General News
Archos Eyes about 40% Nigeria’s Smart Devices Market -Olukotun
Ademola Olukotun is the country manager, Archos in Nigeria. He is a seasoned product manager with a vast experience in start-up businesses to a world class standard.
Ademola was a foundation staff of Visafone Communication Limited (CDMA Network in Nigeria). He later joined Etisalat Nigeria as one of the foundation staff and also commenced the Devices department of company.
He also worked with Airtel Network Limited as Manager Devices & Partnership and also was a key player in starting up SOLO Phone Nigeria Limited before joining Archos S.A in 2015 to manage the Nigeria business for the company.
In this interview with peter ugwu, he explains Archos’ uniqueness and business opportunities in Nigeria.
User perception of Archos products
Before speaking on that, I want to make it clear how phone distribution in Nigeria is structured. We have the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) like Archos, the distributors made up of companies that buy the products and resell to the retailers.
Retailers are closer to the consumers. Why I used that analogy as prelude to answering how the perception has been, is that these partners have their ways of reviewing a product. For instance, the retailers the likes of Slot, Micro Station, etc., most customers have one time or the other patronised either of these retailers.
They have actually accepted us well. The reason being that, most their MDs or CEOs who are widely traveled, have come in contact with Archos before we launched in Nigeria. So, it was not a ‘new product’ to them when we came in.
It gave us an edge and made our marketing very easy. We have been in business since 1988 and about 80% of them have come in contact with us. On the customers’ perspective, we have cutting-edge SkYous (models) of smart devices.
We launched into the market six smartphones and two tablets. That was very interesting and huge for a new entrant. We deliberately did that; to give customers verities to choose from.
They might same operating system, but different in terms of pricing, resolutions, screen size, etc. Archos pedigree created attention and the verities created exceptions.
As the Company to produce the first android tablet and have partnership with Google, will tell you that we have the intention to replicate that in this market too.
Unique Selling Proportion
Some people are already comparing the devices with others in the market and are beginning to see the differences.
For instance, certain brands would promise our entertainment freak youths the opportunity to download music; video and play on the go, but looking at the capacity of the device you will tell the experiences have not been as promised.
In Archos, the unique selling point in the area of entertainment is that you can squeeze or zip-up contents, creating room for more and enjoy them at your convenient.
Talking about our slogan ‘Entertainment You Way’ is basically that part of human life today is ‘tied’ to devices.
I can’t imagine myself doing away with my phone or laptop or tablet. What we have done is to make the gadget to be part of us; we have the best of them in terms of video, music, and getting additional accessories.
Archos Connected Objects and Accessories
Apart from the smartphones, tablets, we have connected objects that give users different experiences.
For instance the virtual reality glasses can be used to watch 3HD videos; which is first of its kind. The headsets come in various SkYous.
We have one for the bourgeois; serving like a head-warmer. With it, you can receive your calls, play music. It has multi-functional dimension. They are still part of the things that set us apart in the market.
Why Introducing Six smartphones In Same Market, Same Day?
Yes, the smartphones are predominately using Android operating system. In other words, there are basic features that every Andorid phone must have, like emails, social media-Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, WasApp, BBM, among others.
If anyone is launching an Android phone and tells you these are unique features, it is not the brand rather the operating system. Why we introduced such number of phones, for emphasis, was aimed at creating opportunity for every class of people in the society to have the purchasing power.
All of them have the social media features, however, what differentiates them are the specs such as screen size, memory size, ROM, etc. we are giving everybody opportunity to have a feel of Archos.
Distribution Strategies
From the onset, we have been to the right phone retails hotspots like Slot, Micro Stations, and other the biggest distributor in the market, called ‘Let Me Distribute’ and they are growing.
Slot, for instance has over 100 locations across the country, but there are still volatile areas that need to be monitored before pushing to those areas.
We expect that with the new government, things will get settled and businesses will thrive in those areas too.
And as the country manager, I have the vision of making Archos products the choice and preferred brand of smart devices for all classes in Nigeria within a record time. What do I mean by this? Archos plans flooding Nigeria with quality and affordable products.
