In August, President Muhammadu Buhari ordered closed Nigeria’s land border with Benin, preventing the import of goods. The move significantly affected trade in foodstuffs, which had already been affected by various past import restrictions. In this article we examine the one positive effect the border closure has brought to Nigerians at large.

As part of an on-going effort to tackle smuggling and associated corruption, but also to spur the domestic agricultural industry, on October 14, 2019, Nigeria ordered closed all of Nigeria’s borders with Benin, as well as those with all other countries, for the same reasons. With the market for smuggled food now restricted, domestic food prices, already high, have gone up and the economy of neighboring countries— a staging area for smuggling into Nigeria has been devastated. Imports into Nigeria are to come through sea ports, where customs duties can be imposed more easily than at land borders. Nigeria’s vital oil exports are not affected.

While Nigeria’s borders reflect late-nineteenth century agreements among the British, French, and Germans, most African borders were similarly created by European colonial powers. The point being, the borders rarely reflect indigenous history or culture. In the case of Nigeria, while there are formal border crossings with customs services along the main roads, there are literally hundreds of others along footpaths and minor roads that are unregulated. The practical consequences of closing the land borders is likely to vary from one part of the country to another, based on government capacity to enforce closures.

So, what have been the positive benefits of the Nigerian border closure?

1. Increased Internally Generated Revenue (IGR): This is a huge fact because Nigeria has imposed customs duties which can be readily imposed more easily at sea ports than at land border. This is a major breakthrough as duties paid by importers are drafted to the IGR. This move is huge because over the years, prior to the border closure there has been no full regulation on duties paid for import. Now, with this strategic yet painful framework deployed by the President there will be accountability from the Nigeria Customs Department in contributing fully their own quota to the Single Treasury, which will best max the IGR for the GDP. To be honest, this move comes with a heavy steep price. This is obvious because many importers will have no other option to send in their goods and they’ll be forced to comply with the directive. It will affect the importers too who do not have enough funding for the duty payment effectively. But to be frank, the increased internal generated revenue will boost due to this.
2. Increased Consumption of Local Products: Nigerians like we know, love the consumption of foreign products. It’s in the blood really. However, to this effect of the Nigerian border closure, there has been a surge in the consumption of local goods. Take example, the locally made rice Nigerians rejected is now the most consumed commodity. As the cost of foreign products increase there comes the reality of Nigerians to use the available when the preferred is not available. According to locally rice farmers, it has been noted that they sell off their products easily these days compared to other times. It’s essential to note that the border closure was a move by President Buhari not to only tackle smuggling and associated corruption, but also to spur the domestic agricultural industry.

In effect, the move has been strategic and painful to numerous Nigerians, but the reality comes in that numerous nations are taking moves to increase their IGR for the benefit of their GDP. Countries like U.S.A are deploying this medium to tackle foreign nations like China from taking over their trading. It’s strategic and hits hard on the average citizens, but then there must be a future for a country to grow independently.

Just like the saying goes: “Rome wasn’t built in a day”. You will agree to the lone fact that the revitalization of Africa’s economy has been attributed to the leading advance in technology. This crucial factor that has played a prime role in this development can be attributed to the rise of tech hubs, especially in Africa. This is eminent as it is on the rise especially in Nigeria and Africa at large. But then: What are tech hubs? How do they work? How can upcoming startups and developers benefit from this phenomena?

What is a Tech Hub?

Just like the computer network hub, a connection point for devices in a network (Webopedia, 2018), the term ‘tech hub’ is simply a physical space (can be remote), a city, a suburb (like computer village Lagos), or a collective suite of offices whose aim is geared to help technology stay companies succeed, and scale up. Tech hubs create an environment specifically targeting the up-build of young technology companies thrive by encouraging: incubation, fast tracking, helping such firms network and collaborate with like minded individuals or enterprises.

The major goal of a tech hub is to grow ideas.

What Do They Need?

For a tech hub to thrive there are a lot of impeding criteria that must be meet so as to establish its relative productivity. One basic factor is a steady supply of permanent and temporary suitable workers, a means of generating revenue, relatively high speed internet access, robust infrastructure, location, transport, relative proximity of access, friendliness of the hub, and total coordinated organization.

Where Are The Best Hubs Located?

Remember, that the best known tech hub is probably Silicon Valley, based in California USA. Here you can find the big boys (companies) in the tech industry: Facebook, Apple, Netflix, Intel, Tesla, and major startups many of these were founded here.

In Nigeria, there are a numerous tech hubs available. The full list is available here, Prosper Otemuyiwa’s really helped in making this task easy, they include some in pictures:

How and Who Can Benefit From Tech Hubs?

While you might feel that only software and web developer are the most prime people to benefit from the establishment of tech hubs, you will be surprised to note that a lot of unskilled individuals are more likely on a ratio of 3:5 to gain immense experience from tech hubs.

