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As part of efforts to encourage diversity and inclusion in the tech space in Nigeria, Andela has organised a Women in Technology Summit 2018, in Lagos.
The event which also served as a commemoration of the International Women’s Day, saw over hundred young women in tech and business participate in lively discussion and debate with Andela’s female executives, senior technologists and developers on the role of stakeholders and leaders in promoting diversity in the tech community.
Much emphasis was laid on personal development by many of the speakers which included Chika Uwazie, COO, EnterFive; Neku Atawodi, general manager, MEST, Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola, general manager, LASPARK Lagos and Simi Nwogugu, executive director, Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN).
“Invest in yourself, so that when you want to step into the fast world, people see you as a person who gets things done. Discover who you are, what you want to do, and how to get there,” Simi Nwogugu told the young women.
Part of self-discovery, she says, is being around people that motive others to action and reading good books.
Sharing along the same lines, Chika Uwazie noted that being around people that inspires others to be the best they can be is important for career growth.
However, “If you are the smartest person in the room, you need to re-evaluate the room. This is growth,” she said.
Taiwo Judah Ajayi, director of People at Andela explained that the goal of the summit was to celebrate the achievement of women in the tech ecosystem and to provide the platform for women in tech – both leaders and aspirants – to connect.
“The women interested in pursuing a career in tech are many, but the mentors and investors are few” Ajayi said. “Now is the time to have an open discussion on how we can stop our future leaders from slipping through the cracks. Today, we are building the biggest platform yet for women technologists and calling for more people to invest in tomorrow’s leaders.”
Since it launched operations in 2014, Andela has received more than 75,000 applicants and accepted over 600 software developers, of which 26 percent are female (compared to global average of 17 percent). The company aims to make the Woment in Tech Summit an annual event in celebration of International Women’s Day.
