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You can now apply for a Student loan in Nigeria, study without any fear of dropping out because of financial problems, and pay back when you have a paying job or business two years after your NYSC.
This student loan scheme is powered by the Federal Government of Nigeria, not by any private loan platforms.
In June 2023, President Tinubu signed the Student Loan Act into law. However, what was supposed to be good news to Nigerians turned into totally different news because of the strict eligibility criteria to access the loan.
Following this, the presidency postponed the launch of the Student loan scheme ‘indefinitely’ to make some corrections.
President Tinubu Signing the Student Loan Act
In April 2024, the President amended the Student Loan Act, and this time, the harsh eligibility criterion is now removed, paving the way for interested students in higher institutions.
For instance, one of the previous criteria to access a student loan says the family earning history must not be more than N500,000 per year, also the loan applicants must provide guarantors in the high-rank civil services among others.
These criteria sidelined the students from poor backgrounds in Nigeria. For instance, it is quite impossible for a family not to earn a total amount of N500k per year.
According to President Tinubu, the poor should have access to quality education for a brighter future, hence this amended Student Loan Act.
To pursue this goal of quality education for Nigerian youths, the federal government set up a corporate entity called the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to manage everything that has to do with student loans in Nigeria.
The Nigerian Student Loan Act tasks NELFUND with receiving, managing, and investing funds to provide loans to Nigerians pursuing higher education, vocational training, and skills acquisition programs. Also, the agency will be able to sue and be sued, can own properties, etc.
How do I Qualify for a Student Loan in Nigeria?
Applicants must be a Nigerian citizen
Applicants must be enrolled in a Public higher institution (university, polytechnic, college of education)
Students who are pursuing vocational skills may be eligible as the federal government understands that not everybody likes University education
How to Apply for the Nigerian Student Loan
The application process is simple, the interested student will obtain the student loan form, fill it and submit it to his/her school.
The application form will be acknowledged by the Student Affairs officer and the principal officer of the school (e.g. Vice Chancellor for Universities).
As of writing this piece, the government is still working on launching the student loan scheme so that students can start applying. So there is no information about where exactly to obtain the student loan application form, maybe offline in school or through a website.
(This post will be updated when the information is available, you can subscribe to our newsletter to be notified)
Nigerian Student Loan Repayment
You are expected to pay back the loan 2 years after you complete your NYSC.
The baseline for repayment is 10% of the applicant’s income. The applicant wishes he could clear the loan at once or tell his employer to deduct more than 10% of his income for the student loan repayment.
But what will happen if the applicant is unable to pay back after two years of NYSC? Well, nothing will happen provided you haven’t been employed and then, you can simply request for loan repayment extension which involves a court affidavit.
According to the Act, a Nigerian student loan defaulter will not be punished except if the applicant committed an act of felony — simply put if the applicant provided false information during the application or repayment process.
Also, the loan can be forgiven, meaning that the government can give an applicant the grace not to repay. Also in case of death, the loan will be forgiven.
How Much Can a Nigerian Loan Applicants Access?
The successful applicants will have access to N250,000 per semester and that’s N500,000 per session.
But will that be enough?
Sufficient.
The average school fees in government-owned schools in Nigeria is N150,000 per session depending on the student’s faculty.
If a student pays N150,000 as school fees out of N500,000, the applicant still has N350,000 to take care of other bills such as accommodation, books, and upkeep.
Are Private School Students Eligible for Student Loans in Nigeria?
The answer is No. Only students in government-owned higher institutions are eligible.
When explaining why private school students are not allowed, the Chairman of the House of Representatives, Committee on Students’ Loans said if anyone sends his children to a private institution, then the need for a loan is minimal.
He further stressed that the school fees that one student in a private university pays, will cater to many students in public school.
How is the Government Planning to Fund the Student Loan in Nigeria?
The student loan funding will be from 1% of revenue entering the Federation account.
And how big is the one percent?
In 2023, a total of N12.37 Trillion was generated as revenue. One percent of that is N123.7B which is over $90m per year.
Note that this figure is not current but just to know how much the Nigerian government plans to spend on Student loans.
Have you ever heard of the Branch loan app? If you need instant loans in Nigeria, it’s currently one of the fastest and most reliable loan platforms you can patronize.
Financial emergency arises and when it does, we tend to look for a way to solve it before it gets worse. One of the solutions we sought is instant loan apps but unfortunately, a lot of these apps are not there to help you but to add to your problem.
Recently, the federal government of Nigeria banned a lot of loan apps in Nigeria because they not only squeeze every penny out of their victims with their interest rate, but they can go as far as embarrassing their customers publicly.
These loan apps are called loan sharks. We have a lot of them, but the Branch loan app is different. The experience and public review are different from others and why is that?
Why Branch Loan App?
With over 10M downloads and an average of 4.5/5 ratings on Google PlayStore, the Branch loan app can be dubbed one of the best in Nigeria and we have just a few of them that are trusted and reliable.
The Central Bank of Nigeria licenses Branch Loan Apps, this means the Branch is legally authorized to operate in the country, and before that could ever happen, the app must have been vetted in many ways.
Speaking of why people choose Branch and why you may consider it too, the benefits are summarised below:
Light-weight mobile app
Swift onboarding process (You can register and get your first loan in a few minutes)
No collateral
You can choose to pay back in two months or within a month
The branch will not ask to access your contact
No Branch Loan app’s agent will ever call you or your close friends and family
How to Access Instant Loan on Branch Loan App
As said earlier, the process is fast, to make it faster, you should ensure you have all the details needed to complete your registration.
But beware of downloading the app from anywhere online as that may land you into hot soup.
Step 2: Register
Once you have the app downloaded on your phone, open it and start the registration process.
PS: If you sign up with this refer code: “stephe6690b”, you stand a chance to earn N2,000 cash back when you repay your first loan.
You will need your phone number. Once you enter your number, a one-time password (OTP) will be sent to you as a text message, enter the OTP correctly to verify your number.
Then proceed to set a PIN, this will be required every time you want to log in or perform a transaction.
Once you’ve done that, ensure you complete the onboarding process such as submitting your BVN and identity document.
And you’re done!
Step 3: Request for a loan
The good news is that you don’t need to wait for 3 days or a week before you can request a loan on the Branch app. You can register today and get a loan today.
The verification process has been automated.
To request a loan, in your app, click “Apply Now”.
You will be required to allow permission to capture your face for further verification, allow it and capture your face.
Note that the face must match with the picture on your NIN or BVN data otherwise, the system will automatically reject it.
If the face matches, congratulations the app will direct you to where you can ask for a loan.
As a first-time user of the Branch Loan app, the maximum cash you can get is N12,000.
If you pay it back on time, the threshold will be increased… the more you borrow and pay back, the more you will be eligible to borrow.
As simple as that!
PS: If you sign up with this refer code: “stephe6690b”, you stand a chance to earn N2,000 cash back.
Once the loan has been disbursed to your branch wallet, you can transfer it to any bank account.
How to Pay Back Loan on the Branch App
Paying back your loan on the Branch app is as easy as when you took the loan.
The first step is to log in to your app, click on “Add Fund”, and account details will be shown to you (it’s your personal Branch account details).
Copy the account number and send money to it from any app or any medium.
Once the money lands in your Branch wallet, you can then use it to pay back your loan by clicking on the same button you clicked to get a loan but this time, it will redirect you to the loan repayment screen.
Other Cool Features on Branch Loan App
Aside from taking out a loan, you can use the Branch app just like your neo-banking apps like Kuda Bank. With the Branch loan app, you can also:
If you want a Branch loan app ATM card, it costs N1,000 and the delivery fee ranges from N1,500 to N2,500 depending on your location.
Why you may not Like Branch Loan App
You will struggle to download the app unless you’re lucky for the issue to have been resolved when you want to download it.
Some claim that the interest rate is high. The interest rate ranges from 17% to 40%. If you pay back your loan as early as possible, you will have a good credit history and low interest rate to pay but if you are unable to pay early, your next loan will suffer the consequence with a slightly higher interest rate.
The investment returns on the app are low. For instance, if you borrow N30,000 for instance on the app, you will have to pay back N39,000. But if you save the same N30,000 in their investment plan, you will not earn up to N500 at the end of the month as returns.
Poor customer service. Although the app is fast and great you may not need to contact Customer support but if there is a reason you need to, you will struggle to get any support from them.
Verdict on the Branch Loan App
The Branch Loan app is legit and reliable. The issue only you might encounter is how to get the app downloaded and once that is resolved, you should be good.
Note that to avoid high interest rates, always pay your loan early and that will also help you build a good credit history on the app. Don’t forget that you can use the same app for other banking functions such as savings, sending and receiving, investing, buying data, and airtime.
Do you want to learn a tech skill but don’t know the best place or platform to learn it from? Introducing AltSchool Africa, one of the best and most reliable platforms to learn digital skills in Nigeria and other African countries.
Tech is the new oil, but unlike the actual crude oil and other mineral resources that are by default owned and controlled by the government (in Nigeria), Tech is different. You can learn any digital skill in Nigeria and make a lot of money without taking any permission from anyone.
The journey is not as smooth as it sounds. It takes some people 2-3 years to learn before making their first dollar online. Some have to give up because the whole process of acquiring a tech skill feels daunting while some people are very interested but don’t know a tech skill to learn and where to learn it.
If you are interested in learning a tech skill, AltSchool Africa will help you and you will learn “how” in this blog post.
About AltSchool Africa
AltSchool Africa is one of the best platforms to acquire a digital skill in Nigeria and some African countries. It was founded in 2021 by Adewale Yusuf, Akintunde Sultan, and Opeyemi Awoyemi of Jobberman.com to offer effective tech skill training in Nigeria and other countries.
You might wonder Why AltSchool Africa is one of the best tech skill learning platforms in Nigeria. Let’s talk about that.
Why Should I Choose AltSchool Africa?
One of the major reasons why people choose AltSchool Africa is that you get a diploma certificate once you complete any one-year program from one of its schools.
AltSchool Africa also offers affordable and flexible pricing plans and with over 50 courses taught by professionals in their respective industries, 5 different schools that cover different programs, and 60,000 students who have successfully graduated from the school from over 100 countries, AltSchool Africa is your one-stop platform to learn tech skills in Nigeria.
The tech school runs virtually and it’s open to everyone whether you are a student or someone working 9-5.
Another interesting reason why AltSchool Africa is one of the best is that you are not just paying to learn a tech skill, they care about your growth, they will help you secure a (mostly paid) internship with companies where you can put what you have learned into use and start building your professional career.
Student Review on AltSchool Africa
Not only that, they are there to help you from the first day you decide to Kickstart your tech career with them till you graduate and secure your first job.
How Much Does It Cost to Learn a Tech Skill at AltSchool Africa?
The Application fee is $10 or N14,000
The tuition fee of AltSchool Africa is straightforward, “learn $1 per day”. Meaning it costs $30 per month and $290 per year.
