Webhostville and the Journey so far – 1 of 3
Ever since I have returned to Nigeria, I have been wondering what the Tech scene in Nigeria is like. I did everything I could during and after my National Service to find out. Unfortunately, the people I knew and connected to were not offering useful information that could help me, I suppose they have no clue themselves. The Nigeria Tech scene was kind of obscure to me as a new arrival, this was 2013/2014. I did know about NITDA right from when I was in the UK and my target was to do my National Service with the Agency but it was not to be.
To start with, I knew that National Service will be very difficult for me considering the fact that I should have done it back in 2001 after my first degree. But then, I did not realise overseas graduates are also required to do National Service. Besides, I wanted to stay put in the UK instead of returning to live in Nigeria for personal and practical reasons. Contrary to my expectation, I found myself back in Nigeria years later, having to start all over again. Not only that, I also come to realise that National Service is mandatory to be able to participate fully in the society as a graduate. I dreaded the prospect, especially when I will have to serve with younger graduates, the oldest of whom will be about 10 years younger. I could have bought myself out or get an exemption, I believe the former is not right and the later, I have to dismiss for personal reasons. I really don’t have any other option but to muck in and prepare myself for the worst that could happen. Besides, doing the National Service will give me some insight into how the Nigerian system works and the experience will be valuable as I navigate myself through the process and procedures of doing things in Nigeria.
Hence, National Service became highly important for me and I wanted to do it where it will count a lot more for me. I went to Abuja for the NYSC registration process and I also visited the NITDA office with a letter requesting to do my National Service with them after I had been to the Ministry of Information and Communications with the same letter, from there I was directed to the department of E-government and from there to the Civil Service Recruitment Office. By the time I made all the rounds I was already tired and ready to return South. Despite all my efforts, I messed up the NYSC registration process, which actually require that I state my desired place of service as an option for overseas graduate. I wasn’t told this option existed and I did not see it during my application. If I had seen it or have been told, I wouldn’t have had to make all the rounds I made.
The application process was already completed and I will have to go through a transfer process from where I was posted to go to my desired place of service. I was already tired and fed-up due to the stress I have had to go through making all the rounds in Abuja. Fortunately, I was linked up with someone who was kind enough to help follow up on my request with NITDA. I was posted to Ondo state and my experience there at the camp and my place of service is such that I cannot recount in this writing. I got a call from Abuja asking to confirm my desire to transfer to NITDA for my service. Alas, I was already tired and fed up with the experience so far, my spirit was very low and I gave up. But not before I was emphatically told they provide no accommodation. I imagined the cost of accommodation in Abuja, the stress to look for one, the traveling expenses and the distance, upon that, the salary on offer will not cut it at all.