Interview with Loy Okezie; Startupsnigeria Founder and Author: loyokezie.com

Monday, August 31st, 2009 at 7:36 pm

It’s time for yet another exclusive interview and this time I have another BIG NAME; Loy Okezie. Loy is the founder of Startups Nigeria, a blog that showcase startups, technology and innovations from Nigerian. He’s a Blogger with lots of experience, a renowned Startup analyst and social media strategist. He also writes loyokezie.com.

Here is an incisive interview I recently had with Loy Okezie. I know you will enjoy it.

loy okezie Interview with Loy Okezie; Startupsnigeria Founder and Author: loyokezie.com

DE Please tell us about yourself; background, interest etc.?

Loy: I am a self-motivated, fun-loving, caring, energetic and highly intuitive individual. I strongly believe in the power of learning, sharing and growing.

I have a background in Business and Strategic Marketing with several years of experience in training, research and consulting with several organizations.

I have a strong passion for people, technology and startups and consistently seek ways to engage with like-minded people, embrace new technologies and empower early-stage startups.

DE We’ll also like you to tell us about your site/blog/forum/startup?

Loy: I recently started a blog at www.loyokezie.com with the goal of writing about companies and their use of new media technologies. The blog also provides advice on social media, startups and careers.

DE Like how long have you been involved in this online thing and how old is your site/blog/forum/startup?

Loy: I’ve been online since 2000 and started engaging with online communities such as TakingITGlobal since 2003. In late 2007, I started blogging and following influential bloggers such as Darren Rowse of Problogger.net and Michael Arrington of TechCrunch. In April 2008, I founded Startups Nigeria, as a blog that covers startups, technology and innovations from Nigeria. Today, the site has become one of the largest startup communities in Africa.

DE What was the inspiration behind the creation of the site/blog/forum/startup?

Loy: Having followed the global technology scene for some years and watching trends in the African tech and startup scene, I became obsessed with the idea of tracking local technology, startup and social media news from Nigeria and Africa.

I was inspired by Sturvs, Nigeria’s social bookmarking site like Digg. At the time, it was one of the few Web 2.0 sites in Nigeria. I probably reviewed or mentioned them a thousand times and I was criticized for giving out too much link love. Lol. Some even thought that Temi of Sturvs was the owner of Startups Nigeria. Disclosure: The Sturvs team is not a part of the Startups Nigeria Team.

DE How have you been able to keep the inspiration alive?

Loy: Well, I have a very strong passion for writing, startups and technology. Again, working with and meeting people with similar passions have made it possible.

DE I believe you rose to limelight with StartupsNigeria.com, can you briefly say something on the blog’s sudden disappearance and the effect “if there’s any” it had on your business model (negative or positive)?

Loy: You’re right. As sensitive as this issue has become, I would not be able to share my thoughts about the incident. However, I believe I’ve been expressive enough, especially through my recent write-ups about the issue.

DE As a Nigerian renowned startup analyst, what are your views on the current trends and happenings within the Nigerian Internet Startup arena?

Loy: I think a lot is really happening in the industry. We’ve seen some startups fail particularly because they didn’t have clear focus and strategy. Some other startups copy Facebook or from their friend’s book. Now I’m talking to those social networking sites out there.

Last year, I recommended that some social network owners collaborate with others to create robust platforms and applications that would get the attention of huge companies and attract the attention of global media sites.

Personally, I’m yet to see a startup with ground-breaking technology that can compete with global startups. I think what Nigerian technopreneurs lack is the ability and know-how to create solutions to the problems and needs of a massive audience.

Most of the leading global startups such as YouTube started because their founders identified a need and created a solution to fill a need. Do we have problems that can be solved using web and mobile technology in Nigeria and Africa? Absolutely!

Until web entrepreneurs identify solutions to the local problems, and start creating applications or providing a service that meets these needs, then we can start seeing innovative startups that could get the world talking.

DE You are also a Nigerian blogger, so what would be your reactions to the current trends within the Nigerian Blogosphere, take for instance the
FasteCash Blogging Contest, etc?

Loy: Well, I think this is very typical. Since Nigerians love making fast money, the initiators of the contest have focused on that niche area through a blogging contest.

For one thing, such a contest will not improve the quality of Nigeria’s blogging industry, as making money is not the primary goal of blogging.

Blogging is about building authority, credibility and audience around a particular topic or subject of interest and eventually making money in the process.

That said, I’ll encourage anyone who wants to succeed as a blogger to read tips about blogging from Dayo or contact me for blog consulting.

DE How do you think the Nigerian Web Space can be expanded/improved to the level that it would exert great positive impact on both the
African/Global Web Space?

Loy: First, we need a community that would foster healthy discussions on the emerging web, mobile and startups industry. Second, we need to collaborate with other entrepreneurs in Nigeria and Africa. Third, we need to build credibility as it is the most important quality investors are looking for.

DE Do you have any ongoing project(s) that we should watch out for?

Loy: As soon as the new Startups Nigeria platform is launched, I’ll be focusing on a few other projects that have been on my radar.

DE What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneur/bloggers or people out there hoping to build a successful business model like yours?

Loy: Be passionate. Be persistent. Be prayerful.

DE At dayoedunjobi.com we are passionate about readers’ opinion, that’s why we don’t mind exposing ourselves to criticism. So, do you have any criticism against the blog or the author and what advise do you have for us? Please, say it as it is, we can handle it!

Loy: I’d rather leave a suggestion on your blog

DE On a final note, what would you like to tell your users, fans, clients, readers and/or followers?

Loy: It’s been a great pleasure having them around as stakeholders. It’ll be more fun in the next months. Thank you folks!

DE Thank you very much, for your time and we wish you the best of luck!

Loy: Thank you too and all the best with your blog

If there’s something you need to ask Loy, please post a comment and you can be sure of a response.!