To get the certificate, you will pay $100.
To sum everything up, AltSchool Africa costs $410 to learn a tech skill for 9 months with a guaranteed internship of 3 months.
Is the $410 fee to learn a tech skill at AltSchool Africa worth it?
Yes, it does if you can be bold enough to make such an Investment in your future.
AltSchool Africa offers a world-class learning experience, 9 months of training, 3 months of internship, friendly program managers you can talk to, tutors who are always ready to answer your questions and guide you, and flexible payment options.
If you can’t afford $410, you can enroll in some programs that cost only $100 and run in a few weeks.
Pro tip: Look out for scholarship options on AltSchool Africa because celebrities, companies, and generous individuals occasionally pay up to 30% of student school fees. Some can even pay 100% if you’re lucky, all you have to do is pay the Application fee of N14,000 or $10 and pass the entrance test.
Scholarship section on AltSchool Africa LMS
Let’s talk about what you can learn at AltSchool Africa.
Tech Skills You Can Learn at AltSchool Africa
AltSchool Africa has 5 different schools, under each school, you can pick a track you are interested in.
The school and career paths are:
School of Engineering
Under AltSchool Africa’s School of Engineering, you can choose to learn how to become a software engineer focusing on either:
Frontend Engineer
Cloud Engineering
Backend Engineering.
If you ever want to become a web developer, this school is for you.
School of Product
In this school, you can learn:
Product Design
Product Marketing
Product Management
These career paths may seem too new to you, but below is a brief explanation.
You have probably seen different websites and mobile apps before or at least you’re reading this on a blog (a typical website).
The beautiful structure, layout, typography, color combination, use of images, and anything you see on mobile apps and websites are designed by some people called “Product designers”.
Product Managers are like supervisors who ensure every member of the team gets their tasks done and finally, ensure the product (can be a website or app) is delivered before the deadline.
Product Marketers bridge the gap between a product and customers on how to sell the product.
If you are good with design and want to embark on it fully as a career, then AltSchool Africa’s School of Design is for you.
School of Data
Today’s world is not only powered by electricity but also by data. Data helps companies, small, medium, or big to make the right decision, target the right customers, and increase their profitability.
At AltSchool Africa’s School of Data, you can learn to become a
Data Analyst
Data Scientist
Data Engineer.
If you want to embark on a career in AI/ML (artificial intelligence or machine learning), starting as a data scientist will help.
School of Creative Economy
Two programs you can learn at this school are:
Navigating the music business
Content Creation
You already know that music is a lucrative business and the challenges of becoming a paid musician. If you want to become a good music artist, check out this school.
Content creation is a tech skill in Nigeria that some people discover and their lives are transformed.
Speaking of content creation, you are familiar with tech content creators like Fola Fosudo, KeganTech, etc., or if you want to go into the entertainment part, you probably know the likes of MrMacaroni, Bro Shaggi, KieKie, etc.
These people are making a lot of money from content creation. And if you would like to become a profitable content creator in Nigeria but don’t know how to get started, AltSchool Africa’s School of Content Creation is for you.
School of Business
You may not like any of the schools mentioned above because you like sales, or want to learn how to increase your business visibility online, and convert leads to paying customers, this school will help you.
AltSchool Africa’s School of Business offers two programs, one to teach you
How to prospect a client and close the deal, the other one is
Digital marketing.
They also have courses you can take in a few weeks such as Mobile Content Mastery taught by Mr Macaroni, KieKie, Aproko Doctor, and other professional tutors.
When writing this content, these are the schools and career paths available at AltSchool Africa. Kindly check their website for updated information.
How to Start Learning a Tech Skill in Nigeria with AltSchool Africa
Learning tech skills with AltSchool Africa is in 3 processes aligned below:
To apply for any of AltSchool Africa’s programs, you have to do it online and kindly note that the application fee is a non-refundable amount of N14,000 or $10.
To register, click here and fill in your details correctly.
You can pay with your card or bank transfer.
Assessment Process
After your application fee has been confirmed, you’ll be sent some materials you can study for your entrance assessment. The materials are an introduction to computer science (basic information) and an introduction to the program you are applying to.
Note that these materials will be in your LMS (learning management system) account which you’ll be provided alongside the date for your assessment after your application has been confirmed.
Study Kit Session on AltSchool Africa LMS
Watch the videos and try to understand the concept.
Quick advice, you can use Chat GPT as your study partner.
Sit for the online assessment (and pass it).
Learning Process
If you pass your assessment successfully, you’ll be admitted into the school you applied for and that begins your learning journey for the next 9 months!
Other things to Know about AltSchool Africa
The communication channel is Slack
The learning method is via videos and online classes with tutors
Frequent meetings with your program manager for updates, tips, and information
Career talk by professionals in the industry to help you endure the learning process
Networking with people
Fully remote and virtual
Training duration is 9 months and 3 months for internship
No record of a scam
If you have any questions regarding AltSchool Africa, you can check their website for contact information or ask your questions on Twitter and tag @HackSultan (one of the founders).
If you have questions about a specific digital skill, feel free to drop it in the comment box below.
If you have ever wondered how to get a Moniepoint POS terminal to collect payments in your shop or want to use it to start a business as a POS vendor, this guide is for you.
In the world today, a lot of people are increasingly seeking cashless payment options and a viable way to avoid staying in long queues at the bank just to make cash withdrawals. This is where Point-of-Sale (POS) systems come in. POS terminals offer a convenient and secure way to process transactions.
If you’re looking for the best POS terminal provider in Nigeria, think of Moniepoint!
In case this is your first time getting to know Moniepoint, let me tell you more about it
What is Moniepoint?
Moniepoint (formerly TeamApt), is a leading fintech fintech company in Nigeria founded by Tosin Eniolorunda to make banking transactions very fast and convenient for customers.
Emphasis on “very fast” because that’s why Moniepoint is currently one of the leading banking agencies in Nigeria. They boost of 99.9% success rate!
Why Choose Moniepoint?
There are several reasons why Moniepoint stands out as a preferred POS provider:
Extensive Network
This extensive network proves a point — Moniepoint services work and people love to use Moniepoint.
If you survey 10 shops or businesses that take card payments, you’ll be surprised that more than 7 of them have a Moniepoint POS terminal. Maybe that’s an exaggeration, but Moniepoint has over 2 million businesses on its platform.
Moniepoint boasts a reliable and widespread network, ensuring seamless transactions for your customers.
Competitive Fees
Their transaction fees are competitive within the market, allowing you to maximize your profits.
Currently, Moniepoint charges N6 to N20 per transaction. Then 0.5% fee for transactions up to N20,000 and if the transaction is more than N20,000, Moniepoint charges a flat rate of N100.
This is by far one of the best deals out there.
Variety of Services
Moniepoint POS goes beyond just payments. It enables features like airtime purchases, bill payments, and cash withdrawals, making your business a one-stop shop for various financial needs.
Previously, Moniepoint used to be only for businesses, but recently they launched Personal Banking for individuals (just like Kuda Bank).
Excellent Customer Support
Moniepoint offers dependable customer support to assist you with any questions or concerns.
Other valid reasons why Moniepoint is a good choice include:
Faster transactions
Long-lasting battery
And highly secured.
Both Touchscreen and buttons are enabled for your convenience.
Becoming a Moniepoint POS Vendor or customer.
Are you ready to acquire a reliable POS terminal for your business or embark on a smooth journey as a Moniepoint POS vendor? Here’s a breakdown of the process.
Eligibility Requirements to Become a Moniepoint POS Vendor
While Moniepoint doesn’t publicly list specific eligibility requirements, it’s generally recommended to have a registered business with a good location and a valid form of identification.
If you’ll be using the POS terminal as a POS agent, you must of course have the capital to start your new business.
Other important requirements are:
A Moniepoint Business account
Your Bank verification number (BVM)
Utility Bill like electricity bill etc.
Access to Internet
Another question you may want to ask is this:
How much does it cost to get a Moniepoint POS Machine?
It will cost N21,500 to get a Moniepoint POS Machine and you’ll get it within 48 hours depending on your location.
Note that you’re not buying the POS terminal, your N21,500 covers:
Activation fee of N10,000
Caution fee of N10,000
Insurance fee of N1,500
You probably have some questions, we’ll attend to some Frequently Asked Questions soon. But now, let’s talk about the registration process:
How to Get a Moniepoint POS Terminal in Nigeria.
Step 1: Get a Moniepoint Business Account
This is your first passport to get the POS machine, if you have an account before, simply go to https://moniepoint.com/ng/business and click on “Open an account”.
You’ll be prompted to download the Moniepoint Business app Google PlayStore or App Store, download it, then you can continue with the registration process.
Kindly ensure you complete the onboarding process such as giving them more details about you, your business, etc.
Step 2: Request for a POS Terminal
Once you’ve completed the onboarding process, log in to your account.
Fund your Moniepoint Business account with ₦21,500. I’ll recommend you fund up to ₦25,000 at least.
If you have multiple Business accounts, you will have to choose the one you need a POS machine for, by clicking on “Manage Business”
Look for “Channels”, under it, you will see “POS”, “WEB” etc., click on POS.
A new page will appear showing a video on the Moniepoint POS terminal, but right about the video, you’ll see a button that says “Request New POS”, click it.
Step 3: Fill in the Delivery Address
You can choose the address you used for your business account as the delivery address and if you’re not in the same address, you can manually fill in the address where the POS terminal should be delivered.
If you have not funded your account with that N21,500, you should do it at this stage.
Step 4: Make Payment and Collect the Machine
If you have funded your account, all you need to do is to click on the proceed or continue button.
Moniepoint will deduct the N21,500 and you’ll be redirected to the summary page that will tell you the estimated time to receive your POS terminal.
You will also receive a code as an SMS, this code will be requested by the logistics partner that wants to deliver the terminal to you. The essence is to ensure the POS terminal gets to the right person.
Moniepoint promises that you’ll get your terminal within 48 hours, that’s 2 days. So ensure you’re available within this time.
Also, ensure the phone number registered on your account is available because the person delivering the package to you will contact you via phone call.
Congratulations, you finally have a Monepoint POS Machine. But there’s one more step to go and it’s essential.
Step 5: Activate Your Moniepoint POS Machine
Once you receive your POS terminal, you need to get it working by activating it. In the package received, you’ll see the activation code there or a bar code that you can scan.
Now let’s talk about a few questions frequently asked on Moniepoint POS.
How much does it cost to get a Monepoint POS Machine?
It cost N21,500 but you’re not buying the Moniepoint POS terminal but instead subtly renting it. If the terminal is for sale, it would have cost more than N21,500.
What does the N21,500 payment for Moniepoint POS cover?
It covers the activation fee (N10,000), caution fee (N10,000), and insurance fee (N1,500).
You know what insurance means — To cover up for your device maintenance and maybe damages.
The N10,000 caution fee will be returned to you if you return the Moniepoint POS Machine in good health. Think of it as a caution fee you pay when you want to rent an apartment.
