If you own an iPhone, iPod touch, or an iPad that isn’t jailbroken, you most likely get all of your apps from the AppStore on iTunes. And up until recently, there wasn’t a Nigerian AppStore so most of the shopping for apps is done in foreign stores. Well, fret no more for iTunes store is now open in Nigeria. Upon hearing this, you’d expect the Nigerian version of the store to be a little bit more localized and have content targeted towards Nigerians but it isn’t so.
First thing you notice is that there is no music. The last time I checked, iTunes was a music store. Right now, all you see is apps, podcasts and iTunes U (no Music, TV, Audiobooks, Movies, or Ping). Noticeably, some of the podcasts are content from this side of the world like the RCCG camp sermon and iTunes U still remains itself.
My major issue with the store is the currency. Unlike the Android App Market which has the cost of its apps listed in Naira, everything in the AppStore is in U.S. Dollars. This means that if you have been shopping the U.S. store, you don’t have a reason to switch over just yet.What is worthy of mention though, is the fact that iOS is now open to Nigeria too. This means that you can register to become an iOS or OSX developer as a Nigerian. This creates opportunities for Nigerian developers to flex their muscles and try to compete with the rest of the world for market space and revenue. Developers who want to lay their hands on XCode should get on this ASAP.
Eventually, the iTunes store might see some music, the AppStore currency might be in Naira, and other features expected of iTunes (e.g. Free Music Tuesday) might be added but for now, iTunes Naija is NOT ready for prime time.
 |
| click to enlarge |
 |
|
| click to enlarge |