And Archos intends to create a close up and personal relationship with Nigeria and Nigerians, so whatever will impact positively and move Nigeria forward, we are ready to do anything to make that work. Not for myself but also for the future of the new generation.
Archos is poise to garner between 30%- 40% Market share of the Nigeria smart devices market (Smartphones, tablets and accessories). In Nigeria today, 80% of the network users uses feature phones (purely low end phones without data capabilities). In numbers, this means we have approximately 80 million phone users using feature phones. These feature phone users can gradually step up to use Smartphones.
This shows that there is a lot of opportunity to tap into the market. With the affordable Smartphones from Archos, quality will never be compromised and also customer services will also be key to us.
How do we achieve this herculean task, we intend to provide affordable Smartphones and tablets for Nigerian with world class quality. Secondly back up all our sales with warranty and after sales service.
We are willing to invest heavily into the economy so we are not ready to quite in a hurry. So our spread will be strategic and steady.
Partnerships
In the era of bring Your Own Device (BYOD), it makes sense to partner organizations, especially in the area of smartphone adoption. What we are doing presently is bundle educational contents in some of our tablets, exclusively for schools.
It is in interesting at this time most schools are phasing out ‘hard’ libraries and focus on digital or e-libraries. So, as the world is evolving we are following the trends too. It is a work in progress; hopefully, the schools will start using Archos devices in no distant time.
ARCHOS Products and NCC Type Approved, SON Certification
Yes. All Archos devices have gone through both certifications. I will like to state categorically that Archos is not just a green horn in the telephone industry.
Archos has been existing, since 1988 with so many milestones for instance Archos is the first brand to launch the first Android tablet in the world.
Over time, we have strategically made an in route into so many Countries like France, Poland, Senegal, Russia, United States of America, Spain, England etc. Archos is one of the leading EU brands. So whatever we do, we adhere strictly to the ethics of the sector and Nigeria is no exception.
We respect the rules guiding every market where we operate. So, our products: smart phones – Archos 40C Titanium, Archos 50B Archos Platinum, Archos 50b Oxygen, Archos 50b Neon (All Smartphones) and for tablets, we have Archos 101b XS2 tablets(WIFI only), Archos 101 Xenon, Archos 80b Xenon; these are type approved.
After Sales Support
We understand the important of after sells services. That is why we are partnering Cellular Service Logistics (CSL), to ensure our phone; tablets users get the best services. We have categories of services too.
The first is based on cases of warranty; if it happens to be manufacturer’s default, we do outright replacement instantly. Other aspect entails minor damages or slipping in water, they (CSL) have the pact.
They have been in the business for donkey years. Their spreads covers major areas in the country and can be easily reached.
Breathe Life Foundation partnered with Teach Nigeria Fellow, Ms Bunmi Rotimi, to deliver a respiratory health awareness session for over 200 senior students of Cleggs Girls High School, Surulere, Lagos.
The session equipped students aged 15–19 years with practical knowledge about the risks associated with smoking, vaping, and shisha, while challenging the misconception that shisha is a safer alternative to cigarettes or other substances.
Through an engaging and interactive discussion, students explored the influence of peer pressure and learned practical strategies for making healthier, more informed lifestyle choices.
They also gained a better understanding of common environmental triggers of asthma and other respiratory conditions, including cigarette smoke, generator fumes, bush burning, mosquito coil smoke, candles, charcoal, and firewood.
The session highlighted an important reality: young people may not always recognise how seemingly routine lifestyle choices and environmental exposures can gradually affect their respiratory health, quality of life, and long-term wellbeing.
For Breathe Life Foundation, this reinforces the importance of shifting the conversation from treatment to prevention through awareness and education. By equipping young people with the knowledge to identify risks and make healthier choices early, the Foundation is helping to build a generation that is more conscious of – and better prepared to protect – its respiratory health.
