As we continue to celebrate women this month of March, we would like to celebrate 5 young Nigerian women in tech who are using innovation and technology to ensure gender equality and equity. We asked our new friend, ChatGPT to tell us a little about them, and we’ll like to share the results with you (just to let you know, we put our own twist here and there!).
We recognize their contributions and impact and we say thank you!
1. Nkem Okocha. – MamaMoni Ltd. (Nigerian Women In Tech)
is a Nigerian social entrepreneur and activist who founded Mamamoni, a FinTech social enterprise that empowers poor rural and urban slum women with free vocational skills and mobile loans. She is the 2016 winner of the LEAP Africa Social Innovators Programme (SIP) by Union Bank of Nigeria.
In 2013, Nkem founded Mama Moni with the aim of providing financial assistance and vocational skills training to women in impoverished communities in Nigeria. Mama Moni offers small loans to women entrepreneurs to start or grow their businesses, as well as training in business management, financial literacy, and vocational skills such as tailoring, soap-making, and catering.
Since its inception, Mama Moni has helped over 3,000 women in Lagos and its environs and has also expanded its reach to other parts of Nigeria. Nkem’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. She has received numerous awards and recognitions for her work, including being named one of the 100 Most Inspiring Women in Nigeria by Leading Ladies Africa in 2018.
Her passion for empowering women and reducing poverty in Nigeria has been a driving force behind Mama Moni’s success, and her dedication to social impact continues to inspire others to make a positive difference in their communities.
2. Ife Durosinmi-Etti. – Herconomy(Nigerian Women In Tech)
Ife Durosinmi-Etti is a Nigerian entrepreneur, women’s advocate, and the founder of Herconomy, a platform that provides resources and support to help women in business succeed.
After her first degree, Durosinmi-Etti started her career in a marketing firm, Aspire Acquisitions. Her second job was in the fashion retail company, Arcadia Group. Both organizations were located in London. She decided to pursue a career in marketing after her stint in the field and this pushed her to get an MBA in Global Business from Coventry University. Upon graduation, she worked with Heineken – through Nigerian Breweries, because Nigerian breweries have Heineken franchising rights in Nigeria. She was recruited as a Young African Talent (YAT). She worked for Heineken for five years, before she quit to pursue a career as an independent entrepreneur.
In 2019, Durosinmi-Etti founded Herconomy, which aims to empower women by providing access to business education, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Herconomy also offers a range of services, including business development consulting and marketing support, to help women grow their businesses and achieve their goals.
Ife has been recognized for her work in women’s empowerment, including being named one of the 100 Most Inspiring Women in Nigeria by Leading Ladies Africa in 2020. She is also a member of the Forbes Business Council and has been featured in several media outlets, including CNN, Forbes, and Entrepreneur
3. Dr Mrs Aderonke Sakpere. – Tech Girls CLub(Nigerian Women In Tech)
Dr. Mrs. Aderonke Sakpere is a Nigerian academic and founder of Tech Girls Club, an initiative that seeks to inspire young girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. She is a university lecturer with over two decades of experience in teaching and research.
She holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, and has published several research papers in top-tier academic journals. She is also a member of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS).
In 2019, Dr. Sakpere founded Tech Girls Club, which aims to address the gender gap in STEM fields by providing young girls with access to STEM education, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Through the initiative, Dr. Sakpere has organized various workshops, hackathons, and training programs for girls in primary and secondary schools.
Aderonke has received several awards, accolades and recognitions, including the Selected Young scientist grant issued by Lindau Nobel laureate meetings, SAP grant, ICTP grant and many others
4. Bolanle Banwo Osadolo – The Female Design Movement. (Nigerian Women In Tech)
Omobolanle Banwo Osadolo is a Nigerian brand designer and entrepreneur, best known as the founder of Geneva Brands and the Female Designer Movement. She has over a decade of experience in brand development and design, working with clients across various industries including fashion, hospitality, and finance.
She holds a degree in Mass Communication from the Lagos state University, Nigeria. After 4 years, she left her position as a visual communication designer and video editor to start her own brand design agency, Geneva Brands.
In addition to her work at Geneva Brands, Omobolanle is also the founder of the Female Designer Movement, a platform that aims to promote and support female designers in Nigeria and beyond. The movement provides opportunities for female designers to showcase their work, build their networks, and gain access to resources that will help them grow their businesses.
She is passionate about using design as a tool for social change and has worked on several projects aimed at promoting sustainable development and environmental conservation. She is a recipient of several awards and recognitions for her work in brand design and entrepreneurship, including being a Mandela Washington fellow.
Overall, Omobolanle Banwo Osadolo is a trailblazer in the Nigerian design industry and a role model for young women aspiring to make their mark in the world of entrepreneurship and design.
5. Olubunmi Fajuyigbe. – She Learns Here. (Nigerian Women In Tech)
We cannot end this list without recognizing our very own founder, Olubunmi Fajuyigbe.
Olubunmi Fajuyigbe is a Nigerian woman who has made significant contributions in the field of entrepreneurship, digital marketing, and online visibility coaching. She was the founder of My figure 8 wellness and events, the parent company of MF8 hub, a co-working and training space, and MF8 digital, a website design and digital marketing agency in Ibadan which earned her the Tony Elumelu Foundation entrepreneurship training and grant in 2016.
As an advocate for women and girls in and using tech, she is passionate about using technology to empower women and help them achieve their goals. In recognition of her exceptional talent, she was awarded the UK Tech Nation Global Talent Visa.
As the founder of She Learns Here initiative for skills empowerment NGO, Olubunmi has created a platform that provides opportunities for women to learn new skills, connect with mentors and access resources that will help them succeed in their chosen businesses and careers. Her initiative has been instrumental in improving the lives of many women in Nigeria and beyond.
Olubunmi’s work has earned her recognition from various organizations, including TechCabal, TechCity, and Oyo State Government, and she has received numerous awards for her contributions to the tech and nonprofit industries. She is a role model to many young women and continues to inspire and mentor them to achieve their full potential.