Government agencies are really poised to gain knowledge, because tech hubs offer a wide angle of disseminated technologies, backgrounds, work groups, personalities and ideas. The core truth is that even companies seeking for skilled personnel’s to assist their companies can get a handful from reliable tech hubs across the continent.

So its a win-win. Tech hubs are for everyone, and by everyone. As the saying in the introduction of this article: “Rome wasn’t built in a day”, Nigeria has had a decent share of tech advancement due to the increase in tech hub, we have seen more open minded individuals come up in terms of technology challenges and even advocacy groups. The GitHub benchmark is a prime example of how poised and raging Nigeria and Africa is becoming towards the Open Source development and knowledge sharing. In it all, tech hubs are just like the library, you gain resources, experience and exposure.

So next time you think about a tech hub, what comes to your mind? Definitely, you will remark a tech hub as a ‘catalyst’ in crucial development. So find a tech hub around you and innovate!

What a man can do, a woman can do, if not better. It is no longer a new thing to see women doing the jobs regarded to be meant for men. After all, everyone can do anything as long as the heart is set on it.

I had a discussion with my good friend, Comfort. She talked about her experience on the Lagos road where she saw a beautiful lady running a ”Keke Napep” business. Comfort sees it as an opportunity for everyone in the country to stand up and do something, especially fresh graduates.

The situation in the country is no longer a joke, the truth remains, Nigeria needs help. Our fresh graduates must definitely stand up to the current situation in the country and pick up whatever job they can find. The story of this Keke Queen is truly an inspiration for many.

Can you tell us more about yourself?
My name is Okeyi Ojotule Comfort.  A graduate of Theater Arts from Kogi State University, Kogi. I served in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and I have vast interest for the media which includes both print and the mass media.

That’s really great. What do you do currently?
I’m an event manager for a sound and entertainment company – ”The prestigious Shuga Entertainment.”

Where is the company located?
At Ojodu Berger, Lagos State.

I saw your comment on one of my posts about “Keke Queens”. Can you share more about that?
I have been hearing about female tricycle riders until I saw one in October 2018, while I was in another Keke.

I was so excited to see this. Although I was unable to drop that day, I managed to trace her to the place where I saw her the next day. I was directed to her house and I did meet with her.

She welcomed me and we had a great conversation. She talked about her business. It was indeed an interesting one.

After meeting with her, I said to myself that every woman who is into the Keke Riding Business must really have an interesting story.  Since then, It has always been in my heart to do a documentary that will tell the whole world their courageous story because driving Keke is not an easy thing to do. It is mostly regarded as a job for the men.

There I tagged her the “Keke Queen”.

Do you mean she drives keke to earn a living?
Yes, she does.

What did you actually learn from her that has triggered this passion for Keke in you?
The courage to make that decision.

That type of courage is rare and sometimes in life, you just have to take that risk. She told me how she was mocked. She shared how she was in debt.

She told me she didn’t even learn how to ride it before it was leased to her, and she had to pay a certain amount of money in a week.

Her first day at work, she was scared. So many mixed feelings were bottled up. So many unanswered questions.

But despite this, she took the risk and today, she earns a living from it and also contributes to solving transport issues in Lagos state.

That takes a whole lot of guts. Would you ever have done the same?
Yes,  it definitely takes a lot of guts. I learnt from her story and I can do the same now if I find myself in a situation that would warrant that.

We are in a society where women are sometimes restricted from doing some tasks. What do you see to that?
I’m a strong advocate for equal opportunities. The excuse for restricting me shouldn’t be because of my gender, but because I am incapable.

Have you ever had any experience of such at work?
No. I haven’t.

Let’s hope you won’t experience such at your place of work. How many years did it take you to get a job after graduation?
2 months.

What’s your advice for every job seeker out there?
Don’t just pick up anything because you want something. It should be something you enjoy doing.

Finally, don’t give up on your search. You may get frustrated along the line, but never give up. The job that meant for you will come.

And lastly, what will you say to a young girl reading this interview?
Being a young girl in a Nigeria society, be it a student or a job seeker comes with its challenges. They expect you to follow the give and take rule that have already established.

They want you to give out your body in exchange for whatever you want. It occurs most times. But, hey, stay put. Don’t give up. Do not succumb. Do not let them say “she’s just a woman or just a girl”.

Be ready to work your way to success. Don’t stick to the status quo. Don’t let them marginalize you. Bring out the best in you. Together we all can change the world.

Thank you, Comfort. It has been a wonderful time chatting with you. You are indeed a great woman on a great mission. I wish you success in your endeavours.
You are as well Chinedu. It’s a rare privilege and I’m grateful. Thank you for granting me audience.