Breathe Life Foundation is dedicated to advancing respiratory health, an often-neglected public health priority. Healthy lungs are essential to life, yet respiratory diseases remain among the world’s leading causes of death and disability, even though many are preventable and treatable.
Nigeria’s technology retail landscape reached another significant milestone on Monday, August 3, 2026, as global technology giant ASUS, in partnership with Konga, officially commissioned its first flagship experience store in West Africa.
Strategically located at 16 Otigba Street, Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos; the heartbeat of Nigeria’s technology ecosystem, the state-of-the-art facility represents a major investment in customer experience, product accessibility, and digital innovation.
The launch also reinforces Konga’s growing reputation as a preferred gateway for leading global technology brands into the Nigerian market.
The landmark event attracted Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, SAN, minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, who officially commissioned the store.
Also in attendance were the Chairman of Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh; Chief Operating Officer of Konga, Dave Omoregie; VP Omni-channel & Commercial Planning, Melvin Onochie; and Head of Marketing and Communications at Konga Group, Victor Oluwaleye.
The ASUS team was led by E.EMEA General Manager, Aaron Tsai, alongside Business Development Manager, Sunnie Chen; Sales Manager, Mohammed Kazim; Gaming Product Manager, Joy Chen; Marketing Manager, Adeola Odeleye; and Sales Specialist, Williams Okenna.
The Honourable Minister described the facility as a defining achievement for Nigeria’s digital economy, noting that it is far more than the opening of a retail outlet.
He called it a strong vote of confidence by a global technology brand in Nigeria’s innovation, science, and technology ecosystem and the immense potential of its market.
He noted that his presence underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to fostering stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors, describing such partnerships as essential to achieving Nigeria’s ambition of building a one-trillion-dollar economy driven by private enterprise and enabled by government.
The Minister paid tribute to Leo Stan Ekeh, describing him as one of the foremost architects of Nigeria’s digital transformation.
He announced that Ekeh had recently agreed to champion the Federal Government’s Youth and Students in Innovation initiative, a flagship programme aimed at equipping young Nigerians with entrepreneurial and technology skills.
According to him, Ekeh’s decades of visionary entrepreneurship have played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s technology ecosystem and attracting prominent technology companies into the Nigerian market.
Using the occasion to address the international business community, the Minister encouraged global investors and brands to look beyond establishing commercial operations in Nigeria and actively partner with the government in driving national development.
He assured investors of the Federal Government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment that safeguards investments and delivers sustainable returns.
Speaking at the event, ASUS E.EMEA General Manager, Aaron Tsai, expressed appreciation to partners, government representatives, and customers for their support.
He explained that the flagship store was conceived to provide consumers with direct access to authentic ASUS products, and expressed confidence that the partnership with Konga will further accelerate the brand’s growth and strengthen customer engagement in the region.
The experience centre features dedicated sections showcasing ASUS’ complete portfolio of premium laptops, gaming devices, AI-powered PCs, and cutting-edge innovations. A standout attraction is an interactive digital display that allows visitors to explore ASUS’ latest technologies virtually before making purchase decisions, creating a more engaging and informed customer journey. Plus, every ASUS device purchased through the flagship store or online on Konga comes with a special one-year replacement warranty at no extra cost.
In his remark, Chief Operating Officer of Konga Group, Dave Omoregie, said the flagship store reflects Konga’s deliberate strategy to give Nigerian consumers a seamless blend of online and offline retail.
He noted that Konga’s logistics network, payment infrastructure, and nationwide retail footprint uniquely position the company to support global brands like ASUS at scale, while ensuring customers enjoy authentic products backed by reliable after-sales service.
According to him, the partnership demonstrates what becomes possible when world-class technology brands trust Nigerian platforms to deliver exceptional experiences, adding that Konga remains committed to setting the operational standard for authentic technology retail across the country.
The launch further reinforces the enduring partnership between ASUS and Konga, built on shared values of innovation, authenticity, and customer satisfaction.
It also highlights Konga’s continued evolution beyond traditional e-commerce into a comprehensive omnichannel technology ecosystem that combines online convenience with physical retail experiences.
