A country which is seen by many as the giant of Africa, is an oil-rich country situated on mid-Africa’s Atlantic coast, or as it is often described, West Africa. It is the most populous country in Africa and the eighth most populous in the world. If Nigeria is to really live up to its expectations of emerging a great country, then it cannot ignore the increasing importance of the Internet in communications, education, business and commerce. Already this significance is been reflected by the increase in the number of cybercafes, ISPs and numerous Internet based businesses in the country.

The Internet has spurred the economic and social growth of most developed nations and the same effects are being seen in many developing nations. But as reported by Internet world stats, Internet penetration in Nigeria stands at only 7.2 percent. Though very poor for a country priding itself as the giant of Africa with a huge population of more than 150 million people, its potential for growth is massive and thus positive.

The growth of Internet in Nigeria is limited, compared to what is obtainable in developed countries. According to recent surveys conducted by one of Nigeria’s foremost technology research and content management companies E-shekels limited on effective engagement of the Internet for development, has revealed that people were only ready to use a technology tool if it adds immediate value to their lives. The research also stated that there were great demand for the Internet facilities in Nigeria, but due to numerous obstacles those demands could not be adequately met. Some of these obstacles hindering ICT and Internet growth in Nigeria are listed below.

1.) LACK OF POWER SUPPLY – There is limited and unsteady power supply in the country when compared to the rate of supply in other parts of the world. This has served as one of the major problems hindering Internet growth in the country. The Nigerian government keeps announcing the need for foreign investors to invest in the country without understanding of the fact that no investor would like to push resources, where he would he running at extra cost in energy generation. That is exactly the position of Nigerian investor. Nigeria government has done virtually nothing to ensure steady power supply, her privatization of the PHCN and the change of name to EEDC has not solved the problem. To access the internet fully and steadily, a steady power supply is a criterion, which unfortunately has not been tackled, and this has led to a limited use of the internet by many who desire to use it. With very unreliable power in the country, operators are left with no choice but to acquire and rely constantly on generators; expending huge gallons of fuel daily, in order to distribute internet to offices, homes, or cafes for subscribers. The epileptic power situation in the country has further compounded the woes of the few ISPs and Cyber cafes operating in the country.

2.) POVERTY – Nigeria is a developing country consisting mainly of poverty-ravaged people who cannot afford three square meals a day. There is high cost of feeding, education, and health in the land. The poor ones will rather not waste their little income to access the internet when they have their priority as food, clothing and shelter. Many cannot afford to own a PC at home, even the fairly used ones being shipped from developed countries; talk less of engagement in internet connectivity for research and exploration.

3.) HIGH LEVEL OF ICT ILLITERACY – “Illiteracy is a defect,” says the white man’s adage. The high rate of illiteracy in the country is another ugly trend that is hindering the growth of internet use in Nigeria and this has contributed to the decline in the use of this super facility. People are ignorant of what the internet is all about, its uses, applications and benefits in solving their problems. Most people gave not seen a computer before, not to talk of understanding internet concepts. There are other obstacles; just pause, think, and definitely you must remember a few factors you can discuss vividly as an obstacle to growth in Nigeria. Although it must be said that ICT knowledge in Nigeria is growing and being embraced, yet there remain a large majority of rural population that has not seen firsthand, the immense benefits of the internet.

4.) HIGH COST OF GETTING INTERNET – Internet doesn’t come cheap in Nigeria. As it stands, it is arguably the preserve of the rich who often times than one, have access from their homes. One of the reasons for the high cost of connecting to the internet is the costs involved in using satellites due to a lack of cable infrastructure. Most Internet traffic in Nigeria often times needs to be routed by satellite via North America and Europe Website.

5.) LOW SPEED AND TIME-CONSUMING INTERNET – Out of 10 million estimated Internet users in Nigeria, broadband users are few. High-speed broadband requires fiber optic cables. The situation should, however, improve as there are a number of projects underway to connect African countries with the rest of the world through undersea cables which is hoped will eventually lead to affordability and fast internet speed.

