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Unlocking Internet-Based Business Opportunities in Nigeria - By Jonah Iboma
The Internet has today grown to become a significant part of our everyday
lives, delivering solutions that were never thought of as possible both at home,
in the school, as well the workplace.
Though initially designed as a means of
communications for the American military and also in the academic community, the
Internet has gradually evolved into a leading medium for education, business
transaction and information dissemination.
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Today, the Internet is being used as a payment method, telecommunication traffic
is also carried through the Internet and even video and audio services is among
many services possible today on the Internet.
Advertising and electronic commerce have also become big businesses through the
medium. In fact in 2006, revenue from online advertising in the United Kingdom
overtook advertising in other medium for the time in history.
But despite this reality, Nigerians are not among major players in this big
global business.
Experts, however, note that with proper planning, Internet can be a veritable
source of income for individuals and even corporate bodies.
Managing Director of Kemson Concepts, Mr Ben Aduli, said the Internet provides
an almost endless source of financial income. According to him, with good
access, one can sit in the comfort of his home, provide Internet-based solutions
to people in several parts of the world, and rake in some good income from such
business.
He said there are services requiring people to make data entry and simply send
the results back. The President of the Nigerian Internet Group, Mr. Lanre Ajayi,
says the body had realised that many Nigerians were not using the Internet
optimally as they should to better their lives and was therefore out to change
the situation in the' country. According to him, there is more money in Internet
content if people can devote time and effort to such. He says while in the past,
infrastructure seemed to be a better source of income, content had overtaken it.
"Most of the businesses that we do today would enter into online formats in the
years to come. This creates room for business," he says. He noted that for
anyone intending to be part of the Internet financial revolution, "creativity is
the word." "People have to be creative to have successful online business, he
says ..
He said an example of creative online business that the NIG had identified is
that of an individual who has digitised all the past questions of JAMB and their
answers. According to him, the problem with the solution is identifying an
effective online payment system that will allow users to access it without
problem and would also ensure that the owner of the site gets money due him
Other Internet businesses that Ajayi identifies include electronic government
solutions, classified advertisement and electronic learning.
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