For Nigerian consumers and businesses, the new ASUS Flagship Experience Store represents more than a retail outlet; it is a symbol of confidence in Nigeria’s technology market. It highlights Konga’s commitment to bridging the gap between global technology brands and Nigerian consumers. With its robust logistics infrastructure, digital payment solutions, and nationwide physical retail presence, Konga continues to set the standard for authentic, accessible, and reliable technology retail across Africa.
The flagship store opening featured guided product demonstrations, immersive technology experiences, exclusive launch-day offers and customer engagement activities celebrating this historic milestone.
Customers can begin shopping immediately at the ASUS Flagship Experience Store, located at 16 Otigba Street, Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos. Visitors can explore authentic ASUS products, experience live product demonstrations, receive expert guidance, and access dedicated Starlink customer-support services.
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to direct, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), attorney general of the federation and minister of Justice; Olatunji Rilwan Disu, inspector-general of Police, and relevant anti-corruption agencies to investigate allegations that more than ₦6.79 billion in public funds were missing, diverted or misapplied within the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs.
The allegations are contained in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s 2022 Annual Report, published on September 9, 2025.
In a letter dated August 1, 2026, and signed by Kolawole Oluwadare, deputy director, SERAP, the organisation urged the government to ensure that anyone implicated in the report is prosecuted and that all missing public funds, firearms and ammunition are recovered.
“Anyone suspected to be responsible—including contractors, companies and public officials implicated in the report—should be promptly prosecuted, while all missing public funds, firearms and ammunition should be fully recovered, secured and properly accounted for.”
SERAP described the Auditor-General’s findings as a serious breach of public trust.
“The Auditor-General’s findings suggest a grave betrayal of the public trust and raise serious concerns about corruption and the management of public funds, police exhibits, firearms and ammunition.”
The organisation also expressed concern over allegations involving missing firearms, unauthorised use and release of police exhibits, and poor storage of weapons.
“The report also raises serious concerns over missing firearms and ammunition, the unauthorised use and release of police exhibits, failures to properly account for exhibits, and the insecure storage of firearms, creating significant risks to public safety and national security.”
According to SERAP, the alleged diversion of funds meant for policing and the reported irregularities have weakened the operational effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force.
“The diversion of funds meant for policing, abandoned security projects, missing firearms and ammunition, and the misuse of police exhibits undermine the operational effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force, weaken public confidence and may contribute to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.”
The organisation said the Auditor-General’s report documented several alleged financial irregularities, including payments for projects that were never executed, abandoned contracts, inflated contract costs, irregular procurement, unretired cash advances, unsettled insurance claims and payments for services allegedly not rendered.
“The report documented numerous alleged financial irregularities within the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs, including payments for projects that were never executed, abandoned contracts, inflated contract costs, and irregular procurement.”
“The report also documented unretired cash advances, unsettled insurance claims, payments for services allegedly not rendered, and other suspected diversion and misapplication of public funds amounting to over ₦6.79 billion.”SERAP further cited allegations of missing firearms and ammunition, failures to properly account for recovered weapons and exhibits, and insecure storage of firearms.
“The allegations also include missing firearms and ammunition, the unauthorised use and release of police exhibits, failures to properly account for recovered firearms and other exhibits, and the insecure storage of firearms, posing serious risks to public safety and national security.”
The organisation gave the Federal Government seven days to act on its demands, warning that it would pursue legal action if no response is received.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal action to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.”
SERAP also argued that the allegations, if left unaddressed, would violate constitutional provisions requiring the government to combat corruption and safeguard the welfare and security of Nigerians.
Among the specific findings cited from the Auditor-General’s report were allegations of payments for abandoned and unexecuted police projects worth hundreds of millions of naira, inflated contract values, unretired cash advances, irregular procurement processes, unsettled insurance claims exceeding ₦681 million, over ₦1 billion in uncleared insurance policy liabilities, missing firearms and ammunition, unauthorised release of police exhibits, and contracts allegedly awarded without due diligence by the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs.
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