Multinational professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers unveiled its first experience centre in Lagos, yesterday. With over thirty of such centres around the world, Nigeria’s commercial capital was long overdue to join in on PwC’s futuristic quest to spread its digital services and innovative solutions across Africa.
The experience centre is a new-age, technology-focused ecosystem replete with colourful designs and set-pieces that are meant to foster idea generation for PwC clients. In attendance at the Lagos launch were Vice President Yemi Osibanjo, represented by the Director-General of the Budget Office, Ben Akabueze, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Zenith Bank Plc’s Chairman, Jim Ovia, and the former GMD/CEO of the now-defunct Diamond Bank Plc, Uzoma Dozie, among others.
In his remark, Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, stated that Nigeria’s future would be spearheaded by technology and not oil and gas.
“The PwC Experience Centre is in line with the smart technology initiative of the government. As an administration, we recognise that Nigeria’s future does not lie in oil and gas but more in technology and innovation. This is anchored on moving the economy away from a resource-based to a people-based model. We must take this seriously going forward.” –Osinbajo
The Lagos State’s Babajide Sanwo-Olu also expressed the same sentiment:
“I think the PwC initiative is the way to go. It is in line with what Lagos state government is doing to boost the economy. I encourage other companies to see it as a challenge and begin to tap into the opportunities the government is creating.”
Each one of the Vice President, Governor, Mr Ovia and PwC’s Regional Senior Partner for West Africa, Mr Uyi Akpata, all made opening remarks to kick off the launch. According to Mr Akpata:
“The Experience Centre is an important part of our broader drive to transform how we engage with our clients, our people and our community to Re-imagine the Possible in a fast changing and competitive market. This Centre will drive our thinking around disruption and the emerging technologies. It will also provide us a platform to support clients, working with them to co-create solutions that meet todays and future business challenges. The Centre will also allow us experiment from prototypes, simulate scenarios, see how it’s going to work, test it and see that they meet the needs of the client and the market.”
A look at the Facility: After the opening remarks, guests were given a tour of the facility which included a demo room with PwC employees giving presentations on the company’s latest offerings in Tax and Drone technology. Also featured were a virtual reality simulator, a “Geek zone” for strategy sessions, a “nap room” for rest and a game room for employees to unwind. With millennials comprising a significant portion of the company’s workforce, it was important to design a work environment inspired by youth.
The experience center is located at CCP Place, Plot 17, Block 25, Chief Abiodun Yesufu Way, Oniru, Victoria Island.
About PwC: Pricewaterhousecoopers is a a network of firms in 158 countries with over 250,000 people that provide advisory, auditing, and tax services.