Is there any target to meet up if I have Moniepoint POS?
Oh yes. According to the revised blog post by Moniepoint (February, 2024), an healthy terminal should process at least N80,000 per day, otherwise, your account will be considered underperforming. So ensure you are ready to use it!
What If I need help with my business account or POS terminal?
Moniepoint will appoint a dedicated Relationship Manager to you, who will help you in every area you need assistance.
And you can also contact Moniepoint via support(at)moniepoint.com
Can I get more than one POS Machine from Moniepoint?
Yes! Just like you can have multiple business accounts on Moniepoint, you can also have multiple POS terminals.
That’s all about getting a Moniepoint POS Terminal.
Becoming a Moniepoint POS vendor or getting a POS Terminal for your Business can be a rewarding venture. With its reliable network, competitive fees, and diverse services, Moniepoint empowers you to offer your customers a convenient and secure way to manage their finances.
Visit the Moniepoint website or contact customer care support if you need any further information on this topic.
A total of 69 OAU students were arrested by the EFCC on Wednesday, 1st of November, 2023 but the students were released in Less than 12 hours, thanks to the full support of Nigerians especially the tech communities, the Student Union of Government (SUG) in OAU and different student bodies in the country.
Info: EFCC says the students are 69 but the OAU’s student union president, Abass Ojo (LordFem) confirmed to the News Agency of Nigeria that the students were not 69 but 72 which includes girls and freshers too.
The Economic Financial Crime Commission, EFCC is a Nigerian government agency empowered to investigate all financial crimes in Nigeria which includes fraud and any kind of scam.
Although EFCC is an important agency in the country, they’ve tried so hard to lose the support of average Nigerians simply because they either turn blind eyes to the actual ‘culprits’ and make the innocents look like the culprits OR they sometimes go too far in performing their duties.
The Unjustly Arrest by EFCC at Oduduwa Estate, Ile-Ife
The recent issue that happened to the 69 students of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU in Ile-Ife, Osun State Nigeria proved the two reasons right.
According to the report on The PUNCH, the Zonal Command of the agency in Ibadan stormed Finetouch and Superb hostels in Oduduwa Estate, Ile-Ife in Osun state to arrest the students between 1:40 am and 4:00 am and drove them to Ibadan in Oyo state.
The arrested OAU students
Immediately, the news has gone viral on social media (Twitter) and different WhatsApp groups. The common question Nigerians were asking is what’s the offense of these 69 students that they deserved to be unjustly arrested?
The subtle response from the EFCC as posted on their official Facebook page is that the ‘69’ OAU Students are suspected “internet fraudsters in Ile-Ife”.
And that begs the question:
What qualifies someone as a suspected internet fraudster in Nigeria?
You are a suspected internet fraudster in Nigeria when you are young and you can afford ‘expensive’ things like an iPhone, a car, a laptop or you have dreadlocks. This is why these 69 students were shipped in the middle of the night like commodities from one state to another.
Not trying to be cynical, but how is it possible and logical that all the students living in a hostel are internet fraudsters? If EFCC had arrested a few selected students from the two hostels maybe there Nigerians could have been silent on the issue to allow an ‘investigation’ to vindicate the arrested students.
Some of the students arrested are freelance software developers while some have a ‘legit’ business that foots their bills. In fact, one of the students is Kolawole Alao who was identified by a Facebook user, and checking Kolawole Alao’s profile speaks to everything totally different from an internet scam.
Before his ‘unjustly’ arrest, Kolawole Alao, a Product and Industrial designer (who freelance on Upwork and Fiverr), who is also studying Mechanical Engineering had won a competition with this team at the University project exhibition for the Digital Nigeria Day (DND), hosted by the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Osun state on 23rd & 24th of October, 2023!
Many of the arrested students are intellectual, smart, and hardworking students but instead of being given an accolade, they were dubbed internet fraudsters.
Immediately after the news of the arrest went out, the student bodies in OAU and some students journeyed down to Ibadan to stand with their fellow students, protesting for their immediate release at the EFCC zonal command office in Ibadan.
While that was happening, Nigerians took to social media (TWITTER and Facebook) to call the attention of everyone to what was happening, with the trending hashtag #FreeOAUstudents tagging prominent people and demanding that the students be released immediately.
OAU students protesting at EFCC’s Zonal Office
A few of the powerful people who voice their concern in response to what Nigerians want is the Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke said he’s working with the school authorities on their release. The Minister of Communication, Dr. Bosun Tijani also said he’s working towards the same effect with some people too.
With the strong protest on social media, the EFCC had no option but to start releasing the students. The People Gazette reported that EFCC released 58 of the students shortly after 9 p.m. on the same day and 11 others to be released thereafter.
EFCC Bans Sting Operations at Night
The public pressure to release the unjustly arrested 69 OAU students not only yielded good results in having the students released, but it also marked a huge milestone in the history of the Anti-graft Agency.
In reaction to the arrest, the chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukayode immediately sent out a directive on Wednesday (November 1, 2023) in Abuja that sting operations at Night to be stopped in all the EFCC’s command in the country, not just in Ibadan or Ile-Ife.
While we are waiting for the release of other students, Nigerians have once again shown the power of solidarity.
Concluding Summary
The recent incident involving the arrest and subsequent release of 69 students from Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, in Ile-Ife, Osun State, sheds light on the power of public pressure and solidarity in Nigeria. The swift response from student bodies, concerned citizens, and influential figures on social media, under the hashtag #FreeOAUstudents, played a pivotal role in securing the students’ freedom.
This episode not only brought to the forefront the challenges surrounding the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) but also led to a significant development. The chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukayode, issued a directive to stop nighttime sting operations in all EFCC commands across the country, acknowledging the need to address concerns and uphold justice.
The incident underscores the importance of transparency, accountability, and the engagement of various stakeholders in shaping the actions of law enforcement agencies. As Nigeria moves forward, it is imperative that such incidents lead to constructive dialogue, policy improvements, and an environment where citizens and authorities can work together for the common goal of a just and secure society. In doing so, the nation can ensure that the rights and dignity of all its citizens are protected.
Without mincing a word, Piggyvest is the most popular savings app in Nigeria at the time of writing this, I believe you have come across it in one way or another. Personally, I’ve been using the platform for more than 5 years and the question is still there.
I was very excited to see the fine design when I updated the app on my phone, little did I know that being beautiful comes with a price. My phone keeps warning me about the app whenever I open it for just a few minutes.
As a software developer myself, I know there can’t be perfect software without bugs but it becomes a problem when the bugs aren’t fixed as soon as possible, especially if it involves financial transactions.
If you don’t care about slow or hanging mobile apps, then Piggyvest may be for you.
Withdrawal and Breaking Penalty
Believe me, this would have been the best reason why Piggyvest is the ideal savings app for you. But there’s a problem.
Piggyvest lets you withdraw your money without any penalty once after every 3 months. If you missed withdrawing your money on the “free withdrawal day“, you have to wait until after 3 months, which to me is not that okay. At least Piggyvest gives a 3-day grace for free withdrawal.
That doesn’t mean you can’t withdraw your money anytime, you can and it’s a great opportunity for Piggyvest to make money if you choose to withdraw when it’s not your free withdrawal day.
Let’s say you need the money urgently because unforeseen circumstances happen at a time, Piggyvest can release the money for you but you’ll be charged 2.5% of the money as a breaking fee.
I am not saying there shouldn’t be a penalty for breaking your savings when it’s not the withdrawal day, but common, 2.5% is too much just to “promote savings culture” according to Piggyvest.
If you don’t know how high 2.5 percent is, here is an example.
Let’s say you have saved about N5m and you suddenly need the money to sort out some bills, Piggyvest will remove N125,000 and give you N4,875,000.
If you do your calculation at the end of the day, you might realize that the breaking fee is higher than all the interest you’ve earned on the platform.
For instance, I earned about N1,800 on my N200k savings for 2 months, that’s N3,600+. But the breaking fee is N5,000
This same mathematics works for N1m, N20m, or higher.
If you think the one-day per every 3 months and 2.5% breaking fee is not an issue, Piggyvest is okay for you.
Customer Support
Before patronizing any institution, first of all, check the efforts put into its customer care and support because if the institution doesn’t care about you as a customer, then you will have an extremely bad experience using its product or service.
Let’s give it up for Piggyvest, the company has exceptional customer support put into place. The customer support reps are always available to help. I messaged them in the night around 8 pm and I got responses from them, even on non-working days.
This for me, is a green flag and I hope it continues that way.
That being said, the best way to contact Piggyvest is through their verified Twitter/X handle. Email can be slow especially if your matter is urgent. They have a phone number you can call too.
If good customer support is what you are looking for before picking a savings app, Piggyvest is very good there.
Flexible Account Management
Every app that I have been using, gives you control over your account whilst ensuring the account is safe.
For example, I can log in to my GT bank online and change my email, phone number, etc., and verify with a hardware token that I’m the one making those changes.
For some fintech apps, you can do some bare minimum things like that but Piggyvest says no.
If you want to do anything like changing phone numbers or withdrawing bank details, you have to contact Piggyvest.
I mean, that’s to foster security right? But it’s very unnecessary. They can request OTP, email approval, ID verification, or any other automated means to ensure you do what you want to as soon as possible.
I also realized you cannot deactivate or close your account too, unless you contact them. These are very basic features on some fintech apps.
But this shouldn’t be a problem since Piggyvest has a very fast response rate. The next problem you will be facing is trying to verify that the account belongs to you
But what if it’s in case of an emergency? You have to wait until they reply to you.
And be ready to go an extra length to prove it’s your account. Your BVN or ID verification won’t be enough, if you have deposited from any bank account that’s not registered in your Piggyvest account, be ready to provide the bank statement of that deposit otherwise, they won’t rectify anything for you.
To me, it’s no longer a security measure but a hindrance. Even after verifying my details, they still asked me to send them the bank statement of the deposit I made via POS. To date, they haven’t rectified it.
You may need to thoroughly consider this before opting for Piggyvest as your savings platform.
Security: Is Piggyvest a scam or legit?
In short, Piggyvest is legit.
Piggyvest has been in business actively since 2019 although they started Piggybank.ng in 2016 as a save-only platform. That’s a combined 7 Years and the company is still operational to date.
They have secured all forms of security certification as a Fund manager in Nigeria.
While doing my research about scam scandals on Piggyvest, I saw 2 reports.
This report by RipplesNigeria says hackers stole over N2.3m from Piggyvest but there’s no further report if this has been fixed or not.
But what I know is that the security is now tighter and that it becomes annoying to me… every second, you have to use the entire pin to verify you’re the one using the app.
There is another rumor that a fake money lender company, Bamise ImagineLenders scammed Piggyvest N2billion but according to Nairametrics, Piggyvest debunked the rumor and assured the public that their funds are safe.
Aside from these two, there’s no scam or fraud report on Piggyvest. In 7 years of doing business, this is a great achievement.
