Nigerian women in Tech: Breaking barriers and achieving success

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

The tech industry has long been perceived as a male-dominated field, but Nigerian women are shattering this stereotype and making significant contributions to the sector. Despite facing various challenges, Nigerian women in tech are breaking barriers and achieving success in various areas of the industry.

In this News Round the Clock (NRTC) post, we will highlight the achievements of Nigerian women in tech and showcase some of the communities supporting their growth.

Pioneering Women in Tech

Nigeria has produced several pioneering women in tech who have made a significant impact in the industry.

Some notable examples include:

• Omobola Johnson: A former Minister of Communication Technology and a pioneer in the Nigerian tech industry. She played a crucial role in developing the country’s technology sector.

• Funke Opeke: A pioneer in the Nigerian IT sector and founder of Main One Cable, a leading West African connectivity and data center services provider.

• Nkemdilim Uwaje Begho: A seasoned IT professional and founder of Future Software Resources Limited, a leading IT consulting firm.

Communities Supporting Nigerian Women in Tech

Several communities and organizations are dedicated to supporting and empowering Nigerian women in tech. Some of these communities include:

• Women Who Code Lagos: A community of women coders and programmers who meet regularly to share knowledge, learn from each other, and work on projects together.

• Ladies in Tech Nigeria: A community that aims to increase the number of women in tech by providing mentorship, training, and networking opportunities.

• She Leads Africa: A social enterprise that aims to empower female entrepreneurs and professionals in Africa, including those in the tech industry.

• Women in Technology in Nigeria (WITIN): A non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and supporting women in technology, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

• Girl Code Africa: A community that aims to increase the number of girls and women in tech by providing coding training, mentorship, and networking opportunities.

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Challenges Faced by Nigerian Women in Tech

Despite the progress made, Nigerian women in tech still face various challenges, including:

• Gender bias and stereotypes: Many people still believe that tech is a male-dominated field, and women are often discouraged from pursuing careers in tech.

• Limited access to funding: Women-led startups often struggle to secure funding, and this limits their ability to scale and grow.

• Lack of representation: Women are underrepresented in tech leadership positions, and this limits their ability to influence decision-making and policy.

Nigerian women are making significant contributions to the tech industry, and their achievements are worth celebrating. Despite progress, much work remains to address challenges Nigerian women in tech face, but collective effort can overcome obstacles.

Supporting communities like Women Who Code Lagos and others empower Nigerian women to pursue tech careers and achieve success. Together, we can create a more inclusive and diverse tech industry that benefits everyone.