The smartphone pandemic in Northern Nigeria: Amisplacement of priorities, by Saleh Farouq Gagarawa
In recent years, Northern Nigeria has witnessed a rising trend that has silently morphed into a societal crisis: the smartphone pandemic. Across cities like Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Maiduguri, young people particularly females are investing staggering amounts of money in the latest smartphones.
For many, the pursuit of flashy devices has become an obsession, with some spending hundreds of thousands of naira, and in extreme cases, millions, on a single phone. Alarmingly, this is happening in a region battling high unemployment rates, economic stagnation, and growing poverty.
The Rising Culture of Smartphones Over Substance
The smartphone craze has become a symbol of status, validation, and social acceptance. Social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat have fueled this obsession, where self-worth is increasingly measured by online presence and the quality of one’s device.
Many of these young people do not have jobs, thriving businesses, or sustainable sources of income. Yet, the pressure to keep up with peers and online trends drives them to make economically irrational choices.
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The trend is especially prevalent among young women, some of whom have resorted to trading their bodies for cash or gifts just to acquire the latest iPhone or Samsung Galaxy model. This not only exposes them to moral and health risks but also perpetuates cycles of exploitation and vulnerability.
The Dark Side: Crime and Smartphone Snatching
The smartphone pandemic is not just a matter of misplaced priorities; it has also become a security concern. Kano State, for instance, has witnessed a surge in smartphone snatching incidents, often perpetrated by young men desperate to join the smartphone bandwagon. These thefts are not always harmless; some have led to violent confrontations and even loss of lives.
The pattern is clear: when youth are unemployed but fixated on luxury gadgets, some resort to illegal activities to fund their desires, further straining security and increasing crime rates in urban centers.
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The Cost of Misplaced Priorities
The craze for expensive smartphones reflects a misplacement of priorities in a region that urgently needs economic rejuvenation. The funds channeled into luxury devices could instead be seed capital for small businesses, vocational training, or cooperative ventures.
For example:
The ₦500,000–₦1,000,000 often spent on the latest iPhones could start a small poultry farm, fashion brand, or POS business.
Instead of fueling vanity and social media validation, such investments would generate employment, reduce dependence, and contribute to the local economy.
If even a fraction of Northern youths redirected their passion and resources toward entrepreneurship and skill acquisition, the ripple effects would be transformative:
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Lower unemployment rates
Reduced crime and phone snatching incidents
Declining poverty levels
Greater regional stability and security
Changing the Narrative
Tackling the smartphone pandemic requires awareness campaigns, community education, and parental involvement. Religious and traditional leaders can play a vital role in reshaping societal values, emphasizing dignity in labor over vanity in lifestyle.
Moreover, government and NGOs should create accessible youth empowerment programs, micro-loans, and training hubs to channel youthful energy into productive ventures. By giving young people a sense of purpose and economic direction, the region can curb the dangerous spiral of materialism and crime.
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Conclusion
The smartphone pandemic in Northern Nigeria is more than a technological trend it is a socioeconomic misstep. While smartphones are tools of communication and opportunity, their reckless pursuit without financial stability is fueling poverty, crime, and social decay.
If Northern youths can shift their focus from luxury consumption to productive investment, they will not only uplift themselves but also spark a broader wave of economic transformation. The time to swap vanity for value is now.
Saleh Farouq Gagarawa, based in Abuja, is the Executive Director
Salfar Sickle Aid Initiative and can be reached at
salehgagarawafaruq@gmail.com
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