Tech Bytes Podcast #8 focused on teenagers doing exciting things in tech

The eighth episode of Technext’s podcast series Tech Bytes featured teenagers making notable impacts and driving innovation in the Nigeria tech space in celebration of Children’s day which came up on the 27th of May.

As usual, this episode of Tech Bytes featured a review of major news in the tech space, conversations and events in the world of tech during the week.

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The major conversations and news in the week featured Elon Musk’s Starlink getting a pass from the NCC to begin operations in Nigeria, Meta Chief Operating Officer (COO), Sheryl Sandberg’s decision to step down as Meta’s COO after 14 years, Google’s expansion of its Google TV availability in 32 countries in Africa and lastly, Tera 2.0 kick-off.

The major conversation point on Tech Bytes was on the growth, inspiration and innovative steps taken by teens in the tech space. The conversation between two teenagers Michael Nwugu, a 17-year-old software engineer and Abigail Inyang, a 16-year-old cyber security expert.

You can listen to the full episode below:

Excerpts from the conversations

The conversation on Tech Bytes started with the guest teens sharing their first encounters with tech. Abigail noted that her first knowledge about tech was through reading the notes of her elder sister – a web developer, who had earlier attended a tech boot camp.

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Michael on the other hand learned about tech when a tech seminar was brought to school about coding and WordPress.

“Funny enough, I was the only one who had interest in it, and Found it cool. I believe that was where the whole tech thing started from.”

Michael – teen software engineer

Abigail claimed she also attended the same boot camp in 2019, where she was given a laptop after she learnt web development, digital marketing and some other skills. “The boot camp changed my life completely”, she added.

Michael developed an interest in WordPress and started learning more about it. Also, he started coding too, with the aim to ace the programming exams for which he had enrolled. For him, the whole process has been fun and everything going on well, apart from the fact that his experiences with admission processes into the university is being “unexpectedly funny.”

“I don’t think I have missed anything not being admitted to the university yet, I don’t see education as just being in the four walls of a school really, education is broad and resources are out there. Learning can take place online, like YouTube and all. My coding school for example is self-taught.”

Michael

How to learn coding for beginners on YouTube

Abigail who is already a high school graduate, claims that her interest in tech do not affect her academics, since she has been doing it during the break, whilst taking up world challenges.

Michael explained that the major challenge he has had is more of a mental challenge which was a normal phenomenon associated with not meeting up to tasks and on time. Since he became full stack in three months, the process was really fast for him and hence, was harder ad draining even when the whole process was fun.

“Access to stable electricity and internet supply, is the major challenge I have faced really”

Abigail

For Michael, his major wins have been getting top jobs with firms like Kazer, TopShape, ZedPay and the likes, and being able to put their skills into practical use. For Abigail, taking up roles and challenges is a big win for her.

Listen to the podcast for the full conversation.