So What Happened to Google’s Wifi for Nigeria?
In early 2006, there were several reports on the web that Google selected Abuja, Nigeria as one of about seven African cities the company will fully connect with a wireless network. [Note: There was no Google official statement to confirm this].
Although, Google may have proposed to create a citywide Wi-Fi network for San Francisco, I’m wondering when Google’s interest in Africa meant that Abuja city had been earmarked for a wireless connection.
ThisDay reported:
Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has stated that world renowned Internet search technology giant, Google, has selected Abuja as one of about seven African cities to be fully connected with wireless network.
Where did she state this?
Engadget reported:
According to reports, Google plans to bring wireless internet access to Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, along with six other African cities. The deal was announced by Nigerian Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who said that it was confirmed in a meeting she had with CEO Eric Schmidt.
Where is the official report?
Allafrica.com (requires subscription) reported:
She [Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala] disclosed that the wireless project is one of Google’s ”social responsibility projects“…
When did she disclose this?
Nextbillion reported:
Google announced this week that it has selected Abuja, Nigeria as one of about seven African cities the company will fully connect with a wireless network.
Where is the official announcement?
Nairaland discussions:
Did You Hear About Google Coming To Nigeria?
I just recently read an article that Nigeria has accepted googles proposal to make the whole pf Abuja totally wireless. Google has been thinking about this for a while, they claim it is their social responsibility to help the world improve internet wise, and they are making seven African cities totally wireless and Abuja, Nigeria happens to be one of them.
Where is Google’s proposal? Where is the acceptance?
I’m not sure were this news source came from, but I’m very sure that Google hasn’t introduced WiFi to Nigeria. I’ve lived in Abuja before and the only places you can possibly get WiFi connections are:
- Millennium Park
- FCDA Secretariat Area,
- Model Secondary School, Maitama
- Kadanya Street, Life camp
- Old Federal Secretariat, Garki, Area 3
- National Children Park and Zoo, Asokoro Area
- Abuja Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Wuse zone 4
- Parks & Recreation Office, Asokoro Area
- Force Headquarters, 3 Arms Zone (behind National Assembly)
- ASO FM Radio Station, Katampe Hill
- Ministers’ Quarters, Mabushi
- Peniel Apartments, Wuse 2
- The Aminu Kano/Ahmadu Bello Way Junction Park (Behind Diamond Bank Wuse2)
…and a few restaurants and eateries in the Abuja city.
My guess is that Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigerian former Finance Minister and Managing Director, World Bank Group probably had a chit-chat with Google CEO, Eric Schmidt about the possibilities of extending Google’s Corporate Social Responsibility projects towards Africa, and perhaps Schmidt promised that Google would consider Nigeria for the WiFi project.
If that’s what happened, it’s really hard to say that was a deal. I’ve checked all around the web for any press release or announcement from Google or the Nigerian government, but couldn’t find anything.
So was there really a deal? What could have happened to the Google Wifi project? Are there plans still in the offing for Google WiFi in Nigeria?
I think this is just a virtual deal between the Nigerian Govt and Google inc.
Maybe it’s time an indiginous firm comes up with such innovation with the prototype starting from a particular state. I suggest this project can be executed by our Nigerian Tetiary Institutions.