WiFi, Woes, and Wallets: The Nigerian Techie in a Broken Economy

In recent years, the Nigerian economy has become a source of daily frustration for most citizens, not just the Nigerian techie. From the noise of social media to rowdy rants in public transport, from market stalls to tech Slack channels, the complaints are loud and consistent. Everything is more expensive, nothing is working, and everyone is tired. It’s not just a passing phase; it’s a mood, a reality, a national condition.

Amidst all this, there’s a peculiar paradox brewing: the tech industry is growing fast. Startups are springing up, global remote jobs are reasonably within reach, and Nigerian developers are getting international recognition. But beneath the shine, the average tech worker in Nigeria is quietly navigating an exhausting economy, one riddled with crippled infrastructure, rising costs, and mental burnout.

So, what does it really mean to be a Nigerian techie in 2025? Can innovation truly thrive amidst the chaos of a failing system? And at what cost?

Tech Boom, Wallet Gloom

Nigeria’s tech scene is buzzing. Every other week, there’s news of a funding round, a new startup, or some big-shot accelerator picking up a Nigerian idea. On paper, it looks like tech is winning.

But the Nigerian techie? They’re not feeling rich.

A junior developer earning ₦500,000 in 2017 could do a lot with that money. As a matter of fact, that was the magnet that drew lots of young, hardworking Nigerians towards tech. The promise was that if they put all their energy into learning and perfecting these skills, they could do very well for themselves financially.

In 2025? That money now barely covers rent and food in cities like Lagos, Uyo, or Abuja. Internet bills are up. Power supply is still unreliable, and alternative energy isn’t cheap. That means more money spent on fuel and generators, inverters, or co-working spaces.

One developer put it like this:

“I get paid in naira. My tools are priced in dollars. My problems are priced in Lagos.”

“I get paid in naira. My tools are priced in dollars. My problems are priced in Lagos.”

—Ayomide (Web Developer)

When Hustle Meets Hard Times

For many Nigerian techies, the economy isn’t just a background issue — it’s an everyday obstacle. Rising costs have forced people to rethink how, when, and even why they work.

Iniobong, a project manager who lives in Abeokuta, summed it up plainly:

“The inflated data rate, prices of gadgets, utility bills — it’s slowed down my pace. It’s also caused a refocus: minimal interest in volunteering or engaging in less profitable endeavors.”

She’s not alone. Many in tech have had to cut back on passion projects or unpaid opportunities, not because they don’t care, but because survival is a priority. Techies suffer burnout, not just from long hours spent working but also from constantly calculating how to make things stretch.

Morenikeji, a frontend developer in Lagos, described the economic pressure as a direct hit to productivity.

“Power supply is a big issue. I spend too much on fuel or having to go to the closest workspaces. My work is remote, but I’m limited by the hours I spend at the café or workspace, or even on fuel. Everything just costs more now, and it slows me down.”

She also pointed to skyrocketing data costs and dollar exchange rates that make essential tools almost out of reach.

“There’s the ridiculous increase in data rates. Dollar rates also make it hard to buy tools or pay for services I need.”

The impact isn’t abstract for the Nigerian techie. It’s the gig they can’t take. The course they can’t afford. The side project they’ve had to shelve.

“Power supply is a big issue. I spend too much on fuel or having to go to the closest workspaces. My work is remote, but I’m limited by the hours I spend at the café or workspace, or even on fuel. Everything just costs more now, and it slows me down.”

— Morenikeji, Frontend Developer

Tech Dreams, Tight Pockets

The idea that tech is the golden escape route is popular. And to be fair, it’s not wrong — tech does offer opportunity. But it’s not free. Learning a new skill still comes with a price tag, and for many young Nigerians, that price keeps going up.

Esther, a fresh graduate currently observing her National Youth Service year in Ibadan while learning a non-code tech skill, Business Analysis, knows this firsthand.

“As regards the economic instability in the country, learning a tech skill is a bit challenging because of the current exchange rate of the dollar to naira, as well as the prices of goods and services. The cost of paying the tuition fee, the cost of data subscription, and the cost of fuel as a result of the poor power supply in the country, amidst other factors, may affect learning a tech skill in Nigeria.”

She’s trying, but she’s not alone in the struggle. There are thousands like her, hungry, motivated, and ambitious, but slowed down by realities they mostly can’t control.

Even I’m not exempt. My younger brother is juggling a data science course while also chasing a university degree. The data demands alone are wild. In fact, while writing this very article, I got another one of his now-usual messages since the now-famous data subscription hike: “Egbon, abeg I need data.”

It’s a recurring ask. One that echoes across many Nigerian households where multiple people are trying to stay afloat and stay online.

The Nigerian Techie: Still in Demand, Still Showing Up

Despite everything — the high cost of living, inconsistent power, unstable internet, inflated tuition — Nigerian techies haven’t stopped showing up. They might be tired, frustrated, or even burned out. But they’re still building, still learning, still putting themselves out there.

The global demand is still there. Despite Nigerian developers, designers, product managers, and data scientists continue to land international gigs, freelance contracts, and remote jobs. The world has noticed the talent, and that’s not changing anytime soon. The local ecosystem is growing too, and as the economy recovers, more techies will be able to get more out of their earnings.

Plus, there are support systems. Platforms like AltSchool Africa, Decagon, Utiva, and others are doing what they can. Many of them partner with international organizations to offer scholarships and subsidized learning opportunities. The Nigerian government, under Minister Bosun Tijani and the NITDA, have also been making moves geared at training and developing Nigerian tech talents at a subsidized cost. It’s not always enough, but it’s something. And for some people, it’s been life-changing.

So yes, it’s harder now. Much harder than it used to be. But it’s not hopeless.

What This Means for the Economy

Now, here’s the part that needs to be said as clearly as possible. If Nigeria’s economy is in distress, its young, tech-savvy population is one of its few lifelines. These are people who are not just reacting to the system; rather, they’re constantly trying to work around it, build alternatives, and export value to the world. But they’re not superheroes. They can’t keep powering through endlessly without support.

The cost of learning and working in tech shouldn’t feel like an elite pursuit. Not in a country where the average person is trying to survive. If the ecosystem is to grow, then infrastructure — power, internet, education… all the necessities must meet people halfway. Otherwise, we risk losing potential innovators to burnout or forced migration. We already have a term for the latter: japa.

“The cost of learning and working in tech shouldn’t feel like an elite pursuit. Not in a country where the average person is trying to survive. If the ecosystem is to grow, then infrastructure — power, internet, education… all the necessities must meet people halfway. Otherwise, we risk losing potential innovators to burnout or forced migration. We already have a term for the latter: japa.“

—Emmanuel Essang

Still, there’s hope. The resilience is there. The talent is obvious. And even in the middle of economic frustration, Nigerian techies are showing up, building portfolios, contributing to open source, mentoring others, and dreaming bigger. They just need a country that can keep up with their ambition. 

Will Nigeria ever grow to become that country, or will every techie be condemned to the japa route? For the sake of our country and its future, I hope it’s the former.