(PS: This is not Jos, I’m using this picture to trick you into imagining paradise whenever you think of Jos)
“You’re lovely to look at, with your green hills, cool weather, affable people, and all-around awesome environment. Why can’t you keep a (wo)man?” That’s what I kept muttering under my breath as I read this article on how ULesson (and Miva University) came to be and I was reminded that the Startup began operations in Jos. As a self-proclaimed “Jos” boy, I am always gutted when I’m reminded about it. Because after just a year of operating here, they packed up and moved to Abuja. Never to look back again.
As if the internet wanted to mock me, I immediately stumbled on another article about Uyo, “the Jos of the south”. Almost the same conditions, but the city is quickly becoming a major tech hub, with great, awesome tech experiences.
Jos, Nigeria’s most beautiful location by many standards, is idyllic for any young professional, with its calm, serene environment. So why aren’t we the tech giant I believe we can be? What annoys me the most is that talent yakpa in Jos. In fact, I know a Dev who is so good that I’m wooing his sister to get that tech blood in my family. Our tech guys can go toe-to-toe with anyone on earth, and I’m speaking from experience; a former roommate of mine used to build top-notch apps for fun. So why is Uyo’s tech ecosystem growing at a faster pace than my favourite city? Why would a Startup like ULesson, after spending so much to Setup here, decide to up and leave (even when some employees wanted to stay back)? Is Jos cursed?
The Wild Wild North
The first thought was insecurity. But people living in Jos know it’s not as dangerous as it sounds. Violence happens mostly in villages in other local governments. But then, reputation is everything (I would know, I finished one full spaghetti once when I was younger, and I’m still known as the hungry guy at home) so it makes sense that many businesses wouldn’t want to set up here till after a year of zero reports of any incidences.
Bad Market
Another problem that immediately jumps at you is the city’s proximity to funds. This includes capital, revenue, and all funds in between. Startups need investors, whether the investment comes from internal or external sources is the Startup’s business. Jos is “close” to Abuja (If you’ll call a 5-hour trip close), but so is Kaduna, which currently has more commercial value. Plus, if I were an investor, I’d want to stay close to my funds. I don’t want to risk a canceled flight when I’m trying to reach a founder’s office to stop him from wasting my money! We need the rich investors, and sadly they are domiciled where the bulk of Nigeria’s money is: Lagos, Abuja, (maybe Rivers?) That’s where any Startup with sense will be.
Startups also need someone to buy what they are selling, unfortunately, Plateau is closer to being a “civil service” state than an entrepreneurial one. This means that most of the money around these parts comes from government coffers in the form of salaries, so, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs comes into play, and by the time civil servants are done buying food, building a house, sending their children to school (and buying a few plates of pepper soup with booze to wash it down), the money is finished.
Take ULesson for example: yes the company was making reading fun for secondary school pupils, but I can count without stress, the number of schools that can afford that solution in Jos. And great weather will not justify pitching its tent in Jos, while catering to markets in Lagos and Abuja. Even the customer support processes will be a mess.
The P in “Startup” is For People
Startup ideas that scale usually solve a problem encountered by the majority. If I create a product that helps me dream about gisting with Jay Z every day, it won’t sell, because only a mad person would want that. But imagine I made a product that got you to magically appear at work fully dressed every morning, everyone would buy it (except my mother, because she doesn’t roll with witchcraft). A great thing about solutions is that they come from problems, and the more people there are, the more common problems there will be. Uber wouldn’t have been born if its founders lived their whole lives in a farming village, the problem had to be encountered. I don’t think there are enough people at the moment to create this problem-solving environment.
Also, I know I said that the tech talent in Jos, is top-notch. I stand by it. But the truth is that the talent pool is not deep enough to sustain a thriving ecosystem. We need a lot more people with deep experience building the next generation. Yes, we have one strong hub and a couple of workspaces, but that’s not enough, not by a long shot. Companies will need to have employees they can trust with big projects.
We need to attract great talent to the city from other parts of the country. And this talent will only come when there are roles to fill here.
“Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Tech”
At the end of the First World War, Germany, one of the war’s losers had to relinquish its rights to a full army, and had all its weapons seized by the the winners (France being chief among them). 21 years later, German forces marched in victory, conquering France in the name of the “Fatherland”.
Any way you look at it, it was an incredible feat, how could a country create an army from scratch, and arm itself to the point where it was strong enough to beat a world power at the time? They were forced to start from scratch, innovating new technology as they went along, building better ships, planes, guns, and bombs. They chose to view their humiliation as a blank slate.
Plateau State has the opportunity to do the same thing. Build from scratch. Sure nothing seems to be working now, so when you start from the beginning no one will notice. Build your state infrastructure, create better business conditions, attract businesses from your key sectors (the agro-produce chain, tourism, minerals, etc.), and sign mutually beneficial agreements with external parties. Be hungry for growth because you know you’re just starting and there is a lot to catch up on.
From there, you would have created a growing population with a growing talent pool. Invest in their education too. Teach everyone skills around tech, nurture their business acumen, and create hubs where they can connect. This way, you’re not just creating a pool of talent, you’re domiciling it so that talent is easy to source when needed.
Of course, it’s going to be harder work than this, and it is a job for all stakeholders, not just the government. If Jos wants to develop a tech ecosystem, it has to belong to all and be open to change.
Jos is home to me in all the ways that matter. I love that state so much, that I spend an hour weekly to rant about all these things that I am sharing with you. Dear Jos, when you finally make it, remember to come and squeeze something in my hand oh. All of us are hustling together.
What have I been Up To?
I have been mourning the death of my favourite “Friends” star, I haven’t been able to bring myself to watch the show since he died. Rest in peace Mr. Perry.
Gearing up for Christmas is hard in this town. It’s hot, they haven’t started playing Christmas songs, and people still look angry. I’m planning to do a Home Alone marathon sha. (Scratch this, I just saw fireworks as I was typing! This just might be the week when it starts!!!)
In the spirit of praising home talent. Do you want to build a tech product without having to raise a Series A round to fund it? I know just the guys that can do it for a great price. Hit me up.
I read this awesome article by Vistanium, I think you should too.
My guy is getting married. Ein go hear am! And I will be there no matter what.
This particular newsletter is dedicated to Mo. Even though you don’t know Jos, you were one of the people who went out of their way to make me feel at home when I moved here.
Thanks for reading, see you all soon (hopefully).
First of why didn’t you use pictures from Jos?? And we will not squeeze shingbai! Into your hands When we blow up😂😂🤣😂🤣 nice piece monkey!