Can Facebook Developers Garage Be Built in Nigeria?
Last week, I discussed with some software and web developers from the University of Lagos, Nigeria who indicated their strong interests in a hands-on workshop that would allow Nigerian developers to learn how to use the Facebook Platform and APIs to develop widgets and applications for businesses.
After the success of the Facebook Developers Garage in Kenya, Ghana and Uganda, I thought it’d be great to host one of such events in Lagos, Nigeria. The event will provide a forum for students and professional software developers in Nigeria to learn about the Facebook Platform and APIs, participate in application demonstrations, seek technical support from experts, share ideas and build collaborations.
Interestingly, Facebook has attracted a lot of Nigerians (over 200,000 active users), but few software developers and web entrepreneurs have actually used the Facebook Platform to develop applications. An example of such is Sturvs Facebook Application. This means that a great number of Nigerian web developers out there are yet to use their skills to build applications on the Facebook Platform.
So if you’re interested in a Facebook Developers Garage in Nigeria, you can join the Facebook group and participate in the discussions. You can also leave your thoughts, opinion, ideas and suggestions in the comments section below.
A developer garage in Nigeria? Instead of bringing the developer garage here why not lets start creating our own social networks? There are a lot out there but we all should know that they are open source scripts used to develop this things. We need to stand to the challenge and get really original. I am building a new social network you can read more about it on my website. Im outta here
Nice idea exposure is important….
Hi, I tried to find the Facebook Development Garage - Nigeria group and did not see it listed. Has this group already been formed? I’d like to be notified when it is so that I could join. Thanks.
I don’t think this will help the SME’s or rather big companies in Nigeria. I have been involved with developing widget and tools for social networking site. It’s better letting them know the benefits and how it fits into the Nigerian market.
Let me know how I can help. Nigeria as a country is missing out on loads of online marketing opportunities.
@Oyelaja - First, your website is not accessible, so we don’t know your new social network. Too bad!
Second, Facebook Developer Garages are being hosted in several parts of the world (including London), so why not in Lagos, Nigeria?
Third, what’s wrong with learning how to use your current skills to develop APIs from Facebook engineers and developers?
@Francis - Let’s see if we can spread the word…
@Will - Yes, please find the link.
@Jerry - What’s wrong with having our home-grown talents develop applicatons for use by those start-ups and bullish companies to build their brands on Web 2.0 platforms? Now, if they can’t, those companies will look up to South Africa, etc for their outsourcing needs.
[...] Loy calls for Facebook Developers Garage in Nigeria. He believes that the event will provide a forum for students and professional software developers in Nigeria to learn learn how to use the Facebook Platform and APIs to develop widgets and applications for businesses. Posted by Ndesanjo Macha Print version Share This [...]
Who is gonna start the garage? Is it anti-gravity with their dull fb applications man seriously its a good idea but it wont work in nigeria believe it or not.
@Oyelaja - I’ve just recieved an email from Facebook and they are willing to support a Facebook Developers Garage in Nigeria. If you are interested, join the facebook group for more updates.
whats in it for me as a person?
Depends on your interest in the Facebook Platform:-)
Oh ok but hey man can we try to build Nigeria further im working on a social network and so far so good its really great there is a stuff like a platform on it but i dont call it a platform but i really need sponsors and people to work with to get ideas and some more programming power i believe with dedication and some more concentration we can kick-off a real social network in this Country…..
http://img291.imageshack.us/my.php?image=okezietestxg0.jpg
this is a link to what my network looks like for now what do you think?
Checked the link. What exactly is your social network all about? Can you send me a brief idea? I’ll respond to your email soon.
What did you think of it as it is? Its a general social network that will have lots or perks in it. Games, Applications, and a lot more its not based on anything really. I love the idea of a social network that has everything in it so you dont divide your life on the internet. Like for example you want to write a forum you will need to go on another website and fill in registration and all that and then you have another account for a social network somewhere else that makes just about too many login details you will for you to keep in your head innit? X.CLUSIVE makes it easy for you to have an all in one network where you can have CHATS,FORUMS,BLOGS,GAMES,PHOTOS,MAILS and a lot more it even plans to have a meebo integration so you can chat in your yahoo messenger on the website there are a lot of ideas to be put in it but developer power is limited and we really lack funds too. I was thinking of a sponsor and an advert reach. what do you think? And do you like the way the site looks from the image i showed you? Waiting to hear from you via mail.
@ Oyelaja
What we need in Nigeria is not a new Social Networking Site. There are lot out there which have really matured so it’s just re-inventing the wheel. And depending on open source scripts is just tying yourself to their own architecture making it difficult to bring in your own unique ideas.
I believe there are many other great things that can be done.