If security is your concern, you have no worries with Piggyvest.
Your decision: Is Piggyvest the right savings app for you?
Although Piggyvest might have some disadvantages such as the withdrawal policy, breaking penalties, and bugs in the apps, the overall experience is good.
Human beings grow, and so do the way we approach problems. I hope Piggyvest will work on these few issues soon so that they can have the throne for a very long time.
As the world has become a global village with the internet, borders are no longer barriers to shopping, especially in African countries. Heroshe continues to defy the odds with her seamless shopping experience on the continent.
The first time I used Heroshe to ship some items from the USA to my place here in Nigeria, I became an unofficial ambassador of the company. Not just me, a lot of people are giving the company great reviews too.
Previously, Heroshe only shipped from the USA to Nigeria, but the good news now is that Heroshe has started facilitating shipments from the UK to Nigeria and Ghana.
What does this new update mean?
You now have more choices to buy a range of products from any store in the UK or USA and get it to your place in Nigeria or Ghana.
For instance, if you want to buy anything gadgets or appliances, you know that USA online stores like Amazon, eBay, BestBuy, etc. are there for you.
The UK is known for luxury brands for fashion and apparel ranging from classic tailoring on London’s Savile Row to trendy streetwear from brands like Topshop. Or maybe footwear from brands like Clarks and Dr. Martens. Or stylish and eclectic home decor items from classic homeware at John Lewis to contemporary designs at Habitat.
This new update from Heroshe really opens the door to a broader range of products!
How to Ship Items from the UK Using Heroshe
Just like shipping from the US, the process remains simple and efficient, ensuring that shopping across from the UK stores to Nigeria and Ghana is a hassle-free experience.
Here’s how to start;
Sign Up or Log In
If this is your first time hearing about Heroshe, you will need to create an account before you can do anything.
If you click here to sign up, you’ll be given $2 in your Heroshe wallet, I will also earn the same for inviting you (Note that this is not compulsory).
If you’re an existing user, simply login to your account.
Get Your UK Address
You don’t need to do or pay for anything, once you sign up successfully, login to your account, and your personalized UK address will be waiting for you.
You can use this address on any store you’re shopping from, as the personalized address acts as a local point of contact between you and the store vendor.
Once the vendor sends the item(s) to your UK address, Heroshe will take over the rest.
Start Shopping
Go to any UK store of your choice, go to the settings tab, and change your location or address to this personalized UK address given to you by Heroshe.
(Note that you don’t need a VPN while you’re exploring items on the UK stores, in fact, don’t use a VPN at all as the online stores may detect it and your account may be banned.)
Once you change the address on the store to your UK address, start browsing for items, add items to your cart, and proceed to checkout.
Delivery to Your UK Address
Once you are done paying for the items, the online store will send your package to the UK address you added.
And Heroshe will immediately notify you once they receive your items.
From there, you can start tracking the day you’ll receive the items in Nigeria or Ghana.
Get your items in Nigeria or Ghana
After 14 days the items get to your UK address, and Heroshe will send them to your country.
Note that you will need to use PayPal to top up your Heroshe wallet so that you can pay the shipping fee. If you don’t have one, watch this YouTube video for a guide to create one for free.
If you’re in Nigeria, your items will land in Lagos, if you’re in Ghana, they will send the item to your house directly.
You can then go to the Lagos warehouse and pick up your item free of charge.
But if you’re not in Lagos, don’t worry, Heroshe is not leaving you yet, until you get and confirm the item(s). At this junction, you can ask Heroshe to ship the items down to your city but you’ll pay a small fee of course.
In my own case, I live in Osun State, here in Nigeria and Heroshe sent the item to me via a logistics company, not even a public bus.
So either you go to the Lagos warehouse to pick up your item for free, or you pay a small fee to have it delivered to your city. Either way, Heroshe promises you will get your items.
Shipping from the UK to Nigeria or Ghana is as simple as that.
But there’s a problem.
Not with Heroshe but with Nigeria and/or Ghana. Most of the time, it is very difficult to pay for items in foreign stores.
You did nothing wrong but your card will be declined because of where you’re coming from.
That’s a really big problem.
We thought virtual dollar card providers were here to help but they all turned out to be something we’d never expect.
Don’t give up, Heroshe can still help you.
Aside from shipping, Heroshe also offers “Buy for Me” services.
What is Heroshe’s Buy for Me?
Image Credit: Heroshe.com
Picture the Heroshe’s Buy for Me as someone you send to the market to help you buy groceries.
You give an item of what you want to buy to the person, you give the person the money to buy the items and also, you pay for his time and transport.
All you have to do is to expect the person to hand over the groceries to you.
That makes sense right?
Heroshe can become your shopper, all you need to do is to contact them that you would like to use their Buy for Me services and the customer care rep will take it up with you.
UPDATE: I contacted Heroshe support a few hours ago and I learned that the buy-for-me service is currently on hold, so depending on when you are reading this, kindly contact the support if the service is available.
What you need to know about Heroshe’s Buy for Me services
Heroshe will not recommend or scout for items, you will send them links to your preferred items and they’ll buy them for you.
Heroshe’s Buy for Me services cost an additional 20%. E.g if the item you’re buying is $200, you’ll be paying $240 in total or its equivalent in your local currency.
Paying the 20% additional fee doesn’t mean you’ll not pay for shipping, you’ll still pay for shipping.
And that takes us to the next big question;
How much does Heroshe charge for shipping items from the UK?
Heroshe charges $8 per lb or pound to ship from the UK down to Lagos in Nigeria where you can go pick it up for free.
If you cannot go to the Lagos pickup station for your items, Heroshe will charge you an additional $15 to send the item to your house in Lagos.
If you’re outside Lagos, Heroshe charges an additional $20 to get the item to your city.
Heroshe doesn’t have a pickup station in Ghana for now, so the cost to get your item from the UK to your house in Ghana is $18 per lb or pound.
It is also worth noting that Heroshe would round up any float to a whole number.
For instance, if the weight of the item you want to ship is 10.5, heroshe will round it up to 11. If it’s 2.5, it’ll become 3.
What’s the breakdown to ship from the UK to Nigeria or Ghana?
The breakdown to ship your items from the UK to Nigeria or Ghana with Heroshe (Let’s assume the weight is 4.5 lbs) will look like this:
If you’re shipping to Ghana
Cost of item —- $200
Buy for me —- $40
Ship to Ghana – $90 (5 x 18)
Total —– $330
So you’ll be paying Heroshe a total cost of $330 and if you can pay for the item yourself, remove the Buy for Me, you’ll now be paying $290.
If you’re shipping to Nigeria
Cost of item ——- $200
Buy for Me ——- $40
Ship to Lagos —- $40 (5 x 8)
Total —— $280
If you can pay for the item yourself, you’ll be paying $240 to Heroshe. If you want to get the item in your house in Lagos, you’ll be paying an additional $15. If you’re outside Lagos, you’ll pay an additional $20.
If you want to pay yourself, you might consider using reliable card providers. For instance, Chipper Cash works for me
Start shopping beyond borders with Heroshe!
Heroshe’s expansion to support shipping from the UK to Nigeria and Ghana marks a significant stride towards creating a truly global shopping experience.
With its user-friendly platform, cost-saving features, and commitment to customer satisfaction, Heroshe continues to be a frontrunner in transforming international shopping into a seamless, accessible, and exciting endeavor. Say goodbye to borders and hello to a world of shopping possibilities with Heroshe.
This update not only reflects Heroshe’s commitment to customer satisfaction but also its dedication to staying at the forefront of international shopping trends.
As the world of e-commerce continues to evolve, Heroshe remains a reliable companion for shoppers seeking the best of both local and global markets.
Getting a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) in Nigeria is very simple, fast, and free of charge. I’ll be showing you how to get one for yourself or your business.
But before then, Why do you need TIN?
Taxpayer Identification Number (or “TIN”) is simply a number attached to you or your business that keeps track of your tax history.
it is an important number that every individual and business must have because it is your responsibility as a citizen of a country or a business in that country to pay Tax to the government.
Recently, a popular Nollywood actress, Iyabo Ojo was given a 7-day ultimatum to pay her ₦18m tax bill or she’ll be probed.
I was trying to create an Upwork account last week and I was asked to drop my TIN before I can fully utilize Upwork’s services.
Aside from paying Taxes, you need a TIN if you want to open a corporate bank account for your business or company.
And depending on what you need from Banks or any institution such as a loan or grant, they may require your TIN.
If you’re a freelancer or someone trying to apply for a job abroad, your TIN may be compulsory before you’re considered.
So let me show you how to get Personal and Business TIN in Nigeria starting with personal first;
How to Get Personal TIN in Nigeria
You can decide to visit the local FIRS in your city or local government to apply manually or you do it online.
If you want to do it online yourself, continue reading.
Step 2: Fill in all the details and hit the search button.
Note: The reason why you’re searching is that it is very possible that a TIN has been automatically created for you.
Step 3: If no record is found, proceed to submit a request by filling in the next form
Step 4: Once you submit a request, you’ll receive a confirmation email that your request has been processed.
Here is what it looks like:
Note: Your request ID should be hidden from any other person.
Now you’re asked to wait while your request is processed.
Now the question is how long will it take to get your TIN?
The answer is within a week.
I got mine in just 5 days (weekends included).
That’s how the email with your TIN will look like.
Now, let’s talk about non-individual taxpayer numbers.
How to get Non-individual TIN for your business, company, or startup in Nigeria
Just like we did individual TIN, the same approach is applicable here.
But let’s talk about the requirements.
Requirements to Get Non-individual TIN in Nigeria
Your CAC registration details
That simply means you must have registered your business, startup, or company with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
If you haven’t, read this guide on how to register your business in Nigeria. For a company or startup, you should use the service of a lawyer.
Note: TIN is always registered for your business or company automatically upon registering with CAC. So you may not need to create TIN as a standalone.
But if there’s a reason TIN is not created for you, proceed to do it yourself.
A: Go to the link above, once you verify, a button to download the certificate.
That’s How to Getting a TIN in Nigeria
If you have any further questions about Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TIN) in Nigeria, kindly consult the local FIRS office in your local government.
Or contact the Joint Tax Board below
Now you don’t have any problem getting a TIN in Nigeria. You’re welcome.
Chipper Cash vs PayDay – Who do you think will win?
I know that you have heard about these two platforms before now and might have used one or two of them. In this head-to-head review, we will compare the two famous dollar and virtual card providers, Chipper Cash and PayDay, to help you determine which one is better suited for your needs.
We will examine various aspects such as usability, fees, features, and customer support to provide you with a comprehensive analysis.
Kindly note that this is just a blog post from my personal experience and what I see on social media, not sponsored content by any of the companies I’m reviewing here.
If we’re clear on that, let’s start.
#1. Usability
Of all features that make an app stand out, Usability is very important and this means how easy it is for users to navigate the app.
