From Code to Leadership: how women can rise in tech careers

In Africa’s bustling tech universe (where hubs in Nigeria are thriving), women are still vastly underrepresented in leadership roles (only 15 percent of CTOs are female). This discussion is a call to action for women in Lokoja and outside to fill this gap using a cocktail of ideas and inspirations offered to them from African pace setters.

Why This Talk Matters:

Unpack Challenges: Confront the “technical ceiling,” imposter syndrome and social pressures that sidestep women’s leadership journeys.

Coding IS NOT enough: Become an excellent communicator (i.e., tell your story like Funke Opeke) and negotiator (it should be backed by data too) and strategic thinker (as in Japan, where technology guidance aligns with national goals through a Digital Economy Policy).

Proven Strategies: Understand how to go from coder to decision-maker (build a leadership brand (via blogs/hackathons) then if you are not sponsored (through networks like She Code Africa)

Overcome Barrier: Address bias head-on where possible, engage male advocates, facilitate women-to-women opportunities (ala launching Lokoja women-in-tech group).

Africa’s Greatest: Spotlighting African Brilliance

Recognise trailblazers such as Ada Nduka Oyom (helped readers 10,000+ women build sustainable careers in STEM) and Odunayo Eweniyi (moved the financial industry at PiggyVest).

Call to Action:

For You: Write a 5-year plan for your leadership role(s).

For Organizations Build pipelines with workshops like Google’s #IamRemarkable

– Lokoja: Implement “Tech Leadership Bootcamp” for girls

Engagement & Impact:

Interactive Q&AWhat leadership skill will you develop this year?

Ending with Teresa Shook’s powerful quote: “We need women who are so strong they can be gentle… so much they can be leaders.”

Why I’m the Right Speaker:

I am a senior software engineer with a unique perspective on the challenge of leadership transitions. This address is not abstract—rather, it is a journey, underpinned by African success models and committed to inspire Lokoja’s next set of women tech leaders.

Let’s translate code to influence, ambition to action. 🌍✨