Nigerian Government has requested for the extension of Google Station’s free WiFi services in markets. Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Nigerian Vice President said, “We are currently facilitating an innovative product being rolled out by Google, the Google Station where free WiFi is provided in public places.
“But for us, the more interesting part of it is that we are asking them to roll out in markets across Nigeria. So, in the next few months, they will be in Onitsha Main Market; in Gbagi, Ibadan; in Kuto Market in Abeokuta; in the Kaduna Central Market, Sura Market and Lagos/Abuja international airport by the end of the year.”
According to Osinbajo, the government believes that by democratising access to the Internet in public places and in markets, more people can do their business and receive information, and the information can be cheaply delivered to them.
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In July, Google in partnership with Nigerian fiber cable network provider, 21st Century launched its public Wifi service to provide its public Wi-Fi service, Google Station, in six places in the commercial capital Lagos, including the city’s airport.
Nigeria is the fifth country to launch Google Station. The services have been launched in India, Indonesia, Mexico, and Thailand. The service is aimed at countries with rapidly expanding populations. The United Nations estimates Nigeria will be the world’s third most populous nation, after China and India, by 2050. “A lot of people who found data to be too expensive for them to use, are using it,” said Joshi. “In India, we have tens of millions of users, and close to a million in Mexico.”
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