National Wire About Nigerians, Nigerian Business and Other Stories
In today’s fast-evolving digital landscape, the rise of programmers in Nigeria is reshaping the nation’s technological future. One such trailblazer is Ekeolere Olaide Nojeem, a software developer deeply immersed in the world of programming and artificial intelligence. From his humble beginnings as a video game enthusiast to leading teams in app development, Ekeolere’s journey reflects both the promise and challenges of Nigeria’s digital economy.
The Beginning of a Passion
Ekeolere’s passion for programming was ignited during his early years, fueled by an insatiable love for video games. “Growing up in the 80s, I was obsessed with video games, to the point that I earned the nickname ‘Gameboy,’” he recalls with a smile. This interest was more than just a hobby. As he spent countless hours playing, he began to dream of creating his own video games. His moment of realization came one day while watching television. “I discovered that to create a game, I had to become a programmer. That was the moment my journey into programming began.”
With the determination to build his own games, Ekeolere delved into different programming languages. “I explored programming on platforms like Nokia, Java, Blackberry, and Android phones, experimenting with game development on each.” However, as he ventured further into Nigeria’s tech space, he noticed a shift in demand. “There was more demand for applications than video games in Nigeria, so I pivoted and began focusing on app development.”
Navigating Nigeria’s Digital Landscape
As Nigeria continues to experience significant digital growth, Ekeolere sees immense opportunities for economic development. By January 2023, Nigeria had over 122.5 million internet users, surpassing 50% of the population. “This is a significant achievement,” he acknowledges, “but there’s still a long way to go.”
For Ekeolere, Nigeria’s digitalization progress represents fertile ground for startups across various sectors, including fintech, healthtech, and edtech. However, he emphasizes that the journey toward a fully digitalized economy requires more than just internet access. “While a 55.4% internet penetration rate is impressive, we need to ensure equitable access to the internet, improve infrastructure, and strengthen digital literacy.”
One area Ekeolere feels passionate about is fostering innovation through education and mentorship. He believes that addressing the issue of cybercrime, which has been on the rise in Nigeria, begins with proper education and guidance for the country’s youth. “With proper mentorship, we can channel their talents into productive activities that will benefit the digital economy,” he says.
Empowering Youths through Coding
Ekeolere is also a strong advocate for encouraging young people, especially girls, to pursue careers in coding. “Nigeria has a tremendous opportunity to nurture the next generation of programmers,” he shares. “Young people, particularly girls, often have a natural affinity for coding. By creating an environment where they have access to resources, role models, and collaborative projects, we can empower them to become innovators and entrepreneurs.”
He explains that a career in software development can open doors for young people, allowing them to work remotely and earn in foreign currencies. “Software developers are well-paid, and the flexibility of working remotely means they can work for international companies while living in Nigeria. This contributes to our economy and helps them achieve financial independence.”
Leadership and Innovation in App Development
Ekeolere’s success is not limited to his programming expertise. He also has a wealth of experience leading development teams. One notable achievement was his role in leading a team of Flutter developers to build and manage B2B and B2C mobile apps for Wakanow, a travel company.
“The initial app was built solely for Android, but we wanted to expand it to iOS,” he explains. “However, hiring additional programmers for iOS development would have increased our costs significantly.” Instead of taking the costly route, Ekeolere’s team opted to use Flutter, a framework that allows developers to build apps for both Android and iOS simultaneously. “By using Flutter, we saved 40% on development time and delivered the project well before the deadline.”
The success of the project was not just about meeting deadlines but also improving the user experience. “Now, both Android and iOS users receive updates at the same time, and the app’s turnaround time has significantly improved,” he adds, underscoring the cost savings and efficiency the project brought to the company.
Tackling Cybersecurity Challenges
In addition to innovation, Ekeolere is mindful of the cybersecurity challenges Nigeria faces. As internet usage grows, so does the prevalence of cybercrime. He believes that tackling these issues requires a comprehensive approach. “We need to focus on raising awareness about cyber threats and offering mentorship to young people interested in technology.”
Through online education and collaboration with industries, Ekeolere hopes to equip Nigerian youths with the skills to combat cybercrime and contribute positively to the country’s digital economy. “By channeling their talents into ethical hacking, software development, and cybersecurity roles, we can create a safer and more productive cyberspace.”
Looking Ahead: A Future in AI
With more than 13 years of experience as a software developer, Ekeolere continues to evolve in his field. His work in game development and app development has shaped him into a versatile problem solver and a collaborative team leader. As technology progresses, he has also begun exploring the world of artificial intelligence (AI).
“My experience in programming has made it relatively easy to dive into AI,” he shares. “It’s an exciting field, and I’m looking forward to seeing where it takes me in the future. Maybe the next time we talk, I’ll be an AI expert with years of experience under my belt.”
Ekeolere Olaide Nojeem’s journey is a testament to the power of passion, resilience, and innovation. His work continues to inspire the next generation of Nigerian programmers, shaping the digital future of the nation one line of code at a time.
*Report by Dayo Emmanuel