Chipper Cash has a very basic design and experience, while PayDay has the nicest design and it’s very easy to navigate.
A use case for why this is important:
Chipper Cash would never show you the exchange rate unless you want to “Send” or “Request” funds, which you’re not likely to see. But on PayDay, you know how much a dollar costs before a purchase.
And another use case on this usability part is the overview screen which is (normally) meant to show your recent activities or overview of what you can do.
Winner: PayDay.
#2. Fees
Every human is a business person by nature, so in most cases, we tend to look for the cheapest option and such happens when it comes to choosing a Dollar or virtual card provider.
A lot of people complain that Chippers Cash has the most expensive exchange rate and this seems to be true.
For instance, as of yesterday, I bought a dollar on PayDay at ₦742 while it cost ₦781.
But before we agree that Chipper Cash is not the “cheaper”, let’s break down the rates.
To create a VISA or Mastercard virtual card on PayDay, you’ll pay $5 as a creation fee while you’ll pay ₦2,000 on Chipper Cash.
And before you can buy anything with dollars on PayDay, you have to swap the naira in your wallet for a dollar, then top up your card… They charge 0.5% of how much you’re swapping (maximum of $5).
While you don’t pay any swapping fee on Chipper Cash.
Let’s assume I need a virtual card of $10, here is the breakdown:
For PayDay:
Creation fee – $5
Top up – $10
Swapping fee – $0.075 (0.5% of $15)
Total ⇒ $15.075
This converted to Naira in PayDay’s rate would be: ₦742 x 15.075 => ₦11,185.65
For Chipper Cash:
Creation fee: ₦2,000
Top up: $10
Total: $10 + ₦2k
Let’s convert this to Naira in Chipper Cash’s rate: (₦781 x 10) + ₦2,000 ⇒ ₦9,810
It’s clear that Chippers Cash is “cheaper” but for the first time, you are creating the card.
If you already have a card but want to top up, PayDay is cheaper but the difference is not up to ₦40 (781 – 742).
In this case, there’s no winner.
Winner: Draw
#3. Customer support
Because we are human and we are not perfect, what we manufacture, create, or produce as well will not be perfect.
That’s why there is customer support for businesses in case things go south and this is very important if you’re thinking of choosing a Dollar or virtual card provider.
PayDay has the worst customer service, although they’re active on Twitter busy creating awareness for the product, but put zero to meager effort into their customer support service.
I once had an issue on February 16, I sent them a message but they replied on March 2nd… that’s 2 weeks!
The recent issue I have with them which I’ll explain later took them 18 hours to send an “automated” response and since then, I’ve not heard anything from them and the issue hasn’t been solved. They immediately close the conversation without resolving it.
The evidence of their poor service is on Twitter, just visit their page to enjoy the comments.
Chipper Cash, they have a faster response rate when it comes to Customer service… I had an issue creating a dollar card and I reached out on Twitter, immediately I received a response and the issue was solved before I see the response.
And I’ve not yet seen any trend where people complain about Chipper Cash’s support.
Winner: Chipper Cash.
#4. Success Rate
Still, on the imperfection, anything can happen at any time but you definitely don’t want to put your money on a platform that’s more likely to fail.
To be frank, Chipper Cash has the highest success rate while you may need to go to the nearby mountain to pray and fast before using PayDay.
This is the top reason why a lot of people are trying to contact PayDay’s support and I think the messages are too much for their support to handle.
I personally have an ongoing issue with them. I want to renew my domain names and I decided to use PayDay, I deposited some Naira, swapped to USD, and decided to get a virtual Dollar card with $34.74.
I expect PayDay to deduct the Money, give me a dollar card with $29.74 as a balance, and remember their $5 card fee.
I tried to buy the card, no response if it failed or it’s successful, I guess it’s a service… I keep on trying until I’m tired.
So I checked my balance $15 has been deducted ($5 in 3 times).
I had no idea why because up till now, no card has been issued to me… I had $19.74 left which I quickly sent to my Chipper Cash before PayDay got angrier.
I top up my Chipper cash with some Naira, purchase my dollar card and I got it immediately
Up till now, PayDay hasn’t issued the card to me or refunded me. People are complaining a lot about this same issue.
The only (trending) complaint about Chipper Cash is the fee which I’ve explained already.
Update on 16th of May, 2023
The founder of PayDay tweeted to celebrate their milestone of having over 600k customers and I replied with my complain.
As seen in the screenshot above, he asked for my PayDay tag and immediately, the magic happened. I got my $15 refunded!
I hope they PayDay improves on their infrastructure instead of having multiple card creation failure and refund.
But for now, Chipper Cash wins here.
Winner: Chipper Cash
#5. Downloads & Reviews
So far, I’ve been referencing my experience with both platforms and it’s high time we see how people are reacting to both apps.
I’ve mentioned that PayDay doesn’t have good reviews on Twitter compared to Chipper Cash but let’s check the Play Store to see what the users are saying with figures.
This is evident that average people would prefer to use Chipper Cash instead of PayDay.
Now, I’m not talking about the number of downloads or reviews, but the average ratings… That shows how satisfied customers are.
Winner: Chipper Cash
#6. Downtime
Most of the time, we want to get something done as quickly as now. This is why I include this point to let you know how far.
Currently, Chipper Cash is down and I’ve updated the app maybe it’ll be resolved but still down… imagine if I need to pay for something now and Chipper Cash is my only option, my faith on candle sticks.
People complain about this, but to be honest it’s not like that every day as it’s mostly working… I would say the uptime is around 95%.
I have never seen a PayDay app crash or have downtime and people don’t complain about that as well.
Winner: PayDay
Conclusion: Chipper Cash vs PayDay –Which one is the best?
In the battle between Chipper Cash and PayDay, both platforms offer impressive features and services. PayDay stands out for its user-friendly interface, app’s uptime, and lower exchange rate, while Chipper Cash excels in Customer support, success rate, and user feedback.
Ultimately, the choice between the two dollars or virtual card providers depends on your specific needs and preferences.
I recommend you assess the fee structures, available features, and usability of both platforms to make an informed decision that aligns with what you need the platform for.
As mentioned earlier, this is not a sponsored post but an honest review from my personal experience and the trend on social media platforms.
If you think something is missing or would like to drop any feedback regarding your experience on any of these apps, kindly use the comment box as it’ll be helpful to everyone reading this blog post.
Don’t forget to share if you think this review is good enough, for people to be informed.
Are you a Nigerian but it’s quite difficult to make international payments online? What you need is one of these dollar or virtual card providers!
As the world is becoming a global village, the way we make payments is also changing, and thanks to Technology for that. We have the likes of PayPal, Square, Venmo, and gift cards that make payment so fast and easy for people in developed countries like the United States. But in some African countries like Nigeria, it’s a very different story as nothing seems to be working for us when it comes to making borderless payments. A few months ago, we received announcements from the banks that our Mastercard and VISA would be unable to pay for international transactions.
So, does that mean we should stop shopping on Amazon, eBay, or on any international sites?
In Nigeria, many people are turning to the dollar and virtual card providers to meet their international payment needs.
Here are the top 5 dollar and virtual card providers in Nigeria
#1. Chipper Cash
Chipper Cash is a mobile payment platform that allows users to send and receive money across Africa. The platform also offers dollar and virtual card services to its users. With Chipper Cash, users can easily create and link a virtual card to their account.
In addition to its dollar and virtual card services, Chipper Cash also offers a range of other features, including the ability to buy airtime, pay bills, and save money. The platform is available for both Android and iOS devices, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
Many users complain that the Chipper Cash exchange rate is higher than other card providers, but they all agree that the card works anytime and any day, which is still good, I mean, we don’t have a choice for now.
PayDay is another popular dollar and virtual card provider in Nigeria. The platform offers a range of payment solutions, including virtual cards, and foreign accounts. With PayDay, users can easily create virtual cards and use them to make online purchases.
In addition to its dollar and virtual card services, PayDay offers a range of other features, including the ability to send money and receive payments. The platform is available for both Android and iOS devices, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
Elon Musk’s company, Starlink recently choose PayDay as one of their payment processors in Nigeria which is a huge partnership proving that PayDay gat some levels too. Oh, of all the platforms listed here, PayDay has the best User Interface, well maybe this is not valid but I love the design personally.
To get started with PayDay, visit their website athttps://www.usepayday.com/
#3. Cardtonic
Cardtonic is a platform that allows users to buy, sell, and exchange gift cards, as well as provide dollar and virtual card services. The platform offers competitive rates for its services, making it a popular choice for those who need to make international transactions.
Cardtonic also offers a range of other features, including the ability to buy and sell Bitcoin, pay bills, and transfer funds.
How does it work? Let’s say you want to buy an item that costs $200 on Amazon, You can head over to Cardtonic to buy an Amazon gift card of that amount, and you’re good to go.
The platform is available for both Android and iOS devices, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
Barter is a virtual card service provided by Flutterwave, one of the leading payment platforms in Africa. The platform offers a range of payment solutions, including virtual cards, physical cards, and dollar accounts. With Barter, users can easily create virtual cards and use them to make online purchases.
In addition to its dollar and virtual card services, Barter offers a range of other features, including the ability to pay bills, send money, and receive payments. The platform is available for both Android and iOS devices, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
Flip is a virtual card service provided by Fluidcoin, a cryptocurrency exchange platform. The platform offers a range of payment solutions, including virtual cards and dollar accounts. With Flip, users can easily create virtual cards and use them to make online purchases.
In addition to its dollar and virtual card services, Flip offers a range of other features, including the ability to buy and sell Bitcoin, pay bills, and transfer funds. The platform is available for both Android and iOS devices, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
To get started with Flip by Fluidcoin, visit their website at https://useflip.app
Enjoy Cross-border with Virtual card providers in Nigeria
The rise of digital payment platforms has made it easier for people to transact across borders. The dollar and virtual card providers listed above offer a range of payment solutions that make it easy for Nigerians to make international transactions.
These providers offer competitive rates and a range of features that make them a popular choice for those who need to send and receive money across borders. I will advise you to get 2-3 of these card providers in case one fvck up. I have 5. Which of these providers have you used before? Mind sharing your opinion? Okay, you have the floor in the comment section.
If you’re a black founder and you need funding for your startup operation, Google Black Founders Fund is definitely one of the best investments you should check.
I joined the waitlist last year and yesterday, I received a mail from the marketing coordinator that the tech giant, Google is now accepting applications for its 2023 Black Founders Fund. The application is also open for Latinos founders and if you identified yourself as one, you can apply.
About Google’s Black Founders Fund
Google’s Black Founders Fund is aimed at empowering black entrepreneurs and startups which is part of Google’s commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the tech industry and beyond.
This fund is given out to selected founders without giving Google any equity. The Black Founders Fund was first launched in 2020, and since then, it has provided financial support and resources to Black-led startups in various stages of development.
