Noticed how quickly everything transformed right before our eyes? I will not speak for Nigeria as a whole because I have not been everywhere, but Lagos has shown me enough to talk.
I remember the days of provision shops. Supermarkets were rare and mostly on the Island, so those Igbo‑owned provision shops were our own supermarkets. Bright lights, neatly arranged shelves, variety of goods and even credit sales if you were a loyal customer. Today, many of those shops have grown into full supermarkets and we barely pause to appreciate how far they have come.
Then there were the yellow and black taxis. You would stand by the roadside or enter a garage and negotiate your fare. Mention Ajah and drivers would start calling one another to see who was brave enough to go. You would hear, “Ah, that place is far o. Baba Saamu, shey e ma lo si Ajah?” And Baba Saamu would look at you like you asked him to drive to the moon. Once you entered the cab, you had to endure the driver’s music, his rules and his unsolicited lectures.
I once asked a driver to stop so I could buy yoghurt and he told me how my father cannot afford a car like his. Haba.
Today, we order Bolt or Uber from our homes, track our rides and know the estimated fare before the car arrives. We have gone from searching for taxis to having taxis come to us.
Remember ORide, Gokada and the other bike‑hailing services? You could order a bike, wear your helmet and get to work without spending hours in traffic. Safety concerns and government restrictions changed that experience, but those services showed us how technology could simplify Lagos movement.
Even getting a SIM card used to be a full project. Long queues, forms and waiting. Today, network kiosks sit at almost every junction selling SIM cards for as low as N200, while marketers go from gate to gate bringing internet closer to our homes.
And then there is online shopping, which has changed my life personally.
My current tailor is someone I met on Jiji in late 2024. We have never met physically, yet she has my full measurements. My brother took them and I sent them to her. When I need an outfit, I send the style, transfer money for fabric, choose from the options she sends and wait for her to sew.
Today, we order Bolt or Uber from our homes, track our rides and know the estimated fare before the car arrives. We have gone from searching for taxis to having taxis come to us.
Remember ORide, Gokada and the other bike‑hailing services? You could order a bike, wear your helmet and get to work without spending hours in traffic. Safety concerns and government restrictions changed that experience, but those services showed us how technology could simplify Lagos movement.
Even getting a SIM card used to be a full project. Long queues, forms and waiting. Today, network kiosks sit at almost every junction selling SIM cards for as low as N200, while marketers go from gate to gate bringing internet closer to our homes.
And then there is online shopping, which has changed my life personally.
My current tailor is someone I met on Jiji in late 2024. We have never met physically, yet she has my full measurements. My brother took them and I sent them to her. When I need an outfit, I send the style, transfer money for fabric, choose from the options she sends and wait for her to sew.
I send a rider to pick up the clothes. We communicate by phone and WhatsApp and now follow each other on TikTok.
Think about that. I have maintained a working relationship with someone for nearly two years without meeting her face‑to‑face.
These days, I shop on Jiji, Jumia, AliExpress and Temu. When I need something from the market, I check online prices first, compare with Jumia, factor in transport and decide whether to buy online or go physically. Even for Computer Village, I explore online options and read reviews before stepping out.
Technology has changed how we shop, compare prices and make decisions.
Banking has also evolved. When fintechs like OPay, PalmPay and Moniepoint were new, transfers could leave both sender and receiver waiting for alerts. Sometimes money sent today would reflect tomorrow. The growth of these platforms has made digital payments easier and more accessible. Challenges remain, but the improvement is clear.
Of course, not everything has changed. Akara and pap on a Saturday morning in Lagos remain undefeated. Some traditions need no upgrade.
But when I look at how we shop, travel, communicate, bank and conduct business today, I appreciate how far we have come. Technology has made everyday tasks easier, connected us to people we may never meet physically and opened doors that once seemed impossible.
Technology can be misused, and not every change is perfect. But today, I am reflecting on the good it has brought and looking forward to what comes next.
Now tell me, what everyday Lagos experience do you remember that technology has completely changed?
Let us reminisce together.
Its RON
Think about that. I have maintained a working relationship with someone for nearly two years without meeting her face‑to‑face.
These days, I shop on Jiji, Jumia, AliExpress and Temu. When I need something from the market, I check online prices first, compare with Jumia, factor in transport and decide whether to buy online or go physically. Even for Computer Village, I explore online options and read reviews before stepping out.
Technology has changed how we shop, compare prices and make decisions.
Banking has also evolved. When fintechs like OPay, PalmPay and Moniepoint were new, transfers could leave both sender and receiver waiting for alerts. Sometimes money sent today would reflect tomorrow. The growth of these platforms has made digital payments easier and more accessible. Challenges remain, but the improvement is clear.
Of course, not everything has changed. Akara and pap on a Saturday morning in Lagos remain undefeated. Some traditions need no upgrade.
But when I look at how we shop, travel, communicate, bank and conduct business today, I appreciate how far we have come. Technology has made everyday tasks easier, connected us to people we may never meet physically and opened doors that once seemed impossible.
Technology can be misused, and not every change is perfect. But today, I am reflecting on the good it has brought and looking forward to what comes next.
Now tell me, what everyday Lagos experience do you remember that technology has completely changed?
Let us reminisce together.
Its RON
xoxoxoox
The joy of ordering stuff and receive it without stress is the real deal
ReplyDeleteI so much like the way you put words together... Nice one! 🌹 Smooth talker! I'm a fan
ReplyDeleteIf AI robots could help us replace all these roadside agberos, e go sharp!
Abuja don go many years ahead of Lagos in terms of this kind of lifestyle, but the cost of living there is quite expensive....