In Nigeria, any young man seen with a laptop was often immediately labelled as a Yahoo boy. This prevalent misconception has taken root in our culture due to misinformation or inadequate education. Many of us are still striving to break free from this damaging stereotype.
Access to timely information was limited in those days. If someone had a smartphone and spent a significant amount of time on it, they would unfairly be branded as a Yahoo boy.
While some individuals with rapid access to information were engaging in Forex trading, BTC investments, and securing freelance opportunities, others felt they had to conceal their laptop use to avoid being unfairly accused of engaging in fraudulent activities.
In 2021, I engaged in a conversation with friends, and one of them expressed concern about his younger brother’s choice to pursue a Higher National Diploma (HND) without knowing which skill to focus on.
I confidently asserted that the best direction for him would be to prioritize digital skills and pursue education in ICT. However, my suggestion was met with scepticism and fear, assuming that he might end up pursuing unethical activities. I was unable to provide a full explanation as I, too, was navigating through the challenges of keeping up with the ever-evolving ICT landscape.
On another occasion, while speaking with an elder family member, he remarked about young men with laptops being involved in fraudulent activities. I silently acknowledged his statement as I, too, spent considerable time using my laptop for freelancing work. This interaction reaffirmed how deeply ingrained this cultural stereotype had become.
I firmly believe that an estimated 60% of Nigerian graduates lack a solid understanding of fundamental ICT concepts, despite having completed their degrees. When I addressed this concern with another friend, it was dismissed, attributing everything to Yahoo’s activities. This reveals how some individuals are misinformed while others are simply uninformed due to the perpetuation of this cultural stereotype.
Today, I find myself in a country where laptops are indispensable for daily life as nearly everything is conducted online. At times, we even use our laptops as pillows after being consumed by an overwhelming workload.
Despite the wealth of opportunities in the tech industry, many continue to struggle to keep abreast of technological advancements due to this lingering cultural stigma.
Unless we evolve our mindset and cease unfairly labelling every young person with a laptop as a Yahoo boy, Nigeria will not be fully ready for the impending digital transformation.