Last year (2022), the fund awarded a total of $10 million in non-dilutive funding to 76 startups across the US, Canada, and Europe. The funding is intended to help these startups grow and scale their businesses, as well as to connect them with Google’s network of experts, resources, and technologies.
The application process for the 2023 Black Founders Fund is now open, and eligible Black-led startups are encouraged to apply even if you’ve raised pre-seed before now.
But kindly note that the non-dilutive capital is not for every Black Founders or startup, To be considered for funding, startups must meet some criteria and what are they?
Eligibility Criteria for Google’s Black Founders Fund
Your company or startup must be based or headquartered in the United States. This simply means you must have incorporated your startup in the US.
You have raised, but not more than $5M from Startup accelerators, investors, VCs, or any institution.
Your product is already in Beta at least, not just a waitlist or an idea phase
Your startup must have been making revenue, and you should be able to demonstrate your traction.
The startup must have a full-time founder/ co-founder who’s black – no hobbyist (sorry).
The startup must have at least 30% of its ownership retained at the time of application
Again, you must be able to demonstrate your traction, i.e have a good pitch deck.
These criteria are very simple, they’re basically summarised into four, but for clear understanding, I have to break them into 7.
Startups that meet these criteria can apply for funding by filling out the online application form on the Black Founders Fund website. And here’s how;
How to Apply for Google’s Black Founders Fund
To apply for the 2023 Black Founders Fund, follow these steps: Go to the official website here
Enter your email address and click on “CONTINUE”
Read the application guide carefully before deciding to continue
Fill out the application form correctly, you’ll submit a pitch deck, a short video introduction, and a one-minute pitch video that explains your startup’s mission, vision, and how you plan to use the funding to grow your business.
Review your application and finally SUBMIT
Once you submit your application, Google’s team of experts will review and select the finalist and if you’re among the finalists, you’ll receive non-dilutive funding up to $100,000 with some other perks.
Kindly attend to each question correctly because hundreds of startups will be competing for a spot in the finalist row, and the way you will present your startup idea and traction to them is the winning side.
Application Deadline for 2023 Black Founders Fund
The application deadline for the 2023 Black Founders Fund is March 26, 2023, and finalists will be announced in the fall of 2023. Selected startups will receive non-dilutive funding of up to $100,000, as well as access to Google’s network of experts, resources, and technologies which is even more than the $100k funding you’ll be given if selected.
If you’re a Black entrepreneur or startup founder looking for funding and support, the Black Founders Fund is an excellent opportunity to help take your business to the next level. With Google’s support and resources, you can build and scale your business while also promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the tech industry. Good luck with your application!
This is a question a friend asked me a few days ago because he read about some job opportunities that may favor him, and it was so wise for him to ask because of people scamming people with Canada visa applications. Aside from that friend, I know there is currently a trend in Nigeria called “Japa” meaning to escape or move on.
A lot of people from African countries are trying to escape to developed countries like Canada because of the opportunities awaiting them there. Some people are not trying to “escape” the situation in their country, but they are going to Canada for tourism, education, work, vacation or to relocate to a new country. Whatever your reason is, the first step to making this dream come true is to apply for a visa to Canada.
Let’s talk about the Canadian visa application fee, requirements, and how to apply.
Canada Visa Requirements in Nigeria
Before making an attempt to apply for a visa to Canada in Nigeria, you have to decide which type of visa you need, as that will determine what you need to prepare. But regardless of the type of visa, here are the requirements to apply for a Canadian visa:
An international passport:
A valid international passport is compulsory to travel to most Countries in the world. To apply for a Canadian visa, your passport must have at least 6 months of remaining validity.
Whether you’re going there to work or for a tour, you need to present proof that shows you can “bankroll” your expenses while staying in Canada. If you are supporting yourself, you can use your bank statement but if someone is sponsoring you, you will need to get a letter from the person.
Clean criminal record:
Although this is not proof that you are trustworthy or reliable, it’s proof that you have been law-abiding to some extent. To apply for a visa to Canada, a clean criminal record is required, most people would present a police clearance which is good.
Letter of invitation:
If you’re going to Canada to study, visit someone, or work, you need to provide a letter that you have been offered admission by a school in Canada, employed by someone in Canada, or invited by someone.
Good Medical report:
Yes, you have good health but you have to present proof. You may be required to present or undergo a medical examination to be sure you’re not going to Canada to infect people over there. For example, a coronavirus test result may be required and you must have been vaccinated.
A valid debit or credit card:
Since you are applying for a Canadian visa online, you will need a card to make your payment online. If you’re in countries like Nigeria where local cards are declined for international payments, you can get a virtual or dollar card from your bank.
A camera or scanner:
Just to get electronic copies of your document. If you don’t have any of these and your smartphone’s camera is good, you can use it to snap your documents but make sure they’re clear and well-cropped.
Important notice: You are required to apply for a visa to Canada online unless you have a disability that will prevent you from doing so.
These are just the general requirements. Again, depending on the visa type you are applying for, you may be required to provide something that’s not listed here. The best thing to do is to go to Canada properly to be sure.
Source: www.canada.ca
If you meet these requirements, kindly note that your Canada visa application may not be approved if you have in one way violated human rights, or engaged in criminal or organized crime.
After getting the requirements ready, the next big deal is to start applying and here we go:
Canada Visa Application in Nigeria: How to apply
Decide the type of visa you need
If you’re going there to visit someone or tour the country, you can apply for a visit visa while you apply for a work visa if you are going to Canada to work. They are all visas but with different requirements. If you’re a student and you have been offered admission in Canada, you may not need a Visa if the Canadian government has approved your study permit alongside your admission.
Visit Canada’s immigration website to apply
You will need to create an account with a valid email address and depending on the type of visa you are applying for, kindly check the respective link below:
NOTE: These links will not direct you to a page where you will start applying but to check for instruction that works for you personally as you will be asked some questions and later be provided with some steps to take further.
For a visitor’s visa, Go to this link to start applying for a visa to Canada.
If you are applying for a work permit to Canada and you need to take your family members along, they must also apply for a visa. Your wife/husband can also apply for a work visa while your dependent children apply for a study visa.
Follow the prompt questionnaires and submit your application
After accessing your eligibility status from the links shared above, and getting the documents asked of you, you can proceed to apply. Make sure you answer all questions correctly and as honestly as you can, if you don’t understand a question, you can ask for help rather than guess and miss your visa approval.
If you are sure that you have answered all the questions correctly and uploaded all the required documents, review them again, make your payment, and submit your visa application.
Wait for a response
You have to wait until a visa officer decides if your application will be approved or not. But note that the time waiting for a response can span weeks or even months.
If your application is approved, congratulations – you will receive a confirmation email in your registered email address, so keep an eye on it from time to time and ensure you check your spam folder because sometimes, life-changing emails may be hiding there.
Plan your trip and travel to Canada
The next thing is to start planning your trip, getting a plane ticket, your passport ready, and other travel documents you may need. Don’t forget that the money you paid while applying for a visa is not your transport fare, that’s the processing fee. You’ll need to pay for the plane ticket.
When everything is ready, go to the airport and enjoy your trip to Canada. Kindly avoid any temptation that may trigger you to stay outside your visa condition as you may be punished if caught. The punishment can be severe as banning you from visiting the country for a while.
That’s how you can apply for a visa to Canada. But if you’re still not sure how to handle the application process, it is advisable you use the service of someone who knows about it like a travel agency, but be careful as most travel agents out there are scammers or traffickers.
But wait, there is an important question we haven’t covered…
How much does it cost to apply for a Canada visa in Nigeria? Don’t you think it is wise to ask? Let’s talk about it
How much does it cost to apply for a Canada visa in Nigeria?
The cost of processing a visa to Canada in Nigeria varies with respect to the type of visa you are applying for. Below is a quick overview of how much you will be paying;
Canada study permit costs $150 per person
Canadian work permit costs $155 per person
A visitor visa to Canada costs $100 per person
Canada’s citizenship application costs $630 per adult and $100 for less than 18 years old
(Permanent residence) The business immigration processing fee is $1,625 per person
(Permanent residence) The economic immigration processing fee is $1,365 per person
(Permanent residence) Family sponsorship costs $1,080 for adults and $155 per dependent child
Then as part of the processing fee, you will also pay for:
Biometrics costs $85 per person and more cheaper if you are applying as a family or group
The Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) Processing Fee which is $7
This depends on which type of visa you are trying to process and your location to determine how much the plane ticket will be. If you have this information, then it is easy to predict roughly how much you will be spending altogether to move to Canada.
Let me do a sample calculation for you.
I’m in Nigeria and let’s say I’m trying to apply for a visa to Canada to work, I will be going for a work permit. The calculation goes as follows:
Work permit – $150
Biometric – $85
eTA – $7
Sub-total ($150 + 85 + 7) = $242.
My brain will tell me to prepare for $300 which I will make ready to pay when filling out my application form.
Plane ticket – $2,000 – $8,000
**This price is obtained by using a flight booking website to check the Economic flight from Lagos to Canada.
Let’s say I’m able to get a nice deal at $3,000 for a plane ticket and assume that the Canadian Dollar is the same as US Dollars, the total money I’m planning to spend is ($3,000 + 300) = $3,300
That, in Nigerian naira, is NGN 1.5m in CBN rate and NGN2.5m…
To apply for a visa to Canada is not as expensive as getting a plane to the country, you must be financially strong if you are sponsoring yourself because from your estimated processing and ticket booking fees, remember you have to present proof that you can bankroll your expenses.
Disclaimer: The writer of this blog post is not a travel agent and he’s not affiliated to Canada’s immigration. If you have any question that this blog post doesn’t answer, kindly forward it to a professional or contact the Canadian embassy in your country.
If you found this blog post “How to Apply for a Visa to Canada“, kindly share it with your friends and if you like, you can buy me a coffee to support us.
Like co-pilot, GitHub for Startups is what startup founders need to build, collaborate and ship their product from idea to IPO. Let’s talk about the requirements and how you can apply.
Ever since Microsoft acquires Github, we’ve been seeing some features such as the GitHub co-pilot, the ReadMe project, and many other improvements. The company recently announced a new feature or let me say a new plan and they called it “GitHub for Startups”
In case you don’t know what is GitHub, It is the world’s largest Internet hosting service for software development and version control using Git. Developers in Nigeria can easily work with developers in the United States, India, Canada, and any part of the world.
The company which was acquired by Microsoft in 2018 makes it easy for software developers to collaborate faster and more effectively. Currently, over 80 million developers across the world use GitHub.
Companies like Slack, Coinbase, Spotify, Stripe, and some unicorn startups in the world make use of GitHub for collaboration and most importantly, the enterprise plan because of features like security.
What is GitHub for Startups?
GitHub for Startups is simply GitHub’s enterprise plan for startups.
