United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Africa’s global bank, has collaborated with Google and ISP partner to launch Google Station in 11 key UBA branches in Lagos State as part of plans to roll out 200 stations in the country.
Google Station, a platform for providing free, high-speed Wi-Fi hotspots in public places, began in Lagos last year and extended to Abuja in December in partnership with Backbone Connectivity Network. This Google-powered initiative would allow customers access to internet connectivity within the 11 branches and its environs, thereby facilitating their day-to-day businesses and activities, while ensuring unhindered connectivity.
The 11 branches where the hotspot will be located are:
- UBA Bank Road, 810-811 Bank Road, Daleko
- UBA Matori, 21 Fatai Aterestreet
- UBA Surulere, 152 Ogunlana Drive
- UBA Allen, 13 Allen Avenue, Ikeja
- UBA Tisco Plaza, Alausa
- UBA Apapa, 11-13 Warehouse Road, Apapa
- UBA Marina, 55 Marina, Lagos Island
- UBA HQ, Broad Street, Marina
- UBA Lekki Admiralty
- UBA Oke Arin
- UBA Aspamda Plaza, Trade Fair.
At the official launch which took place in UBA’s Head Office, Mr. Chuks Nweke, UBA’s Executive Director/ Group Chief Executive Officer, expressed UBA’s excitement over the collaboration, adding that the move will go a long way to present opportunities far beyond the imagination of both organisations. He noted that the challenges of financial inclusion which the USSD platform has not been able to solve will be eased through the Google Station, as the financially excluded will now be able to access the internet and enjoy the services provided free of charge. He said, “It is an interesting platform which will ultimately benefit everyone. It is a win-win for everyone.
Customers will have ease of doing businesses, especially with the growing use of smartphones, and the 52 million Nigerians who have otherwise been financially excluded will now have access to data through this collaboration and can carry out their transactions with ease. “Interestingly, SMEs, who previously had challenges with funding can now do other things which they couldn’t achieve before, such as accounting services and others.
Also, UBA recently launched an educational app, and so, students will be able to use these Google Station platform to carry out their necessary research from the comfort of their homes, it is an awesome opportunity with benefits for everyone which we are presenting to our customers in line with our customer 1st philosophy. Dupe Olusola. Group Head, Marketing, UBA Plc, said in addition to the 11 locations, the organisations are looking to expand beyond the shores of Nigeria to other African countries where UBA operates. She added that by the collaboration, the initiative will help ease the burden off customers while also presenting them with opportunities to excel beyond boundaries.
