Three students had time on their hands in the summer of 2009 when their university lecturers in Nigeria went on strike.
Instead of slacking off, Ayodeji Adewunmi, Olalekan Olude and Opeyemi Awoyemi started an online job search company.
Five years later their start-up, Jobberman, has got a multi-million dollar valuation, employs 125 people, and is still growing.
While Nigeria is Africa's largest economy it still has massive unemployment problems, in particular among young people who are also more likely to be connected to the internet.
Jobberman has become the single largest job placement website in sub-Saharan Africa, helping over 35,000 people find jobs within the last two years.
The number of companies using the site to find employees has grown from about 40 in 2009 to some 35,000 today.
Carrying between 500 and 1,000 jobs on the site every day, the founders estimate that there are about 1,000 active users searching for a job at any given time.
"The growth has been tremendous, it's at rocket speed. One of the biggest challenges has been to keep up with the volume of work," says Olalekan.
Overcoming fraud fears
However, there have been other challenges along the way.
"In the beginning a lot of people did not trust an internet-based business because at that time a lot of people were using the internet to perpetuate fraud here in Nigeria," he says.
But as other online businesses thrived and became trusted, so Jobberman thrived. Companies would dip their toe in the water with one or two postings and then when they trusted the site they would come back.
In 2012 some of Jobberman's clients wanted to use the site to find workers in Ghana and so the company took its first work outside Nigeria.
Two years later it says it is now the biggest online job site in Ghana as well as Nigeria.
The company is now expanding its reach to Kenya with a partner called Brighter Monday. The partnership also gives it a footprint in Uganda and Tanzania.
Some people find a job through the site without actually applying for one.
Amarachi Apakama uploaded her details and was approached by a company to take the position of executive assistant at a mobile phone content company.
"That really changed my life," she says. "It was a morale booster. It helped my confidence - the fact that my interests and my experience put together such a good fit that I didn't have to apply for the job."
Multiplier effect
"It is incredibly fulfilling helping people to become economically empowered by getting job placements via Jobberman," founder Ayodeji Adewunmi says.
"One company recruited more than 80% of their employees through the site. Another time, a director was able to hire a former colleague in the United States to come and work for his company here in Lagos. All amazing stories."
Olalekan Olude adds: "If you put food on the table by virtue of getting a job for someone, that person also fends for a mother, or a brother and you create a multiplier effect within that household.
"And anytime we get to hear of such stories, we are very, very happy. It motivates us, it makes us look forward into the future and try and get more people to get more jobs."
BBC
Related story: Nigeria's answer to amazon.com
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Boko Haram seize town in Borno, Nigeria
Nigeria's militant Islamist group Boko Haram has seized the key north-eastern town of Bama after fierce fighting with government forces, residents say.
Thousands of civilians have fled the town, along with soldiers, they added.
The military has not yet officially commented on the claim that it has lost control of Bama, the second biggest town in Borno state.
Last month, Boko Haram said it had established an Islamic state in areas it controls in north-eastern Nigeria.
If confirmed, the capture of Bama would be an extremely significant development and would raise concerns that Boko Haram's next target will be Maiduguri, the state capital about 70km (45 miles) away, says BBC Hausa service editor Mansur Liman in the capital, Abuja.
It would be the biggest town under Boko Haram control.
Residents told BBC Hausa that Boko Haram captured Bama after heavy fighting on Sunday and Monday.
The military had initially repelled Boko Haram's assault, but the group returned with reinforcements to seize the town, the residents said.
The militants, who travelled in armoured trucks, first took control of the military barracks, they added.
Soldiers and residents fled on foot, many of them walking all the way to Maiduguri, residents told the BBC.
Several security sources said Boko Haram had over-run much of Bama and there were heavy casualties on both sides, Reuters news agency reports.
About 70 militants had been killed, the Associated Press quoted security sources as saying.
On Monday, the military said on its Twitter account that the air force had been used to "repel and dislodge" Boko Haram from Bama.
The most recent census, in 2006, showed the town had a population of about 270,000.
An overnight curfew has been imposed in Maiduguri to prevent "infiltration" by militants, it added.
Boko Haram's five-year insurgency has intensified in recent months despite the deployment of thousands of extra troops to the worst-affected areas.
In April, the militants captured more than 200 girls from a boarding school in the town of Chibok, also in Borno state.
