NewStats: 3,263,613 , 8,180,744 topics. Date: Friday, 06 June 2025 at 07:34 PM 6f35

Chale, today marks one whole year since I stopped working or collaborating with Nigerian developers and tech enthusiasts, and honestly, I don’t regret it. The problem is simple: we’re too damn comfortable where we are, and it’s like nobody has the vision to see or predict the future.

This year alone, what new thing have you genuinely seen in the Nigerian tech space? Nothing. Everybody is just recycling the same ideas like we’re stuck in a loop. Fintech this, fintech that. Every other person is building a “cross-border payment” app, and the joke is, even with all this noise, the cross-border payment problem still dey ground. Most of these so-called solutions are heavily reliant on third-party platforms like Stripe, PayPal, Visa, or Mastercard. So tell me, where exactly is the innovation? How are you solving anything when your “solution” can’t even stand on its own?

Now let’s talk about loan apps. If you open the Google Play Store, loan apps have taken over like weeds. Same thing, everywhere. The fintech space is so saturated that it’s almost suffocating. Before, everyone wanted to die on e-commerce; now, it’s fintech. We’ve lost originality. Nobody wants to think outside the box or even create something that challenges the status quo.

And what’s worse? Founders running off with investors’ money. Yes, some startups are trying to implement AI, but what are they doing with it? Chatbots. Freaking chatbots. At this point, chatbots are so outdated they should be in a museum. Where are the real AI solutions? The AI agents that can intelligently and proactively solve real problems? Few people even know what AI agents are in this space, let alone use them to create innovative products. It’s frustrating!

Let’s talk ecosystem for a second. Look at what Temu did to the Nigerian e-commerce market. Temu entered and scattered everywhere. It’s not just about their $4.5 billion marketing budget; it’s because our ecosystem can’t compete. Look at Jumia. Compare Jumia’s website to Temu’s. The difference is clear, and Temu is eating into Jumia’s market share like it’s nothing.

Then you hear someone saying they want to build a virtual card system in 2025. Are you serious? With the same outdated tech everyone else is using? This mentality is why the Nigerian tech ecosystem is stagnant. We have the biggest tech scene in Africa, but there’s no innovation to back it up. It’s just founders chopping money and running away.

Meanwhile, outside Nigeria, a 17-year-old builds an app called Cal AI that uses photos of food to track calories. Is the app accurate? No, because it doesn’t for weight. But nobody cares! The kid is making over a million dollars a month because of how well he marketed the product and leveraged existing APIs. That’s the difference. Outside here, people are using AI to create groundbreaking SaaS products. Meanwhile, we’re here, playing safe and doing the same old nonsense.

Since I started working with developers and tech enthusiasts from other countries, it’s become clear to me that we’re lightyears behind. And the saddest part? We’re not even trying to catch up.

Na God go help us, because I can’t be part of this mess anymore. This is not how you build a thriving tech ecosystem.

Jinx - https://x.com/Jinxofafrica

Hmmm

great insights, it's true there's nothing new in the Nigeria's or I'll dare say Africa's tech ecosystem, we are not building from 0 to 1.

After Paystack sold for 200M$ everyone and their Mama got into Fintech, it's funny though as you stated, up till now, the 'cross border' payment issue is still unsolved.

Nigeria specifically should adopt China's tech model, which is basically building local solutions that can take over the local market, for example, why do we have to use Uber, Bolt and Indriver, why not a Nigerian e-hailing app and so much more.

I'm working on start up too for over three years, and I'd say working with Nigeria's developers sucks balls, I'm currently a one man team, chatgpt made things incredibly easier.

Winnerrrr:
great insights, it's true there's nothing new in the Nigeria's or I'll dare say Africa's tech ecosystem, we are not building from 0 to 1.

After Paystack sold for 200M$ everyone and their Mama got into Fintech, it's funny though as you stated, up till now, the 'cross border' payment issue is still unsolved.

Nigeria specifically should adopt China's tech model, which is basically building local solutions that can take over the local market, for example, why do we have to use Uber, Bolt and Indriver, why not a Nigerian e-hailing app and so much more.

I'm working on start up too for over three years, and I'd say working with Nigeria's developers sucks balls, I'm currently a one man team, chatgpt made things incredibly easier.

I want to acquire a digital skill by next month. Which would you advice I go for and which is hot in the tech market and lucrative as well, pls intimate me on the whole thing,thanks.

Was thinking of graphic design but someone said it isn't hot in the market.

PerfectStranger:

I want to acquire a digital skill by next month. Which would you advice I go for and which is hot in the tech market and lucrative as well, pls intimate me on the whole thing,thanks.

Was thinking of graphic design but someone said it isn't hot in the market.

Software Development, go to roap.sh and pick a path, the traditional path is Frontend->Backend->Mobile.

Then you can decide whether you want to get a job or build a startup.

Winnerrrr:


Software Development, go to roap.sh and pick a path, the traditional path is Frontend->Backend->Mobile.

Then you can decide whether you want to get a job or build a startup.

OK what's the duration it will take me to complete the training and how much can i pay for it?

PerfectStranger:

OK what's the duration it will take me to complete the training and how much can i pay for it?

Depends on the time you invested, if you're putting in 5 hours a day, you can be 'job ready' in 6 months.

And on Training, you can buy a course on Udemy or use Youtube to learn, I'd recommend Brad Traversy and Freecodecamp Channels, they are based.

Winnerrrr:


Depends on the time you invested, if you're putting in 5 hours a day, you can be 'job ready' in 6 months.

And on Training, you can buy a course on Udemy or use Youtube to learn, I'd recommend Brad Traversy and Freecodecamp Channels, they are based.

Wait, I'm getting the training via YouTube? Like virtually? How will that aid my proficiency? Is that even possible? How much can I budget to acquire it for the 6 month?

PerfectStranger:

Wait, I'm getting the training via YouTube? Like virtually? How will that aid my proficiency? Is that even possible? How much can I budget to acquire it for the 6 month?

Go to roap.sh and pick a path and then for every milestone(topics, concepts) on the roap you find the contents on youtube to learn with.

It's arduous but it will build your research skills.

Or you can go through a coding school if you prefer structural learning like AltSchool or ALX Africa.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7pSrsD7iMU


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqsRDke4uH4

WATCH AND SUBSCRIBE

Winnerrrr:


Go to roap.sh and pick a path and then for every milestone(topics, concepts) on the roap you find the contents on youtube to learn with.

It's arduous but it will build your research skills.

Or you can go through a coding school if you prefer structural learning like AltSchool or ALX Africa.

OK I base in Abuja, do you know of any school I can learn the coding?