6.) INCREASING COMPETITION – Traditional internet service providers are beginning to face increasing competition from internet services offered by mobile operators. The introduction of 3G services in the country has enabled many Nigerians to access the internet through mobile devices. Meanwhile, access to telecom services isn’t necessarily reliant on new cabling. While only 4 percent of people in the country have fixed telephone lines, 30 percent have cell phones.

7.) LACK OF INTERNET READY PCS – Nigerians are not provided with Internet-ready PCs as done in the advanced countries. Though Zinox Computers, a computer manufacturer and a leading CDMA telecom operator are joining forces to make this available, and other efforts are currently being made, much of this still remain in the doldrums.

8.) YAHOO-YAHOO – Another of Nigeria’s Internet problems is the growing internet culture among Nigerian youths representing more than 80 per cent of Nigeria’s population – Young minds due to lack of awareness, low number of Nigerian website on the internet, lack of Nigerian specific e-payment system and poor e-learning culture throng cyber cafes only to check their email accounts, visit pornographic sites, shop online with stolen credit cards and so many other negative vices that has come to be known as YAHOO YAHOO!

CC: lalasticlala, ishilove, dragnet, honsule, puskin

Source: http://www.mediapaper.net/2015/06/23/top-8-problems-of-internet-growth-in-nigeria/

Informative post!

Nice one OP

K

Hi am Mr. ROBOT

Isorrite

True thou

Ok

spot on.

Lack of power supply is at the root of it all.

How is Yahoo Yahoo a problem. I thought people do it to put food on the table. For me, I think without the yahoo yahoo, most of us will be robbed by armed robbers. It is a lesser evil. Music and Yahoo Yahoo has totally employed more youths than the Federal Government, State Governments and Local Governments put together. I am always thinking outside the box though.

Allrt

So, I can av this opportunity... Is there online curfew ?...ok lemme go and read d post

if only mtn and airtel can reduce android monthly subscription to #200

Aii

youmour:
K

MzFlawless:
ok

otijah:
K

MrRobot:
Absolute Bullshit...

Someone writes up something that makes sense and is addressing an important issue in Nigeria and this is what you jokers have to say?

If it is mindless celebrity gossip or licking the backsides of political godfathers, you will be jumping up and down in excitement.


I weep for the youths in this country

Please has anyone watched the movie titled“the social network"

Must the 0P copy all the topshots here before his post makes it to FP? Smh ..many of us send interesting posts here on daily basis but there seems to be marginalisation going on

.

lack of power supply is the major problem

Atlantian:
How is Yahoo Yahoo a problem. I thought people do it to put food on the table. For me, I think without the yahoo yahoo, most of us will be robbed by armed robbers. It is a lesser evil. Music and Yahoo Yahoo has totally employed more youths than the Federal Government, State Governments and Local Governments put together. I am always thinking outside the box though.

So you're a proud yahoo-boy. Oh right! They call you guys "G-Boys" now.

I hope you'll put your kids on the same line too. Atlantian Scamming Dynasty.


Oh you're probably not a yahoo-boy but you support it. Cool

coming..

nice one..

No9: Low lives who you don't care about,they can't face you in real life and are really obsessed with you,use the Internet as an advantage to blackmail and stalk you. Some also use it to live the life they don't/can't have....liars! Funny............

Atlantian:
How is Yahoo Yahoo a problem. I thought people do it to put food on the table. For me, I think without the yahoo yahoo, most of us will be robbed by armed robbers. It is a lesser evil. Music and Yahoo Yahoo has totally employed more youths than the Federal Government, State Governments and Local Governments put together. I am always thinking outside the box though.

I agree that yahoo yahoo is not a major problem considering that some of the biggest online scammers are from the USA and Asia

AllNaijaBlogger:









Someone writes up something that makes sense and is addressing an important issue in Nigeria and this is what you jokers have to say?

If it is mindless celebrity gossip or licking the backsides of political godfathers, you will be jumping up and down in excitement.


I weep for the youths in this country

go back and check my post ode! Seems u ar new in this forum

otijah:
go back and check my post ode! Seems u ar new in this forum

Are you some kind of nairaland Godfather?

Sorry, I will stay on my lane