of Meta platforms in Nigeria.