Countries such as China, France, the UK and US have sent military assistance to help find the girls but they have not yet been rescued.
BBC
Related stories: Nigerian government rejects Boko Harams 'caliphate' claim
Boko Haram claim to have established an 'Islamic state' in Northern Nigeria
Thousands of civilians have fled the town, along with soldiers, they added.
The military has not yet officially commented on the claim that it has lost control of Bama, the second biggest town in Borno state.
Last month, Boko Haram said it had established an Islamic state in areas it controls in north-eastern Nigeria.
If confirmed, the capture of Bama would be an extremely significant development and would raise concerns that Boko Haram's next target will be Maiduguri, the state capital about 70km (45 miles) away, says BBC Hausa service editor Mansur Liman in the capital, Abuja.
It would be the biggest town under Boko Haram control.
Residents told BBC Hausa that Boko Haram captured Bama after heavy fighting on Sunday and Monday.
The military had initially repelled Boko Haram's assault, but the group returned with reinforcements to seize the town, the residents said.
The militants, who travelled in armoured trucks, first took control of the military barracks, they added.
Soldiers and residents fled on foot, many of them walking all the way to Maiduguri, residents told the BBC.
Several security sources said Boko Haram had over-run much of Bama and there were heavy casualties on both sides, Reuters news agency reports.
About 70 militants had been killed, the Associated Press quoted security sources as saying.
On Monday, the military said on its Twitter account that the air force had been used to "repel and dislodge" Boko Haram from Bama.
The most recent census, in 2006, showed the town had a population of about 270,000.
An overnight curfew has been imposed in Maiduguri to prevent "infiltration" by militants, it added.
Boko Haram's five-year insurgency has intensified in recent months despite the deployment of thousands of extra troops to the worst-affected areas.
In April, the militants captured more than 200 girls from a boarding school in the town of Chibok, also in Borno state.
Countries such as China, France, the UK and US have sent military assistance to help find the girls but they have not yet been rescued.
BBC
Related stories: Nigerian government rejects Boko Harams 'caliphate' claim
Boko Haram claim to have established an 'Islamic state' in Northern Nigeria
Friday, August 29, 2014
Nigerians outraged at new government issued electronic ID cards branded with Master Card
Nigerians expressed shock and fury Thursday at how the Nigerian Government, through the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, would surrender a symbol of national sovereignty and pride to a foreign commercial organisation by not only sharing the biometrics of 170 million Nigerian to the firm but by also allowing the firm to boldly engrave its insignia on the IDs.
Many Nigerians raised the alarm over the implications of the agreement in an age that has seen intense data surveillance by the National Security Agency of the United States of America, Mastercard’s home country.
One commentator said allowing MasterCard’s emblem on the Nigerian National ID Card could only compare to the trans-Atlantic slave trade abolished in the nineteenth century. “The new ID card with a MasterCard logo does not represent an identity of a Nigerian.
It simply represents a stamped ownership of a Nigerian by an American company,” said Shehu Sani of the Civil Rights Congress. “It is reminiscent of the logo pasted on the bodies of African slaves transported across the Atlantic.” At the launching Thursday, the Nigerian Identity Management Commission said the cards, designed to also allow handlers effect payments and other financial transactions, will be issued to 13 million Nigerians.
At the completion of the pilot phase of the program, 100 million cards would have been issued, the commission said, describing the move as the “broadest financial inclusion program in Africa”. The cards will be issued to Nigerians, 16 years and older, and are expected to serve as voting cards in the 2019 elections.
President Jonathan, who flagged off the rollout, praised the outcome of a partnership between NIMC, MasterCard and Access Bank. “The card is not only a means of certifying your identity, but also a personal database repository and payment card, all in your pocket,” Mr. Jonathan said.
Under the partnership, the NIMC is the project leader, MasterCard provides payments technology, while Unified Payment Services Limited is payments processor. Cryptovision is the Public Key Infrastructure and Trust Services Provider, and the pilot issuing bank is Access Bank Plc.
The Identity Management Commission said it was working with other government agencies to harmonize all identity databases including the Driver’s License, Voter Registration, Health Insurance, Tax, SIM and the National Pension Commission into a single, shared services platform.
For a National ID card project jinxed for decades due to corruption and mismanagement, Nigerians welcomed what seemed like a breakthrough this time, several years after the first attempt at a national Identity Card project ended in fiasco.
