THE RECPE FOR THE NIGERIAN ECONOMIC REVOLUTION In 2014,

Techno introduced affordable low-end Android smart phones. Several people, especially students, like me, queued up to get one. Soon, several other brands like Infinix, came into the game, making the competition very fierce. That was, the Nigerian Smartphone Revolution. We are yet to tap into the enormous natural and human resources we have and that is because we lack the foundation for them to stand....

In a country like Nigeria, where poverty and unemployment levels are high, people barely have enough money to feed themselves and their families, not to talk of buying high-end products that are shipped to us from abroad. Businesses struggle to survive because their profit is far less than what they spend. To tackle these economic problems we need:

1. Constant Power Supply: Most businesses in Nigeria spend more on petrol and diesel than any other thing, thereby driving the cost of goods high. One of the reasons there are few high-rise buildings (condos) in Nigeria is because of the lack of constant electricity to power the elevators. Most hospital equipment ‘donated’ to us require constant electricity to operate. Where there is steady power supply, business will flourish and more industries will rise. They can run for 24 hours if they wish. People will spend less on their generators and more on other things. Our hospitals will be more functional, with reduced number of deaths. All these translate to more jobs and more money for the country.

2. Fast and Affordable internet connection: The internet is the window to the world. Ideas can flow like air from one part of the world to the other in just a matter of seconds. Ideas are necessary for innovation. In the Nigerian education system, lecturers still rely on old notes with little research work, when, in the real world, those are outdated.

Professionals rarely conduct research and attend international conferences where they stay up to date in their field. Having a fast and affordable internet connection will bridge the gap between Nigeria and the rest of the world in terms of circulation of information. We can build upon ideas from other parts of the world and tailor them to fit our environment.

On the other hand, it can create legitimate jobs for our tech-savvy youths. Web development, App development, freelance writing/blogging and so on. If only the Government could squeeze out a ‘little’ money from their tight budget and focus on the project, putting aside politics and corruption; investors and entrepreneurs will have a fertile ground and a solid foundation to build on. It will bring about a revolution like a wild bush fire that cannot be stopped.

Written by:

Ogidi Chianugo