Date Archives November 2024

A Week of Loss, Love, and Legacy

This past week was one of the most challenging times in my life, filled with both deep sorrow and unexpected moments of hope.

Sunday morning brought the heartbreaking news of my dad’s passing. Even in grief, life continued. I completed a group presentation on Tuesday, drawing strength from the values my father taught me.

   

On Wednesday, I attended Communitech Week 2. Charles Plant shared new ways to measure market sizing, and Heather Galt talked about identifying the ideal customer profile. The day’s highlight was meeting Kitchener’s mayor, Berry Vrbanovic. He told me, “I have an Ayo on my team,” referring to Ayo Owodunni. Funny enough, this was the second mayor I’ve met while wearing this turtleneck – maybe it’s my lucky outfit.

  

Yesterday, my brother achieved something incredible – earning his Master’s degree in Civil Engineering and Construction Management from the University of Derby. His success reflects the hard work and sacrifice our dad always inspired in us.

Sitting here, my heart feels heavy with loss but full of gratitude. My father embodied integrity, compassion, and strength. Knowing him meant understanding what it truly means to live with purpose.

November will always be the month we lost him, but also the month we celebrate his amazing life and legacy.

Thank you for everything, Dad. ❤️

The Rise and Reality of Nigeria’s Tech Hub: A Personal Reflection

Nigeria’s tech ecosystem has come a long way, but its journey reveals triumphs and missed opportunities. I vividly recall the excitement that swept through the tech community when Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani and Femi Longe pioneered a new era in Nigerian tech education by founding Co-creation HUB (CcHUB).

As a young design enthusiast, I was fortunate to receive an invitation to CcHUB’s inaugural hackathon. The hub’s strategic location in Yaba, nestled between two prestigious institutions – Yaba College of Technology and the University of Lagos – seemed perfect for nurturing innovation. The tech world took notice, with industry giants like Mark Zuckerberg and Jack Dorsey making landmark visits, validating Nigeria’s emerging position in the global tech landscape.

The “Yaba Effect” was immediate. Startups rushed to establish their presence in the area, driving real estate prices skyward. However, this boom revealed a crucial oversight: despite the surge in business activity, there was minimal investment in sustainable infrastructure and community development.

Thirteen years later, the landscape tells a different story. Many startups that once called Yaba home have either ceased operations or relocated, leaving behind unfulfilled potential. This trajectory reflects a broader challenge in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, as highlighted in a recent feature with University of Waterloo alumnus Iyinoluwa Aboyeji.

The Path Forward

While encouraging, the occasional startup launches, funding rounds, and exits aren’t enough to drive transformational growth in Nigeria’s tech economy. The key to leaping into the future lies in our tertiary institutions stepping up to play a more significant role in tech development.

From my observations, discussions about impact and vision in Nigeria often derail pursuits of personal interests, undermining the broader mission of growth and transformation. For the Nigerian tech ecosystem to truly flourish, we need to shift our focus from individual gains to collective progress.

This isn’t just about creating another tech hub – it’s about building sustainable foundations for long-term growth. The next chapter of Nigeria’s tech story depends on our ability to learn from past experiences and prioritize institutional development over quick wins.