US envoy unveils first state-of-the art American space in Nigeria

Stuart Symington, United States ambassador to Nigeria, on Friday opened Nigeria’s first priority American space hosted at Co-Creation Hub (CC-Hub) in Yaba.
 
According to Symington, the space is equipped with technology to help users develop innovative ideas and interact with the various people across the world.

“At the Priority American Space in Lagos, we are investing in technology and programs to unleash the creativity of Nigeria’s burgeoning community of innovators,” he said.

“We are pleased to partner with Co-Creation Hub, a leading force for incubating social entrepreneurship and technological advancement.”

The space, which is equipped with computers, alongside internet access, a library and various technological tools, is free for the use of interested parties. It opens Mondays to Fridays, from 10am to 5pm.

The centre, which is the 10th of its kind in Africa and 67th in the world, comprises a MakerSpace, a tech area designed to promote digital skill building; a workshop space equipped with the latest laptops and tablets for internet learning.

It also has a conversation space for small group meetings and research and a meeting space that supports innovation and creative collaboration.

Speaking at the event, Darcy Zotter, public affairs officer, US consulate general, Lagos, said the space was created to support Nigerian talent.

“We want to support what we see as a lot of talent here. A lot of Nigerians are involved in innovation and entrepreneurship and that was one of the reasons for us to open this priority space here in partnership with CCHub,” she said.

“We want to do what we can to support CCHub’s efforts and open it up to the public. As the head of CCHub said, when you go above the first floor, you have to be a member, you don’t have to be a member to come here. It is free, open and has a wide range of resources. We want to help spark ideas.