Naijastew is a new social utility fashioned after the famous Facebook. Like any other social networking site, the site allows you to create a profile, upload photos, write blogs, share music and videos, chat, and much more.

The site has a clean and refreshing design, very professional and non-invasive as far as ads are concern. The design also adopts some of the features of Facebook’s applications and functionality.

Naijastew is currently working on a video application which will be the next upgrade to its beta application. The site which launched about a week now currently has a community of about 40 members just by word of mouth.

What is unique about it?

Naijastew requires you to use your full name (perhaps real name), just like Facebook. However, I noticed that one of the members created a profile using abstract letters (xxx xxx), which I think doesn’t match Facebook’s functunality, where every Facebook user must display a real name (or at least a full name).

Also, the site allows you to view the latest activities on the site when someone signs up, posts a comment, become friends with another member, updates profile, etc.

My take on it?

I’ve reviewed quite a good number of social networking sites in Nigeria and have also criticized them in a way to raise the standards of social networks coming from Nigeria so they could meet world’s standards. So before considering a positive review, I pay attention to certain features like name, concept, design, products and application.

For Naijastew, I must say that I was put off at first when I received the request to review the site, because of the name. I’ve always advised that Nigerian startups avoid the use of the colloquial word ‘naija’ when naming their sites. Instead, they should come up with a unique brand name that sets them apart from the pack. Read about brand names here.

I’m not sure about the idea of the word ’stew’, as anyone would think that the main idea is to connect food enthusiasts and nutrition experts together, thus a social networking site for food lovers, food tips and advice, recipes, etc. For design, the site’s got a cool interface with some of Facebook’s functionality. I couldn’t find any unique product or feature that the site offers users. Perhaps, there would be interesting features in the future, so let’s wait and see.

My suggestions would be for Naijastew to offer unique features that would make it stand out, instead of operating under the face of Facebook. That wouldn’t help the site’s ’stew’ appeal to more people’s taste and get a large audience just like Facebook has done.

I’m waiting to see what Naijastew’s video application would look like.