Cell Phones, Sharing, and Social Status in an African Society

This article takes a look at the use of cell phones in Nigeria, and how it fits in with such a society.  The author makes a point of noting to the reader to consider, “why…so many Nigerians who can barely afford life’s basic necessities go such great lengths to acquire a cell phone?”, as they read this article.  In the past decade, the cell phone market in Nigeria has surprisingly grown, with more and more citizens opting to spend their hard earned money to own a phone.  Nigerians must pay per minute on calls that they make, but incoming calls are free.  This has caused a sensation known in Nigeria as “flashing” to formulate, which is the practice of calling a person until the phone rings once, then hanging up so that they can see your number, but that you aren’t charged for the call.  That person may then call you back and you will not have to pay for the call.  One of the most interesting parts of this article was the revelation that the quality of phone a person owns in Nigeria is now used as a social status symbol.