Way before Apple dropped its first iPhone in 2007, and the establishment of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the early 2000s was dominated by gadgets that were considered as great innovations at the time. These gadgets are nostalgic, taking us back to a time when life moved slower and things were less complicated.

In Nigeria, mobile phones first came into use in 2001 with the launch of the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network. Before this, landline phones were the primary means of communication in the country.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of the popular gadgets that defined the early 2000s in Nigeria.

1. Old school phones

With the operations of Mobile Telephone Network (MTN) coming to Nigeria in August 2001, mobile phones saw an increase in demand and use in the country. Although owning a sim and a phone was a luxury not everyone could afford due to their high costs at the time. Also, some of the most popular mobile brands in Nigeria were Nokia, Samsung, and Motorola. Their phones, popularly called “palasa,” were known for their reliability, long-lasting battery life, and quality. Furthermore, these phones were primarily used for text messaging, voice calls, and for playing games like Snake and Tetris. Advanced cameras and internet connectivity were still in their development stages back then.

2. DVD player

Before streaming platforms like Netflix and HBO Max were established, the norm was to use a digital video disc (DVD). These devices allowed users to watch films and television shows, and also play video games on their television screens. Additionally, this period saw the popularity of compact disks (CDs) as this is how new films were distributed for people to watch in their homes.

3. Sega Game console

Sega Game Console was one of the first gaming consoles to bring high-quality 16-bit graphics and sound to home gaming. It had some nostalgic games like Sonic Hedgehog, Streets of Rage, X-Men, Golden Axe, and Kid Chameleon. It provided hours of entertainment for casual and hardcore gamers. Unfortunately, the company stopped producing games after suffering financial losses in 2001. They now develop and publish other games as third-party video game developers.

4. Landline phones

Landline phones were the primary means of communication in the pre-smartphone era. Often seen in homes and offices, they were used to make voice calls. Some even had the feature of caller ID and answering machines. Even though landline phones aren’t as popular as they once were, they can still be found in some homes and offices functioning just fine.

5. PlayStation 1

Another classic for gamers, PlayStation 1 (PS 1) is a home game console that was released in 1994. The PS ushered in a new era of 3D graphics and multiplayer gameplay. It pushed the boundaries of what was possible in video games. Some of its popular games were Resident Evil, Final Fantasy, Metal Gear Solid, and Castlevania. Eventually, its successor, PlayStation 2, surpassed its popularity. But the PlayStation 1 ultimately laid the groundwork for the gaming franchise we know today.

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Finally, these are a few of the many other old-school gadgets that hold a special place in the hearts of people who grew up during that era. They are a representation of a time when technology was simpler, but still managed to entertain us.