Meet Salihu ‘Blootooth’: Empowering Youth and Shaping Nigeria’s GSM Landscape
It was sometime in 2002, during the early days of Nigeria’s GSM revolution, when mobile phones had just begun trending like the latest fashion accessory. One afternoon, my secretary ushered in a tall, lanky, fair-skinned young man, unmistakably of Fulani descent, whose warm smile and confident demeanor immediately stood out. He had come to assist me in navigating my newly acquired GSM phone—an unfamiliar gadget I was still struggling to fully understand.
He introduced himself as Salihu, a fresh graduate who had just completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Rather than join the long queue of job seekers, he chose a different path—becoming self-employed by offering ICT support services to both low- and high-profile clients. He went by the trade name “Mr. Blootooth” (not to be confused with the wireless technology “Bluetooth”), a nickname that soon became synonymous with innovation in Nigeria’s early mobile phone ecosystem.
Salihu Blootooth brought remarkable ICT skills to the table at a time when tools like iCloud didn’t exist. He introduced useful applications for everyday utility—dictionaries, encyclopedias, spreadsheets, Holy Qur’an apps, diaries, and more. One of his standout offerings was backing up phone contacts, photos, and videos, not just digitally but also in beautifully printed hard copies. He even provided CD backups long before flash drives became mainstream. His printed directories were glazed, elegant, and ahead of their time.
Impressed by his services, I enthusiastically referred him to my friends and colleagues. Before long, Mr. Blootooth had become to us what a cancer specialist is to patients—indispensable. His name soon resonated across Abuja’s elite circles as a reliable ICT consultant.
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Capitalizing on this reputation, he opened an office at the bustling Emab Plaza in Wuse II, Abuja. Within a short period, his premises became a magnet for high-ranking politicians, diplomats, top civil servants, captains of industry, and business executives—particularly on weekends. Despite the numerous networking opportunities this clientele afforded, Salihu remained focused on his work, never exploiting these connections for undue advantage. His integrity and professionalism were unwavering.
Beyond his business acumen, Salihu has distinguished himself as a selfless mentor. Over the past 20 years, he has trained and empowered hundreds of Nigerian youths—entirely free of charge—in mobile phone software upgrades, sales, accessories, and ICT services. Many of his trainees now run successful businesses of their own across the country.
Though of Yoruba-Fulani descent from Ilorin, Kwara State, Salihu was born in Gombe and raised in Sokoto. His team at Blootooth Enterprises is a living representation of Nigeria’s sociocultural diversity—comprising staff from all geopolitical zones, working harmoniously towards a shared goal. A visit to his booth at Emab Plaza offers more than just quality GSM services—it offers a rare glimpse into what a united, purpose-driven Nigeria looks like.
For his dedication to empowering others, and for building an enterprise that reflects the ideals of national unity, productivity, and entrepreneurship—without benefiting from any government intervention schemes like N-Power, SMEDAN, or NDE—Salihu Blootooth deserves formal recognition. I strongly recommend him for national honours and urge agencies like the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), SMEDAN, and NITDA to support and amplify the impact of his remarkable work.
Let us celebrate and support Nigerians like Salihu Blootooth, whose quiet revolutions are shaping the future of youth empowerment and national cohesion—one innovation at a time.
Abdullahi S. Maiunguwa
Former Director, The Presidency
