Did you know why the logo of Nigeria’s classifieds board naijads.ng looks the way It does?

Historical Context: The Bell as a Means of Communication

In traditional Nigeria, before newspapers and the internet, one of the most important ways to spread information was through the town crier. This was a trusted figure, appointed by elders or local authorities. He would step into the village square or central gathering place, holding a bell, and its ringing would draw people together. After that, the crier would loudly announce the news:

• decisions of the community;
• invitations to the market;
• warnings about events or dangers;
• notices about goods and services.

The bell symbolized trust and attention: its sound meant that important information was about to be shared and could not be ignored.

Connection to Modern Classifieds Boards

When digital classifieds platforms emerged in the 21st century, designers searched for a symbol that reflected Nigeria’s deep communication roots. This inspired the logo of naijads.ng - a classifieds site featuring a Nigerian holding a bell.

This image is more than decoration. It:

• recalls the tradition of oral announcements;
• symbolizes trust and attentiveness to information;
• shows that classifieds are a continuation of an old practice, now transformed into a digital form.

The bell that once gathered people in the village square has become a metaphor for digital notifications. The naijads.ng logo, with a Nigerian holding a bell, is a bridge between past and present: from spoken announcements to an online platform where anyone can “ring the bell” and be heard.