To understand this, GitHub is free for developers to use, but if you want to get more from using GitHub, you can subscribe to any of its premium plans. Currently, there are 3 pricing plans on GitHub, their pricing is as follows;
Free – $0
Team – $48/yr for each user
Enterprise – $252/yr for each user
If you have 10 developers working in your startup, and you are using GitHub’s enterprise plan, you will be paying $2,520 per year. It increases as the number of developers in your startup increases.
But if you have a startup with a number of developers up to 20 but not more than that, this enterprise plan will be free for you courtesy of GitHub for Startups. It seems like good stuff, right? But don’t answer yet until you know the requirements.
GitHub partners with investors for GitHub for Startups
GitHub is a code-sharing and hosting platform, and now they are dealing with startups. So they partner with top investors, incubators, accelerators, and VCs to make this program more effective. Currently, the partners include;
These are five of the biggest startup accelerators in the world right now. GitHub is still accepting applications from those investors or startups who wish to be part of this.
If you have a tech hub, you run a startup ecosystem program, you are an incubator/accelerator, or you are a venture capitalist, click on apply to become a partner on this page.
Back to startup founders or representatives, the question you may have in mind right now is;
What are the Benefits of GitHub for Startups?
If your startup is eligible, you will enjoy all features contained in GitHub’s top premium (Enterprise) plan for up to 20 seats. Not only that, but because it’s for startups, you will also enjoy;
Access to the best DevOps platform to build your startup with all the technical or developers’ tools you need.
Also, product guidance for your startupis important to take your startup to the next level because writing code is not always enough.
The question you are asking yourself right now is; “Will my startup be eligible for this GitHub for Startups offer?” Well, I’m partially disappointed because most “startups” who are just starting out and can’t afford this will need to continue using their free organization feature on GitHub because of the requirements…
Requirements for GitHub for Startups
There are just two requirements;
Early-stage but funded startups
The term “early-stage” doesn’t mean “any startup that’s just growing”. If you are just building and you haven’t raised any funds, just forget about GitHub for Startups.
If you are smart enough to say you’ve been funded when you are not, you are just shooting yourself because GitHub has partnered with venture capitalists, investors, and accelerators. It’s very easy for GitHub to verify each application.
You haven’t received GitHub’s Enterprise credit
If by chance your organization has received GitHub enterprise credit before, then this offer is not for you because you’ve enjoyed the offers contained in the GitHub for Startups even before it is publicly released.
If you have been funded up to Series A (not pre-seed o), you can apply for this offer. Here is how to;
GitHub for Startups is for the big guys for startups who are really in the idea stage, this is what GitHub thinks is fair for them.
It’s like a marketing strategy, if they allow every nook and cranny of startups, it won’t be a good business because, at the end of the first year, many of these startups won’t be able to continue using the plan because they can’t afford it.
Even though the startups they are accepting can afford to spend $20,000 to subscribe for the next 5 years, GitHub still feels it’s better to onboard them first by allowing them to taste the good vibes that come with the enterprise plan because some funded startups use the free plan up till date.
If they see how amazing the enterprise plan is, they won’t be doubting maybe to start paying for it or not.
It’s just like when GitHub co-pilot was released, the AI is so amazing that it can help you write your code with just little editing from you. After a year of its free trial, GitHub started charging for it and I believe some developers will pay because they’ve seen how helpful it is.
Building a successful startup requires a lot of steps but a major one is finding the right co-founder or co-founders. Compared to marketing, financing and other particular factors in creating a successful business, finding the right co-founder is quite a herculean task.
If you are not lucky to find the right co-founder, then your startup is dead already unless you get the perfect one as soon as possible.
Some people are so selfish that they don’t want anybody to join hands with them as executives in building a business, they want to have 100% ownership of the startup. If you have this kind of mentality, you should rethink or start a small business and take full control of it.
In this blog post, you will learn how to can find the right co-founder that will help you build that idea in your head. But before we dive into the nitty-gritty of finding the perfect co-founder, let’s answer these 3 important questions:
Who is a co-founder?
Why do I need a co-founder?
What are the qualities of the right co-founder?
Who is a Co-Founder?
According to Indeed.com, a co-founder is a member of the executive team who played a role in the founding of a company. This person typically works with other founders to create and launch a business.
You know that a founder is someone with the idea of a business. But due to the fact that no one is an island of knowledge, oftentimes a founder may not have enough funds to finance the idea, or the human resources required to bring the idea to reality. That’s when the idea of having a co-founder comes in.
A co-founder works hand-in-hand with the founder to establish the business and make it successful.
This means that it is possible for a company to have both a founder and co-founder(s) if the business idea came from one person and the other just came later to implement it. In another light, if two or more people put their heads together to formulate the business idea, then they are all co-founders.
A co-founder Vs a CEO
A co-founder may or may not be the CEO. A CEO is the Chief Executive Officer, which means that a CEO is the acting leader of the organization. Most times a founder/co-founder is also the CEO but sometimes a more experienced CEO is hired. Also, a hired CEO does not necessarily take the title of the co-founder since they may not actually take part in building the platform.
The job of a CEO is to coordinate and lead the team, create goals and targets, communicate with other entities, and shareholders, access risks, and so on. So basically the roles of a co-founder and CEO matter but one person can still hold the same title.
Why Do I Need a Co-Founder?
In founding a startup, you can decide to do it solo but it is much better to have a helping hand. The following are a few reasons why you may need to consider having a co-founder:
Being a solo founder is stressful
Starting a business is not an easy task. You will experience a reasonable amount of pressure In trying to put everything in place. The process; ranging from writing code, down to marketing, is not going to be a piece of cake. Sure you might have other employees to share the workload with you but there is a limit to where employees can help you that’s why you need a partner.
Brainstorming
“Two heads are better than one.” There will come a time when you might get stuck and need someone to help you up. Note that there is a difference between an advisor and a partner. You might get external advice, fine but you can’t expect someone that is not in it with you to actually know exactly what you need.
Emotional support
In starting up a business you’re in some kind of emotional roller-coaster due to the ups and downs. In this situation, you need someone to share the burden.
In this situation, a close friend or family member will not give you the kind of support you need at that time and to your employees, well you’re their boss and there’s a limit. So, you need a partner.
Think about finances and VCs
Building a startup can be pretty expensive and chances of raising funds or getting donations when you don’t have your product or the prototype ready yet are pretty low. The opportunity of working with a co-founder allows you to share the early costs of the business.
Besides, it’s very rare to find investors investing in a one-man business. If you’re concerned about your equity, think of this. Would you rather have 100% equity in a company worth $30,000 or 50% equity in a company worth $100,000?
The record of successful companies
Looking at a list of the most successful unicorns in the history of startups like Google, Microsoft, Apple, and Facebook, to mention a few. They all had co-founders when they first started. Although, many people forget this point because as time goes on the company gets associated with one particular person, especially the CEO who usually becomes prominent and famous.
For example when we think of Microsoft – Bill Gates, Facebook – Mark Zuckerberg. But, when we look into the earliest stages we would realize that they were co-founders. This should give a kind of insight into what pattern to follow as to choosing a co-founder or not.
What are the qualities of a good co-founder?
Now that you’re convinced you really need a co-founder, don’t stand jumping into the river without knowing how deep it is. I mean, you don’t select just anybody to be your co-founder.
Bill Gates and his co-founder, Paul Allen
There are some important criteria that the person you would want to consider as a co-founder must possess. Remember that you’re not aiming at a short-term relationship. Let’s take a look at some of them.
The skill
One of the mistakes people make in choosing a co-founder is choosing someone with the same skills they have. You should be looking for someone who is skilled in the areas you are not very skilled in.
If you’re good at building the product and writing the codes then ideally you should have a co-founder who is good at marketing, talking to users, and getting customers.
If you are going to have a team of co-founders you should be looking for varied skill sets not a group of duplicates.
Similar core values and vision
Your co-founder should be of a like mindset. If your vision is to take your business to the global stage then your co-founder has to understand and believe in it. If you have a can-do attitude and an always-ready spirit you most likely wouldn’t want someone who believes in taking things slowly and one at a time.
Although people have different ways of doing things that work differently for different people, you need a co-founder whose views go alongside yours or are at least very similar.
Realistic
Your co-founder should be someone who understands how businesses work. Not someone who thinks you will start making profits immediately after you start the business. An unrealistic co-founder will lose interest quite easily when their fantasies are not met.
Other qualities the right co-founder should include:
A co-founder should be trustworthy
S/he should be committed to the goal as you
The co-founder should always be ready to adapt to new changes
Ability to handle conflict and stress
Such co-founders should be creative with ideas
Now to the bigger question, “How can I find the right co-founder?”.
When looking for the right co-founder, the best place to start looking is among people you already know, your co-worker or your course-mate or close friends. That is of course if you can find someone with the skills you are looking for.
And even if you can’t find a suitable person in your social circle, it’s okay. Just check the steps align below to know how you can get the right partner for you.
5 Ways to Find the Right Co-founder for your Startup
Explore your social circle
If you don’t have someone who has the skills you are looking for in your social circle then why don’t you try expanding your circle? Who knows, someone you know might actually know someone, who probably knows someone with the skillset or experience you’re looking for.
You could make a list of your tech friends then ask each one of them if they know someone with some particular set of skills and then make a list of those people they tell you. If you still can’t find someone suitable ask those new people you’ve been introduced to if they know someone.
That way, if you only have ten people on your lists and each of them tells you about ten persons each, bingo you have one hundred people you can ask to be your co-founder. Gradually, you have a lot of choices of people to choose from.
You can also use social networks like Twitter and LinkedIn to check for the type of co-founder you need and reach out to them.
Attend & Network at tech events
Another cool and popular way of finding co-founders is by attending events, meetups, and hackathons. Go out and actually meet people. You can look up these events where you think you’ll find a lot of relevant people that can have what you need.
This tech event includes the famous Google developer events, Open source communities like OSCA Fest, the tech seminars going on around you or you can look up Meetup.com. They have a website where you can find meetups all over the world and you can find the one close or relevant to you.
The essence of having a meetup or tech event is to learn together and network, but most time, people go to these events to snap pictures and have fun, and maybe you have been one of those people too. Well, the next tech event you will be attending should be to find a potential co-founder for your startup.
I know it’s not easy to network with a stranger especially if you are an introvert like me, but then, if you can’t talk or strike up a conversation with a person, how are you going to tell people about what you are building or build and why they need to use it?
So you have to start practicing now, imagine yourself pitching your startup idea to an investor, swallow the shyness and get that right co-founder!
Use co-founder matching platforms
There are quite a number of matchmaking platforms for startups out there. These platforms have nobody than those with ideas but looking for a co-founder, or someone without an idea but would like to become a co-founder to someone with a startup idea.
These platforms can be really helpful because they are majorly for finding co-founders so if you are looking for that perfect co-founder, then you should definitely check them out.
Online forums
Forums may not actually be created for finding co-founders, but you can make use of ones that have a lot of traffic. For example, Reddit, Quora, and Discord have groups dedicated to finding co-founders and they are loaded with people which means you definitely should check them out.
