5 Women That Defined the Nigerian Tech Space in 2019

Whew! 2019 has seen a lot of major players shake the tech space, from ventures like Opay and Kuda to individuals like Bosun Tijani and Omowale David-Ashiru, however, the list is not complete without a look at the top 5 women who shaped the Nigerian tech space in 2019.

The women listed here created tech-inclusive opportunities for women hit milestones in their careers and businesses or made a huge impact through their leadership roles in their various tech organisations.From Oreoluwa Lesi that runs a tech initiative for females to Omowale David-Ashiru and Mohini Ufeli that have handled demanding roles and rose to the top in tech spaces.

From Oreoluwa Lesi that runs a tech initiative for females to Omowale David-Ashiru and Mohini Ufeli that have handled demanding roles and rose to the top in tech spaces.

The list also includes Moyinoluwa Adeyemi and Temie Giwa-Tubosun, women who have worked hard and hit milestones in their tech careers.

Let’s meet them!

Omowale David-Ashiru

Omowale has worked for more than 12 years in various tech spaces, including Accenture. She went from being an analyst to a senior management consultant and senior manager in Accenture before joining the Andela team. Recently, she was announced as the new Country Director for Andela in Nigeria. She is the first woman to occupy that position.

Omowale, sharing her story during the TechWomenLagos organised by Techcabal, revealed the one advice she gives to women building a career in any field: belief, be bold, break ceilings.

Oreoluwa Lesi

Oreoluwa started the Women’s Technology Empowerment Center (W.TEC) to help women become entrepreneurs and professionals in the tech sector.

Since she started the organisation 11 years ago in 2008, Oreoluwa has stuck to the goal, constantly finding new ways to help women develop their skills and passion for tech.

Earlier this month, W.TEC was recognised by the Equals Global Partnership in Berlin with the Equals in Tech awards for the Skills category.

Over time, W.TEC has made a huge impact for about 10,000 females, helping them find their feet in the tech space, according to the organisation.

Moyinoluwa Adeyemi

Moyinoluwa Adeyemi is an android developer with 5 years of experience in the field. A close follow-up of Adeyemi on her social accounts reveals a woman with a passion for learning and sharing knowledge.

Recently, because of her diligence, she hit the milestone of being the first Nigerian to be certified a Google Developer Expert.

“Although a background in Computer Science is not required to become a software developer, it is always a plus. But I daresay that is not the reason I’m an Android developer now.

I think the major factor that has helped me so far is that I learnt how to learn very early in my journey. I taught myself how to build Android Apps and it has been a continuous process of updating my knowledge in order to remain relevant.”

Moyinoluwa Adeyemi

Mohini Ufeli

Mohini Ufeli’s story is a testament to the fact that you do not necessarily have to know how to code to be in tech. Fresh from the university with an educational background in English and Multimedia journalism, and a photography skill set, Ufeli started her first job in Nigeria as a photographer in Andela.

Ufeli’s work is an integral part of the Andela story. During her time there, she created compelling brand stories that attracted prospective staff, employees and partners alike and saw the company grow from 40 people to 500 when she left.

“There are a few factors that I believe set me apart. 1. There’s a certain mindset I cultivated as a result of coming from a US university. That’s not to say that Nigerians working at a top tech company like Andela don’t have it, but that for me the transition into that environment was easier because I had a certain attitude around timeliness, excellence, integrity, ownership. These are things that professionals older and more established are still learning.”

Mohini Ufeli

3 years 9 months later, armed with the knowledge she had garnered, Ufeli left Andela to work with Paystack where she is doing the same storytelling at a different level; as a Media Manager.

Temie Giwa-Tubosun

Although Temie Giwa-Tubosun started Lifebank in 2015, she snags a spot on this list as one of the winners of the $250,000 Africa Netpreneur Award. She was also awarded the Jack Ma African Business Hero award.

Giwa-Tubosun’s passion for her work stems from her own traumatic experiences in Nigeria’s healthcare sector. Her work in Lifebank is to make essential medical products accessible in the sector by deploying artificial intelligence and smart logistics as well as mobile and web tech.

In her words, “Just do it. It is a brave new world where you can be judged based on the work you do.”

Dazzal

That’s our list of women that made an impact in the Nigerian tech space in 2019.

A major thread that runs through the snippets of these women’s stories is that they inspire. Their stories are statements that women have a lot to offer, not just coding skills. So, you find your own skill niche, learn and stay relevant. One more thing, like Moyinoluwa Adeyemi, do not be afraid to share what you know. The world awaits!

Hit us up in the comment section to share your thoughts with us and let us know if you have a favourite leading woman that did not make the list.