06/10/2016
Unlocking Internet-Based Business Opportunities in Nigeria - By
DEMION SESUGH TAKUR
The Internet has today grown to become a significant part of our
everyday lives, delivering solutions that were never thought of as
possible both at home, in the school, as well the workplace.
Though initially designed as a means of communications for the
American military and also in the academic community, the Internet has
gradually evolved into a leading medium for education, business
transaction and information dissemination.
Today, the Internet is being used as a payment method,
telecommunication traffic is also carried through the Internet and even
video and audio services is among many services possible today on
the Internet.
Advertising and electronic commerce have also become big businesses
through the medium. In fact in 2006, revenue from online advertising in
the United Kingdom overtook advertising in other medium for the time
in history.
But despite this reality, Nigerians are not among major players in this
big global business.
Experts, however, note that with proper planning, Internet can be a
veritable source of income for individuals and even corporate bodies.
Managing Director of Kemson Concepts, Mr Ben Aduli, said the Internet
provides an almost endless source of financial income. According to
him, with good access, one can sit in the comfort of his home, provide
Internet-based solutions to people in several parts of the world, and
rake in some good income from such business.
He said there are services requiring people to make data entry and
simply send the results back. The President of the Nigerian Internet
Group, Mr. Lanre Ajayi, says the body had realised that many Nigerians
were not using the Internet optimally as they should to better their lives
and was therefore out to change the situation in the' country. According
to him, there is more money in Internet content if people can devote
time and effort to such. He says while in the past, infrastructure
seemed to be a better source of income, content had overtaken it.
"Most of the businesses that we do today would enter into online
formats in the years to come. This creates room for business," he
says. He noted that for anyone intending to be part of the Internet
financial revolution, "creativity is the word." "People have to be creative
to have successful online business, he says ..
He said an example of creative online business that the NIG had
identified is that of an individual who has digitised all the past questions
of JAMB and their answers. According to him, the problem with the
solution is identifying an effective online payment system that will allow
users to access it without problem and would also ensure that the
owner of the site gets money due him Other Internet businesses that
Ajayi identifies include electronic government solutions, classified
advertisement and electronic learning.
He explains that in electronic government solutions that make it easy for
people to access information on government businesses online is
required in the country. "Why should everyone go to Abuja to find out
information about government activities," he asks. He says that payment
for government services and getting receipts can be done online. What
is required is for people to design the solutions
He says classified advertising include getting information about cars,
office equipment and other needs of people and putting information
about them together in a single site. This, he notes, is not happening
yet in Nigeria. He says, 'If I am looking to buy a' car, why should I drive
round the whole of Lagos to look at the shops of all the car dealers
when I can access the information on cost and the photographs of the
cars from a website."
Ajayi identifies a major cost factor as marketing. According to him,
many Nigeria Internet-businesses are not doing very well because they
are not were marketed.
But he says as a non-governmental organisation determined to promote
Internet growth in Nigeria, NIG would now be looking for Nigerians that
had idea on Internet business and would be supporting them to ensure
that their businesses grow.
The new move, according to him, also enjoys the support of
government institutions including the Nigeria Information Technology
Development Agency and the Nigerian Communications Commission.
