Why Some Tech Programs Feel Southern-Focused And Why That Is Not the Full Story
Many national tech programs appear to have more southern participants. This piece explains why it happens and why it has more to do with exposure than favoritism.
When a big national tech program is announced in Nigeria, one question often comes up.
“Why does it feel like more people from the South are involved?”
The FG–Ericsson Connect NextGen Hackathon, recently launched by the Federal Government in partnership with Ericsson, has brought this conversation back again. The program, unveiled under the supervision of Kashim Shettima, is open to young Nigerians across the country.
Yet, many participants, teams, and early conversations seem to be coming from places like Lagos, Port Harcourt, Enugu, and other southern cities.
So what is really happening?
First, it is important to clear one thing.
These programs are not designed to favour one region over another. There is no official rule that gives southerners an advantage. The difference people notice comes from something else entirely, which is exposure.
Over the years, many southern states have slowly built tech environments. Tech hubs, bootcamps, innovation communities, university tech groups, and startup spaces have become more common; because of this, young people in these areas are more likely to hear about tech opportunities early.
They are also more familiar with words like hackathon, product development, mentorship, and demo day. So when a program like Connect NextGen appears, it feels less scary and more achievable.
This is basically not about intelligence; it is about what people have been exposed to.
Another factor is proximity. Many mentorship sessions, networking events, and ecosystem activities often happen in cities like Lagos or Port Harcourt. Being closer to these spaces makes participation easier. It also makes collaboration faster.
This is why it can feel like southern Nigeria is moving faster in tech, not because others are lagging behind, but because the environment has allowed some regions to develop for longer.
Although one truth remains constant.
Tech opportunities emerge where systems already exist, and when new national programs arrive, they naturally attract people who are already prepared.
The goal now should not be blame or comparison; it should be expanded because when exposure spreads evenly, participation will too, and Nigeria’s tech growth will truly reflect the whole country, not just a few regions.
