The Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, SAN, has officially commissioned the first ASUS Flagship Store in Nigeria and West Africa, describing the landmark investment as a strong vote of confidence in Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem and the Federal Government’s commitment to positioning the country as Africa’s leading technology and innovation hub.
The Minister performed the commissioning at the grand opening of the ASUS Flagship Store located in Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos, where he stated that ASUS’ decision to establish its first regional flagship outlet in Nigeria reflects growing international confidence in the country’s economy and the transformative reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Dr. Udeh noted that the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology is driving strategic reforms to transform research into wealth, innovation into enterprise and ideas into sustainable economic opportunities through flagship initiatives such as the Youth and Students in Innovation (YSI) Initiative, Energise Commercialisation Now (ECoN) Programme and the National Research and Innovation Development Fund (NRIDF). He said these initiatives are laying the foundation for a globally competitive, knowledge-driven economy while strengthening collaboration with industry, academia and development partners.
The Minister described the ASUS-Konga partnership as a practical demonstration of the type of Public-Private Partnership needed to accelerate technology transfer, industrialisation and inclusive economic growth. He said the investment will expand access to Artificial Intelligence-enabled devices, advanced computing technologies and digital solutions that will empower students, researchers, entrepreneurs, software developers and businesses across Nigeria.
Commending ASUS and Konga Group for the landmark investment, Dr. Udeh urged both organisations to deepen their collaboration with Nigeria through Artificial Intelligence laboratories, digital skills academies, innovation hubs, technology transfer, research partnerships, and ultimately local assembly and manufacturing. He also encouraged other global technology companies to take advantage of Nigeria’s expanding innovation ecosystem by investing in Artificial Intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity, biotechnology, semiconductors, cloud computing and other emerging technologies.
Reaffirming that Nigeria is open for innovation, investment and strategic partnerships, the Minister said stronger collaboration among government, industry and academia would create an ecosystem where ideas become enterprises, enterprises create jobs and innovation drives industrialisation and national prosperity. He thereafter declared the ASUS Flagship Store officially open for business, congratulating ASUS, Konga Group, the stakeholders of Computer Village and the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the milestone achievement.
Mrs. Pauline Sule
Head, Press and Public Relations, FMIST
