Sports Betting Contributes to Computer Literacy Development in Nigeria.

Unevenly distributed through his hair are streaks of grey hair, and blending into the noisy surroundings was his well-worn Ankara attire, hinting a long hours spent in the space.  

It's quite unusual for individuals of Temitope’s age group to be seen navigating the interface of a computer system in grassroots communities in Nigeria.  The 55-year-old would later tell me the story behind his exemption. A retired security officer from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Temitope – like many of his contemporaries – are usually in search of entertainment, which he found in sports and sports betting. 

“I started betting when there was no computer,” he explained. 

Since the 1920s, sports betting has been introduced in different forms and models to Nigerians. The companies in the industry have continuously improved their offering, through the integration of computer systems and other digital gadgets significantly and increasingly being introduced to every sector in the global world. 

Betting Shops as Unconventional Computer Learning Centers

Temitope, who stopped his education after first grade, four decades ago, continued his story by describing how hopeless his chances of operating a computer are.  “When the advent of computer-based betting came. I still relied on the bettor's shop owners to navigate,” he told sports betting news site SportsBoom.com.

“But they encouraged me to learn: so I decided to give it a try. Now, I can manage the basic mouse and keyboard well because I bet every day. I play only soccer because I love football.” 

More than a decade ago, betting shops began to provide supplementary computer systems for bettors to access and explore, for betting purposes, giving individuals like Temitope, the opportunity to operate one. 

A younger version of Temitope is Hassan Lawal, a 22-year-old secondary school leaver residing in a small town in North Central Nigeria. Lawal began betting after finishing secondary school, two years ago.

He has been actively learning carpentry in anticipation of gathering enough funds to attend Kwara State Polytechnic for a two-year National Diploma course in Architectural design.  

An obvious challenge, aside from the funds, was digital literacy which is a pre-requisite to his successful entrance and even sustainability in the tertiary institution. His secondary school had no practical sessions in computer studies since the school itself had no ownership of a computer. 

Despite the deficiencies, he appreciates the betting shop along his street for helping him grab the knowledge needed to utilise the mouse before going for the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) digital examination – compulsory for entry into tertiary institutions in Nigeria. 

“When I get to the polytechnic, I will also work not only to sustain myself but also to get a computer. Maybe I could even become a Tech Bro.” Tech Bro is a catchphrase in Nigeria used to describe young men in the technology industry. 

Now, Lawal is drifting out of the 85 per cent of Nigerian graduates who lack digital skills according to a survey by an online education technology outfit, GetBundi. 

Bridging the Digital Divide Through Betting Outlets 

This overwhelming gap stems from digital inequality and poverty. The World Bank's report revealed that in Nigeria, computer ownership among households is less than 20 per cent, which is disturbing. Accessibility to basic computer education is possible through two major mediums which are computer schools and mutual education. People usually opt for the latter due to the high cost of computer schools. 

Recognized under mutual education are betting outlets with supplementary computers which has allowed individuals like Temitope to say, “Computers are no aliens to me”. 

Makinde Ishola, the Bet9ja agent who supervises the betting shop where Temitope and his friends patronize and place their bets,  says that he intentionally trains them for his benefit, unconsciously impacting skills.  

According to him, many bettors visit the betting shop to explore several games including virtual and soccer games. Ishola said, “They (trained bettors) have relieved us of stress and now, they can go through it alone with little supervision.”

Samuel Ashaolu, a graduate of computer science from Federal University Oye-Ekiti states that there is an obvious issue of the digital divide between low and high-income countries which is reflected in businesses and the economy generally.