If you live in Lagos, especially on the mainland, you probably have heard it before.

Now you are coming across it again in our newsletter, not to distract you, but to share the story of a founder who is building a more structured platform for collecting electronic scrap items.

Meet Joshua Ndaman, the founder of BuyScrap.

Hello Builders, welcome to another episode of the Founders Journey newsletter by TheSpotlighthub.

In our recent Founder’s Journey conversation, we sat with Joshua Ndaman, founder of Buyscrap Nigeria, to unpack how post-graduation survival work in informal scrapyards quietly became the blueprint for a tech-enabled electronic waste collection platform.

What began as a way to make ends meet working alongside informal collectors, understanding pricing, and learning the informal system evolved into a mission to professionalize Nigeria’s electronic waste sector, giving electronics a second chance to life.

What unfolded was not a flashy tech story but a grounded lesson in building from firsthand experience, validating demand organically, navigating logistics constraints, designing for Nigerian realities, and learning how collaboration, certification, and patience shape businesses that actually work at scale. Joshua’s journey offers a rare look into what it really takes to digitize overlooked systems while building infrastructure that doesn’t yet exist.

Let’s dive in.

What led you to start BuyScrap?

I didn’t just come up with the idea randomly. “After school, I usually go to the scrapyard to make some money collecting scrap items.” That was my reality for a long time. Being there constantly gave me the chance to really understand how things worked in that space.

Over time, I started paying closer attention. “Being there, I was able to see how things work in the scrapyard. I noticed there are a lot of inefficiencies and things that can be improved.” It wasn’t something I learned somewhere else; it was something I experienced directly.

That’s where everything started from.

“Some ideas don’t come from thinking; they come from what you see every day.”

When did you decide to build something?

I didn’t start with anything complex. I just wanted to test if the idea could actually work.

“I built a WordPress website just to test the idea, it was just something simple to see if it would work.” The focus was simply to try and see if there was a response.

And there was the time we started getting orders. “We started getting orders.”

That moment changed everything. It showed that people were actually willing to use what I built.

“You don’t need to start big; you need to start and see if it works.”

What challenges did you face early on?

One of the biggest issues I faced was logistics. “Logistics was a major challenge… moving scrap and coordinating everything was not easy.” It made operations difficult and required constant effort to manage.

Then something else happened. “The website got hacked.”

That was a major setback. Something that was already working suddenly broke, and I had to deal with it and keep going.

“Building doesn’t go as planned; you just have to face what comes.”

How did you handle building with limited resources?

I didn’t have everything I needed from the beginning.

“I started with what I had. I didn’t have much, so I had to build step by step.” That’s how I’ve been approaching it, just moving forward with what is available. No waiting for perfect conditions. Just building.

“You don’t wait for more; you build with what you have.”

What problem are you solving with BuyScrap?

From what I’ve seen, “there are a lot of inefficiencies in how scrap is handled; the system is not structured.” That’s the core issue.

Things are not organized properly, and that affects everything.

So for me, the focus is clear. “I want to build something that makes it easier and more organized.” “Sometimes the problem is simply that things are not structured.”

What are you currently doing to position the company for growth and partnerships?

Right now, I understand that building the product alone is not enough.

“I am taking courses and certifications and also working on business registration.” The goal is to make sure everything is properly structured and aligned with industry standards.

This is important because it prepares the company for bigger opportunities. “So that we can meet up with the requirements needed for partnerships.”

It’s not just about building; it’s about building in a way that is recognized and trusted.

“Growth also means preparing yourself to meet industry standards.”

Where do you see BuyScrap in the next 5 years?

Looking ahead, the vision is clear.

The goal is not just to operate at a small scale but to grow into something bigger and more structured.

From Joshua’s perspective, it’s about expanding, building stronger systems, and creating more impact within the industry.

It’s about moving from what exists today into a more established and scalable operation.

“The goal is to grow into something bigger and more structured.”

What has this journey taught you?

I’ve learned that things won’t always go smoothly.

“I’ve learned that you just have to keep going… things won’t always go as planned.” That’s just part of the process.

There will be challenges, unexpected situations, and setbacks.

But one thing matters.

“You just have to continue building.”

“Consistency is what keeps everything moving.”

What keeps you going?

When I look at everything, it’s clear how it started.

“I started from the scrapyard; I built something simple, people started using it, there were challenges, but I kept going.”

That’s the journey.

Just continue, regardless of what happens.

“You keep going; that’s what makes the difference.”

What advice do you have for early-stage founders?

From my experience, one thing is clear: you have to be sure about what you’re building.

“Not every idea is worth building.” You need to think about whether the problem actually exists and if people truly need your solution.

It’s not just about building.

It’s about building something that matters.

And beyond that:

“You just have to keep going.”

Because even when things are unclear, stopping is not an option.

“You don’t just need resilience; you need to keep going no matter what.”

What advice do you have for The TheSpotlighthub?

Platforms like this are important.

They help founders share what they are building and give them visibility.

That matters because many people are building, but not everyone gets seen.

So the focus should remain on that.

“Keep creating visibility for founders and what they are building.”

At The Spotlighthub we share stories of founders across different industries, highlighting the real journeys behind what they are building.

If you have a story to share or know someone who does, reach out to us at Spotlighthub001@gmail.com