Local Content Can Spur Business Growth in Nigeria, says Google

THE Google has said that if Nigerian entrepreneurs concentrate on the creation of local content online they would be able to grow their businesses beyond what they have projected at the inception of their businesses.

The reason is that going online present holds the key to the success of most business today, since the online media offers appreciable reach to wide audience.

Speaking to journalist at journalist in Lagos, at a three-day conference tagged Share Your Nigerian Content (SYNC), Country Manager, Mrs. Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor said that having an online business presence means more success for a business,increase in reach for big brand as well as an increase in revenue.

The three-day conference, which brought together entrepreneurs, content creators and journalists was aimed at enabling content creators to embrace the power of the web to grow locally relevant content online and drive monetization.

According to Ehimuan-Chiazor, the success story of others makes it mandatory that no one can run away from the internet revolution.

While urging Nigerians to engage the social media to increase local content online she noted that getting businesses online means that the business is going to succeed adding, “We have seen some success story. We have had stories of business that have experienced growth through the web and the social media.

She revealed that fantastic ideas could be turned into a success story through the rightful use of the social media stressing that there are solutions that are relevant to all kinds of businesses.

The Google Country Manager revealed that her company has as part of its commitment towards tackling the challenges of broadband in the country created internet access to universities in Nigera, adding that international broadband cost has began to dropped due to the arrival of optic fibre cable to the shores of the country.

According to her what is left now is to tackle the last mile challenge saying that is Google suggest a public private sector to tackle the challenges.

She said that despite the worries of online financial transactions, most people are still doing business noting that the business models such as payment on delivery is one indication and that the trend will improve.

Ehimuan-Chiazor observed that what is important is the fact that Nigerians are talking advantage of social media like the Youtube to grow their businesses adding that there are now educational content, access and reach to a wide audience.

She stated that Nollywood has expanded its presence on the internet through Youtube saying that has created monetary value for the industry.

Earlier while delivering the keynote at the event, Ehimuan-Chiazor said the sessions are being held with a view to helping individuals from key communities better understand how to take advantage of the internet to boost content distribution." "The internet presents huge opportunities for Nigeria's creative and content production industry. We intend to work with this community as well as others to fully harness internet tools that have proven to be very successful across the world" she added.

Some of the notable highlights of the 1st day of the conference included the launch of the 'Impact of Internet' study, which examined the Internet’s impact on, and potential contribution to, social and economic development in Nigeria.

The launch event which was held at the Transcorp hilton in Abuja had as keynote speaker the Honourable Minister of Communication Technology, Omobola Johnson.

Other highlights included a first of its kind 12-hour online musical concert via Google+ Hangouts called “Music Out of Africa”. The online concert which hosted an array of top Nigerian musical acts like Dr Sid, Dipo, Emma Nyra, Pryse, Yemi Alade, Blink, Show Dem Camp, Endia 48, Temi Dollface, Nosa amongst others afforded the musicians an opportunity to bond with their fans from different parts of the world. Speaking about the online concert, Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade Communications and Public Affairs Manager Anglophone West Africa said, “We are excited to see our local artists engaging and socializing via Google+.

The level of excitement generated is further proof that there is a global community of Nigerian content consumers who are constantly looking for fresh and entertaining content online. Our hope is that these session will further inspire our entertainers and content creator to create and share a lot more content online.”

Some of the activities of the 2nd day included the much anticipated Data Journalism tools training for the Nigerian media, an advertisers/publishers session and an Ecommerce roundtable session with top players in the industry.