Comments on: Can We Build Silicon Valley in Nigeria?

By: Startups Nigeria » 5 Tips for Choosing an Ideal City for Your Startup

Startups Nigeria » 5 Tips for Choosing an Ideal City for Your Startup — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 22:26:13 +0000

[...] I suggested in my previous article about creating a Silicon Valley in Nigeria, it will require a concious effort from everyone including the government, companies and private [...]

By: imnakoya

imnakoya — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 04:24:04 +0000

You may explore what Rwanda is doing with its IT sector, this nation that was a hell-hole in the early 90s may turn around and be the “silicon valley” you hope Nigeria becomes, see this

By: imnakoya

imnakoya — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 04:14:31 +0000

The ingredients to make silicon valley happen in Nigeria are not there. Power supply and other infrastructure, abundant and well trained human resources (good universities), and security and justice.

Each item on the list is a full topic for discussion on its own, and can be best tackled locally, for the state level…that is why Nigeria must be a real federation where each state has the power to determine and dictate its priorities and progress. As long as everyone looks at Abuja for self determination and sustenance, forget silicon valley in Nigeria…the likes of Ikeja Computer village, Ariara market in the East are what you would get!

By: Ebuks

Ebuks — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 07:44:03 +0000

We need to understand, that in Nigeria we are always doing “play catch up” which must stop. Egypt was the centre of the advanced world about 3000yrs ago (Pythagoras and the rest of them) they invented astrology, mathematics and mordern medicine e.t.c Now please how far away is Egypt to Nigeria compared to sylicon valley a bus ride away vs 8000miles. So please we got all it takes… Now these are my proposals. You need a very inexpensive place and please don’t laugh but i think Nsukka, The home of UNN (University of Nigeria) is the place let me tell you why. (1) The price to get an office, pay staff and even transport is very very low, 30% of Lagos. (2) You have got a top Research University there which is the home of the Nigerian Space Research Team, including lecturers professors and brilliant states men Like P.N Okeke and their legacy. (3) You will need to build a cheap but adequate solar farm to offer free internet and electricity for the whole town. If you tried this in Lagos only Agengunle will run the whole thing down. (4) You need to be far away from law makers as much as possible not for anything bad but they are always the first people to say you can’t do what you wanna do which is what every online startup must AVOID. I dont think Nairaland would have survived if it was based in Lagos. (3) Capital cities and Sea ports have little incommon with online businesses why? there are so many short term physical opportunities that any one will listen to you when it comes to venture-startup-costs. (4) The East of Nigeria is full of allsorts of startups people only see the results in Lagos and thats why they think everything must happen there…everything ends in Lagos not start Loo… Aba, Onitsha is where there are people ready to pay you now now now if your “pitch” is right…and guess what they are the ones who control most of the markets in Lagos. Go and ask the movie industry i don’t need to talk
The mountains in Nsukka will also act as an inspiration for the startups and bring in tourists/foreign venture capitalists. They can then go to Abuja to get a licence for their runs ha ha ha…

By: Oyelaja Oyekan

Oyelaja Oyekan — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 03:30:14 +0000

I believe in the potential of this. But I really do not see any startups at the moment with an attitude like what you seen in silicon valley. When most networks around here do not even have about us pages. To begin to move closer to this, we have to begin to love and cherish what we do…………………Add more fun to it.