But the optimism waned after it became clear Thursday the new ID cards, a key instrument recognised by the federal constitution, will not only bear the Coat of Arms and the Nigerian colours of green white green, but also the logo of MasterCard, a profit-driven private entity. “Nigeria’s colours and coat of arms is what should be there.
It is not an opportunity for advert for promoting companies,” said Eze Onyekpere, Lead Director Centre for Social Justice. “As far as we are concerned it cannot stand. It is not worth it if that’s what they have done.” Beyond national pride, many Nigerians spoke of the dire economic and security implications for Nigeria. “Clearly, there are National Security implication,” said Nasir El-Rufai, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. “All these data go to the American payment platform.” Mr. El-Rufai recalled that Malaysia was the first country to implement a general multipurpose ID card and that the country did so with its own resources and technology to protect its citizens.
Economically, analysts say, the deal also hands over all adult Nigerians as direct and compulsory customers of MasterCard. The US-based firm appeared so elated at the outcome of the contract that by Thursday, it hired a media consultant, African Media Agency, to publicise the landmark deal all over the world. MasterCard could not be reached immediately for comments.
Details of the partnership between the NIMC and MasterCard were unclear as of Friday. A former senior government official, well briefed about the process, said the Nigerian government may have adopted the Public Private Partnership model for the project, with MasterCard underwriting part of the cost of the deal.
Still, the former official, who asked not to be named, said it was unbelievable that Nigeria could not insist on fully funding such a project at any cost, considering its strategic importance to its sovereignty.
“It’s so scandalous that there are countries you present this to and they will be confused,” the official said. “I have never seen this done anywhere in the world.”
The Nigerian Identity Management Commission, NIMC, refused to comment on the concerns.
When contacted by PREMIUM TIMES late Thursday, a spokesperson dismissed the concern raised by our reporter.
“What is wrong with that (displaying MasterCard’s logo on the IDs)?” asked Ben Alofoje, the Assistant Director/Head Research and Strategy, who is the designated media person for the project.
A PREMIUM TIMES reader, Ola Onanugaola, said of the project, “Good idea but bad implementation. Why do we have to brand the e-ID card? Are these people aware of the huge economic and security implications of the branding. “Any country population database/information is too vital to be attached to any non-governmental organisation.”
Premium Times
Related story: Electronic ID cards launched in Nigeria
Nigeria reinstates 16,000 sacked doctors
The Minister of Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu, has announced the reinstatement of the over 16, 000 resident doctors sacked on August 13 .
The spokesperson to the Minister, Dan Nwomeh, in a tweet said the doctors reinstatement became yesterday (Thursday).
The resident doctors make up 70 per cent of the workforce in government’s hospitals.
The doctors were sacked after a month-long strike by the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, an association of all medical practitioners in Nigeria.
The doctors had been on indefinite strike following the non compliance of their “24 minimum demands ” by the Nigerian government. However, the NMA strike was called off on Sunday.
The NMA on calling off the strike gave the government condition that all sack resident doctors must be reinstated without punitive measures.
Mr. Nwomeh said the Federal Government has lifed the suspension of the Residency Training Programme, RTP in all federal hospitals.
This programme sees the resident doctors through their career in becoming consultants.
Following the lift of the suspension of the RTP all Chief Medical Directors, CMDs and Medical Directors, MDs of training centers have been directed to issue letters of reinstatement to the resident doctors.
Mr. Nwomeh said the letters will enable the doctors resume work. He also quoted the government as urging the reinstated doctors to view the reinstatement as a sign of goodwill by the administration.
He asked them to put greater commitment and dedication to their duties.
Premium Times
Related stories: President Goodluck Jonathan sacks striking doctors
24 reasons why Nigerian doctors are on strike
The spokesperson to the Minister, Dan Nwomeh, in a tweet said the doctors reinstatement became yesterday (Thursday).
The resident doctors make up 70 per cent of the workforce in government’s hospitals.
The doctors were sacked after a month-long strike by the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, an association of all medical practitioners in Nigeria.
The doctors had been on indefinite strike following the non compliance of their “24 minimum demands ” by the Nigerian government. However, the NMA strike was called off on Sunday.
The NMA on calling off the strike gave the government condition that all sack resident doctors must be reinstated without punitive measures.
Mr. Nwomeh said the Federal Government has lifed the suspension of the Residency Training Programme, RTP in all federal hospitals.
This programme sees the resident doctors through their career in becoming consultants.
