The effect of the Covid19 may not all be bad news afterall, with the likes of Olajide Philips, a techpreneur who had brought hope alive through his novel app, FINLIG, an online school of learning and earning.
Finlig means “Financial Learning Group”, a platform designed to teach anyone digital skills that are marketable for just N1, 000 with smartphone and also earn 50% on every referral.
Philips, currently the CEO of PITXH FORTH Solutions, said: “During the global lockdown, I took it upon myself to train young people on WhatsApp on different digital skills such as graphic design, 3d animation, Whiteboard and so on, using the smartphone. As time went on, the number of students grew to 700 people across 9 different WhatsApp groups.
“After a while, it was becoming so stressful and demanding. People were joining from different states in Nigeria and outside Nigeria. One day, precisely May 20, 2020, I was on my couch, thinking of how to help students that are currently at home due to Covid-19, then, the idea of FINLIG dropped into my mind.The idea was to build a school portal and put all those training on the website and let everyone have access to them anywhere and anytime.”
Speaking on his expertise, he said his passion for Information Technology, prompted him to get trained as a Web developer, Artificial intelligent expert, Digital marketer, business coach, content developer as well as creative artist.
Phillips holds an IBM certification, a diploma in music technology, a first degree in Business Management and Theology, as well as a Masters in leadership and theology.
Explaining how he built FINLIG, he said: “Since I already have the knowledge of website development and graphic designing, it took me less than 7days to complete the website and put all the tutorials together after which I got a friend who assisted with the application.”
On what stands the app out, he explained that FINLIG is a digital platform that avails anyone with over 20 digital skills that are marketable for just less than $4 (N1000) and all skills are learnt from your smartphone making it easy for those on- the-go.
He further explained that FINLIG’s uniqueness is the affordability of the training and the leverage on smartphone which also provides an avenue for students to earn. He said: “They can buy data as well as attend all the courses. Earning however is made possible by inviting friends to come and learn on the platform.
“Nigerian students currently at home due to Covid-19 can get positively busy with something worthwhile than wasting precious time on social media.” He said.
Explaining the project’s contribution to Nigeria’s Economy, he said it’s all about empowering Nigerian youths with digital skills that makes them globally relevant.
Speaking on challenges, he said currently the only challenge his earning trust from people on social media, He said: “People still can’t believe this is true that we are teaching over 20 digital skills for just 1k and on smartphone. But with time we will overcome this.
On Post-Covid aspirations, he explained: “My vision is to make this online school available for all Nigerian students in Senior Secondary.
Projecting the future of his innovation, Philips said, “FINLIG is an idea that hopes to reach all African countries and spread to nations of the world. We had three students from UK who joined one of the classes during the lockdown, so the future is good and by God’s grace we are there already. We have other features we are rolling out under the FINLIG umbrella such online Store, Fintech solutions and other amazing features.”
The tech expert, advising budding Entrepreneurs in Nigeria that they should not give up on their dreams no matter how long it takes having been in IT industry since 2013 despite several setbacks.
Philips is hopeful of some form of support from government at all levels and would wish that the Federal Government would make internet service available for all like other developed countries. “I believe that if that is sorted, our digital idea will reach the world from Nigeria.” He concluded.
According to one of the current users of the novel platform who attested to learning a great deal from the FINLIG platform, learning a digital skills has never been this affordable.
