It’s a popular cliché that the only constant thing in life is change. Lagos is no exception to the idea of change as a lot of things come and disappear. With the advent of technology, a lot of things even change quickly and they are only remembered with nostalgia.
In the past ten years, a lot has changed in Lagos and some caused by the desire of Lagosians to try something new. Others are government regulations that have changed the things that Lagosians use.
Here are some things that have changed in Lagos in the past ten years.
Cyber Café
10 years ago, cyber cafes were the meeting points for people who wanted to engage in any form of internet communication and engagements. They were almost in every streets and corners of the city. Online registrations for exams were exclusively carried out in cyber cafes. It was almost unthinkable to submit a job CV through a mobile phone. Internet fraud was also rampant and carried out in cyber cafes in Lagos. It got to a point when anyone seen in a cyber café in Lagos was considered an internet fraudster in search of a mugu to defraud. Now, only a sprinkle of cafes exists and these ones combine it with other forms of businesses. Mobile internet has taken over as the first point of connecting to the web.
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Keke Napep
The tricycle, popularly known as keke napep in Lagos has always been around but was seen as a last option as a means of transportation for Lagos commuters. With the ban on commercial motorcycle in most areas of the city, the keke napep suddenly began to flourish. It didn’t just replace the okada but also competed with commercial buses as a desired means of transportation. Ten years ago, no one would even have considered it as a serious means of getting around in Lagos.
Internet Cheats
Mobile data subscriptions have become affordable with different plans to suit one’s needs. In Lagos, it wasn’t the case ten years ago when there was a strong rush and desire for cheat codes that would be used to get internet access without paying. These codes usually didn’t last before they become inaccessible but Lagosians are quick to discover other sets of codes. The story is different now though with the advent of chap data subscriptions.
Video Club
Over 10 years ago, video clubs were scattered around Lagos and with the growing production of movies, there was at least a new movie to see every day. Weekends were usually busy days for people who managed these clubs as they had a lot of people to rent out movies to at a price and an agreement that these CDs would be returned on particular days. The trend of seeing movies has changed now as people either go to cinemas or see the movies in the home. Sadly, piracy has also contributed to the disappearance of video clubs.
Call Centres
Cheaper call rates and bonuses have changed he importance of call centres in Lagos. Before, people only had mobile phone to receive more calls than the ones they made. Instead they would make calls at call centres where they rate was N20 per minute.
Photo Editing
Photo editing was a novelty in Lagos ten years ago; Lagosians were fascinated by the possibility of having their pictures manipulated. It became a trend to take a picture just for the thrill of seeing oneself placed in a bottle or on a mountain. The trend has changed now though and more pictures are taken with mobile phones. Selfies and selfie sticks are becoming interest in picture taking.
Rechargeable lamp
Rechargeable lamps that also doubled as a radio players used to be important appliances in most Lagos homes. Some people even move around with it in what might be considered a sign of being in vogue. Now it has been relegated to the collecting point of old items as Lagosians now prefer mobile phones that combines all the work the old rechargeable lamps. Time indeed flies.
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