Following the lift of the suspension of the RTP all Chief Medical Directors, CMDs and Medical Directors, MDs of training centers have been directed to issue letters of reinstatement to the resident doctors.
Mr. Nwomeh said the letters will enable the doctors resume work. He also quoted the government as urging the reinstated doctors to view the reinstatement as a sign of goodwill by the administration.
He asked them to put greater commitment and dedication to their duties.
Premium Times
Related stories: President Goodluck Jonathan sacks striking doctors
24 reasons why Nigerian doctors are on strike
Electronic ID cards launched in Nigeria
Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday launched a national electronic identity card scheme, which backers said would boost access to financial and government services in Africa's most populous nation.
The head of state was issued with his own card, which features a credit card-style chip with personal as well as biometric data and doubles up as a prepaid charge and debit card.
A number of Nigerian government agencies, from the police to the Independent National Electoral Commission, have embarked on their own separate ID card schemes.
But Jonathan said the plan was to eventually include details such as driving licence, health insurance, tax and pension information on the single card.
“The regime of duplication of biometric databases must now have to give way to harmonisation and unification with the e-ID scheme, which shall be the primary database,” he told reporters.
Only 32 percent of Nigeria's adult population are thought to have bank accounts, according to a 2012 study.
Nigeria's central bank has been pushing for a move away from cash to electronic payments and has tested a scheme in the financial capital, Lagos, with the help of private partners.
But the pilot project has not been plain sailing, with retailers and customers often facing frequent power supply and connectivity problems that slowed down transactions.
The cards will be available initially to Nigerians aged 16 and older and all residents in the country for more than two years.
Cardholders will be given a unique national identification number and have to provide fingerprint data, a photo and digital signature to cut the risk of fraud and embezzlement.
The scheme has so far cost about seven billion naira ($42 million), according to the National Identity Management Commission.
Financial services firm MasterCard, the scheme's payment technology provider, said 13 million cards would be available in the first phase, with more than 100 million to be issued in total.
“Nigeria is ready for this,” the firm's head of Sub-Saharan African operations, Daniel Mohin, told AFP.
“Nigeria has been left out of electronic financial payment for decades but now Nigeria is saying we want to take our rightful place in payment. There has not been a project of this magnitude... that's been rolled out at this scale.”
Africa's most populous nation has an unenviable reputation for fraud, particularly involving financial transactions.
But Monehin said the card was “secured with the best form of security that is available”.
Independent Online
Related stories: PayPal signs "tens of thousands" in first week of launch in Nigeria
The head of state was issued with his own card, which features a credit card-style chip with personal as well as biometric data and doubles up as a prepaid charge and debit card.
A number of Nigerian government agencies, from the police to the Independent National Electoral Commission, have embarked on their own separate ID card schemes.
But Jonathan said the plan was to eventually include details such as driving licence, health insurance, tax and pension information on the single card.
“The regime of duplication of biometric databases must now have to give way to harmonisation and unification with the e-ID scheme, which shall be the primary database,” he told reporters.
Only 32 percent of Nigeria's adult population are thought to have bank accounts, according to a 2012 study.
Nigeria's central bank has been pushing for a move away from cash to electronic payments and has tested a scheme in the financial capital, Lagos, with the help of private partners.
But the pilot project has not been plain sailing, with retailers and customers often facing frequent power supply and connectivity problems that slowed down transactions.
The cards will be available initially to Nigerians aged 16 and older and all residents in the country for more than two years.
Cardholders will be given a unique national identification number and have to provide fingerprint data, a photo and digital signature to cut the risk of fraud and embezzlement.
The scheme has so far cost about seven billion naira ($42 million), according to the National Identity Management Commission.
Financial services firm MasterCard, the scheme's payment technology provider, said 13 million cards would be available in the first phase, with more than 100 million to be issued in total.
“Nigeria is ready for this,” the firm's head of Sub-Saharan African operations, Daniel Mohin, told AFP.
“Nigeria has been left out of electronic financial payment for decades but now Nigeria is saying we want to take our rightful place in payment. There has not been a project of this magnitude... that's been rolled out at this scale.”
Africa's most populous nation has an unenviable reputation for fraud, particularly involving financial transactions.
But Monehin said the card was “secured with the best form of security that is available”.
Independent Online
Related stories: PayPal signs "tens of thousands" in first week of launch in Nigeria
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