Google has partnered with United Bank for Africa (UBA) and 21st Century Technologies to provide free WiFi across 11 locations in Lagos State, Nigeria. This is an extension of the Google Station initiative launched at the #GoogleforNigeria held last year.
Google said it will roll out the initiative in 200 locations in five cities across Nigeria by the end of 2019
The 11 UBA branches where the hotspot will be located are: UBA Bank Road, 810-811 Bank Road, Daleko; UBA Matori, 21 Fatai Atere street; UBA Surulere, 152 Ogunlana Drive; UBA Allen, 13 Allen Avenue, Ikeja; UBA Tisco Plaza, Alausa; UBA Apapa, 11-13 Warehouse Road, Apapa; UBA Marina, 55 Marina, Lagos Island; UBA HQ, Broad Street, Marina; UBA Lekki Admiralty; UBA Oke Arin and UBA Aspamda Plaza, Trade Fair.
Chuks Nweke, UBA’s Executive Director/ Group Chief Executive Officer, expressed UBA’s delight over the collaboration, adding that the move will go a long way to present opportunities far beyond the imagination of both organisations.
He added that “It is an interesting platform which will ultimately benefit everyone. It is a win-win for everyone. Customers will have ease of doing businesses, especially with the growing use of smart phones, and the 52 million Nigerians who have otherwise been financially excluded will now have access to data through this collaboration and can carry out their transactions with ease.”
Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor, Google Nigeria Country Director, noted that the institutions remained focused on providing internet services to users for free.
She added, “With the help of our partners, we are offering high-quality internet access in heavily-trafficked areas like airports, markets, malls and bus stations throughout the country, especially in areas where there were no internet connections before.
Josh Woodward, director, Product Management, who spoke generally on the benefits of the high-speed Wi-Fi hotspots in public places said the collaboration will aim to solve a basic need and allow customers access to connectivity to assist them in their day-to-day businesses and activities.