Also, these forums are international and you tend to meet people from different geographical locations so if you are interested in finding a co-founder with a different background to probably expand your horizon or your business then you should definitely use these forums.
Universities (or colleges)
Maybe you’ve probably read online that Bill Gates met his co-founder, Paul Allen in the late 1960s at Seattle’s Lakeside School when he was in eighth grade, Mark Zuckerberg met Eduardo Saverin at Harvard university and they both launched Facebook in 2004.
If we come to Nigeria, Shola Akinlade and Ezra Olubi who founded Paystack met in school. The three founders of Jobberman.com, the largest job listing website in Africa met each other at Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU
Another very helpful way of finding a co-founder is going to a college or university. This is actually very helpful in finding the perfect set of skills you need. For example, you need someone with business and marketing skills; go to a business school, attend their entrepreneur events and get to know people with the exact skill you need.
A piece of advice on finding the right co-founder
Watch before you leap, and not “surface watching”
In finding a co-founder it is important to note that you probably shouldn’t walk up to someone and say let’s start a company together. It is more advisable that if your potential co-founder isn’t someone you’re not sure you can work with, start by building probably a simple project together.
This way you get to see how devoted they are to work if you’re okay working with them and other basic stuff. It is also important not to rule out someone as a potential co-founder if they are only lacking simple learnable skills.
If you get someone who is ready to learn and open to improvement but lacks maybe that skill that can be learned easily, it is better to consider that person than someone who has all the skills but is not open to improvement or corrections.
Avoid future problems, agree on equity spilt immediately
Another important thing to do is the agree beforehand on the equity split. You both should agree on how the profit is going to be shared. Most times it’s 50:50 but you and your co-founder may have other plans.
Although sometimes you may have been working on the business idea before your co-founder comes on board but it’s still okay to make it 50:50 or something very close to that. But then, you guys must agree on it, either it should be 50/50 or 60/40 but a co-founder must have over 10% equity.
Agree on the titles
You should agree on who’s going to be the CEO of the company. The CEO title should be given to the person who would most likely be talking to customers and investors.
If you would like to be the CEO, then you absolutely shouldn’t co-found with someone who also wants to be the boss to definitely avoid future conflicts… Two captains can’t sail a ship unless you want to subscribe for an accident.
But wait…
You might also be thinking, “if I have a nice business idea, should I wait till I find a co-founder or should I just really go for it?” The answer is yes. If you have the idea and you’re really confident about it then go ahead. You should start building and also be on the lookout for a co-founder while in the process.
Sometimes you might not even get anyone to be a co-founder if they don’t believe in your idea but the fact that you’re already building and they can actually see your plan in action is a good way of attracting the perfect co-founder.
Conclusion: Finding the right co-founder
Once you find the right person and you have both agreed on the important things that have been mentioned above, It is also important to legalize things. You definitely won’t do that at the start of your company but when things start becoming big, then you should definitely have a legal agreement.
With the helpful suggestions above, you have everything you need to know about finding the right co-founder, and good luck in building the next unicorn, we can’t wait to see what solution you’re bridging to the world.
Nigerian startup founders are repping the country globally. Let’s talk about 10 OAU Alumni repping the citadel of knowledge among these brilliant problem solvers.
We have tens of startups founded by Nigerians and most of them are pretty doing well. But lately, attention has been drawn to how OAU and Covenant University produced the highest number of “millionaire” West African startup founders in the last ten years according to a report by Techpoint Africa.
According to the report, OAU peaked at the top spot producing 12 Startup founders followed by Covenant University which produced 6 founders.
But this blog post is not about the report by Techpoint Africa, because that report is based on startups that have raised $1m. This blog post is about successful startup founders who graduated from OAU whether the startup raised to $1m or not.
About Obafemi Awolowo University
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) is one of the biggest, oldest, and most respected universities in Africa. Founded in 1962, the school is recognized globally, currently ranked #44 in Best Global Universities in Africa, and #1187 in the Best Global Universities.
If you see OAU students past or present shouting “Great Ife”, just know that they are not exaggerating, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife is indeed a great citadel of knowledge.
Do you want to talk about the beautiful campus, the reputation, or how the school has produced a lot of well-to-do people in the country in almost every sector?
Maybe that’s one of the reasons thousands of students want to gain admission to the school every year even when they know they have higher chances in other schools, but they’ll still choose to compete for OAU admission.
We have a lot of successful people who have attended or graduated from this school, you can see some of them in the entertainment industry such as Fireboy, ASAKE, and Blaqbonez among others. Femi Otedola, one of the wealthiest African men, is also a product of Obafemi Awolowo University.
If you’re talking about big men in politics: Dele Momodu, Olusegun Mimiko, Lai Mohammed, Olusegun Oni, Dapo Abiodun, and Rotimi Akeredolu are proud alumni of OAU.
But let’s talk about people in tech, we have tons of successful OAU alumni who are today working in the area of technology in the country or abroad.
But today, I will be showing you 10 successful startup founders who graduated from or have attended Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU.
Kindly note that this order of arrangement is random and not to be made exclusive as to how important or successful they are. Also, some of them graduated while others chose to drop out, but the fact that they attended OAU is worth mentioning.
PSS: Some of them are co-founders, that is they join hands with someone or some people to build the startup.
With that in mind, here are the (known) startup founders who graduated from OAU.
OAU Alumni: 14 Nigerian Startup Founders who Graduated from OAU
Tosin Eniolorunda studied Mechanical Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University. He founded TeamApt now officially branded as “Moniepoint” in 2015 to “digitalize Africa’s economy”. So far, the startup, TeamApt is used by over 400,000 businesses and has processed over $100bn in transactions via its products; Moniepoint and Monnify.
Headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria with over 480 employees, the startup has raised over $50M, which is a great milestone in the history of startups in Africa, and for someone to come up with an idea that investors and customers can buy into, that means the person is a genius at what he/she does.
Nomba which is formerly known as Kudi is one of the most successful startups in Nigeria that deals with financial technologies. Co-founded by Yinka Adewale who studied Mechanical Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, the startup has over 170 employees and has raised $5M to increase its business reach.
If you go to Google right now to search for property in Nigeria, PropertyPro will be one of the first 10 results, thanks to how fast the real estate marketplace has grown over the years.
The startup led by Fikayo Ogundipe who studied Electrical Electronic Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University has raised over $1.4m to help people in Nigeria and other African countries find a better place to live from their smartphones.
Opeawo, as he is famously known, is a serial entrepreneur who co-founded Nigeria’s top job marketplace, Jobberman (which has been acquired), and also a cloud hosting startup, Whogohost which is currently the best web hosting company in Nigeria.
Opeyemi Awoyemi, a software engineer studied computer science and engineering at the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University.
One of the most famous tech celebrities in Nigeria, Sultan Akintunde is popularly known as HackSultan and he is known for his charity to people who are in tech, want to get into tech, and people who are not even in tech.
He cofounded TalentQL, a talent marketplace, and AltSchoolAfrica, an ed-tech startup that recently raised $1m to support its mission.
HackSultan is also the founder of DevCareer, an NGO startup that helps people in tech.
Sultan Akintunde studied Geography at OAU but later went to Oduduwa University, a school very close to OAU to study computer science.
The oldest and the only OAU alumnae on the list, Funke Opeke studied Electrical engineering at OAU, she founded MainOne, a provider of innovative telecom services and network solutions for West African businesses.
The startup which has been acquired by Equinix for $320M according to TechCrunch was founded in 2010 by Opeke as a result of bad internet connectivity in Nigeria and she came up with an idea that turned out to be West Africa’s first privately owned, open access undersea high-capacity cable.
SlimTrader is a technology enabler for African Businesses. Its hosted technology platform supports businesses in the travel and hospitality sector. The startup co-founded by Femi Akinde who studied Electrical Electronic Engineering received $1M from Nigeria’s fintech king, Interswitch.
Cowrywise, a big competitor to Piggyvest was founded by Razaq Ahmed who studied Economics at OAU. The startup helps you save and invest your money wisely instead of leaving it for inflation in the bank.
Cowrywise raised over $3M to make this vision become a clear reality and the growth ever since then has been nothing but amazing.
Bumpa is just an all-in-solution for small business owners. The startup allows you to create an online store, manage your inventory, and receive payment right on your phone.
Recently, the startup achieved a milestone by partnering with Meta (owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) to make selling faster!
Bumpa was founded by Kelvin Umechukwu who studied mechanical engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University.
Okay. Hands up for the godfather of techies. Seun Osewa is one of the most influential people in Nigeria, his platform Nairaland is one of the top 10 most visited websites in Nigeria with over 1.9m registered members and over 7m topics created.
It will be difficult to see a Nigerian tech savvy who doesn’t know a platform called Nairaland, it’s just like StackOverflow for developers.
Despite an English Language and Literature degree from OAU, Kayode found his calling in tech. He founded SendChamp, a messaging platform for businesses, raising over $500k before its acquisition by Whogohost. Currently, he serves as Chief Product Officer at Whogohost, alongside his co-founder who holds the CTO position.
Kayode embodies the entrepreneurial spirit. Not all ventures succeed, as he acknowledges with his “died on the laptop” comment, but his diverse experiences shape his journey. Notably, his digital agency, Sprinble, serves prestigious clients like Carbon, Globacom, and Chopbarh.
Chowdeck Trio (Chowdeck):
This dynamic trio Femi Aluko, Lanre Yusuf, and Olumide Ojo built a strong bond at university, which they carried to their impressive roles at Paystack where they all became Principal Engineers before launching Chowdeck together. They are 3 of the Paystack Mafia.
Getting into YCombinator is a dream of every startup founder and this makes it extremely competitive to get accepted into the accelerator program, but Chowdeck was accepted in 2021 and has raised over $500K since then according to Crunchbase.
Recently, they further expanded their reach by partnering with Shoprite, delivering groceries straight to customers’ doors.
About the Chowdeck’s Trio
Olumide Ojo (CTO): Computer Engineering graduate from “The Greatest Ife,” Ojo brings technical expertise to Chowdeck, one of Nigeria’s top food delivery startups.
Lanre Yusuf (COO): Combining Computer Science and Economics from “The Greatest Ife,” Yusuf oversees day-to-day operations at Chowdeck.
Femi Aluko (CEO): A graduate in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from “The Greatest Ife,” Aluko leads the vision and strategy for Chowdeck.
Finally words… 14 OAU Alumni among Nigerian startup founders
All these startups listed above are worth over a million dollars and you will agree with me that the brain behind them should be acknowledged right? One thing to notice here is that it is not compulsory you study computer science before you can be innovative or co-build a startup, you can study anything and still be a tech founder.
A LESSON: If you are currently a student either in OAU or any school, don’t just live your school life for the “degree”, try to learn a skill, network with your friends, and build something together, even if you’ll have to take it as a side project, don’t just be after the degree only.
If you know any startup founded by OAU alumni or students, kindly use the comment box below to share with us.
