Code, Courage & Change: 8 Nigerian Women Rewriting The Rules Of Tech
By JULIET EKANEM
ELEVENTH (11th) October—International Day of the Girl Child—is often a day to reflect on the barriers holding girls back. But in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, a growing number of women are turning those barriers into stepping stones. These women are not just participants in the digital revolution—they are building it, coding it, and leading it.
From the high seas of submarine internet cables to the invisible networks powering fintech and space technology, Nigerian women are staking their claim in industries once dominated by men. Their stories are proof that when girls are given tools, trust, and time, they don’t just join the conversation—they change it.
1. Funke Opeke – Building Nigeria’s Digital Artery
Before “digital economy” became a buzzword, Funke Opeke saw the future and built the foundation for it. After a successful career in the U.S. with Verizon, she returned home to found MainOne, one of West Africa’s largest digital infrastructure companies.
Her boldest move—a 7,000-kilometre submarine cable connecting Nigeria to Europe—transformed connectivity in the region. MainOne became a backbone for tech growth, data centres, and startups. Funke’s vision continues to power Nigeria’s online evolution, proving that infrastructure is as much about imagination as it is about engineering.
2. Odunayo Eweniyi – Tech, Tenacity, and Transformation
Few embody Nigeria’s fintech spirit like Odunayo Eweniyi, Co-founder and COO of PiggyVest, the savings and investment platform empowering millions of Nigerians to take control of their finances.
A first-class graduate of Computer Engineering, Odunayo’s leadership has made PiggyVest a symbol of financial empowerment. But her impact extends beyond business—through the Feminist Coalition, she champions women’s rights and inclusion in governance.
Odunayo’s journey shows how innovation can be both profitable and purposeful—and how tech can serve people, not just profit.
3. Ire Aderinokun – From Self-Taught Coder to Global Mentor
Ire Aderinokun broke barriers as Nigeria’s first female Google Developer Expert in Web Technologies. As Co-founder and VP of Engineering at Helicarrier, a blockchain infrastructure firm, she’s helping shape Africa’s crypto future.
Her platform, Bits of Code, simplifies programming for beginners, especially young women intimidated by tech. Ire’s self-taught rise proves that curiosity can be a stronger credential than any degree—and mentorship a multiplier for impact.
4. Fara Ashiru Jituboh – Architect of Africa’s Open Banking Future
At the intersection of technology and finance stands Fara Ashiru Jituboh, Co-founder and CEO/CTO of Okra. Her startup builds secure connections between financial institutions and apps, enabling open banking in Africa.
By creating systems that allow users to access and control their financial data, Fara is rewriting how Africans interact with money. Her blend of technical brilliance and business acumen represents a new kind of leadership—data-driven, daring, and deeply human.
5. Abimbola Alale – Taking Nigeria to Space
When Abimbola Alale took the helm at NigComSat, she became the first Nigerian woman to lead a satellite communications company. Her leadership pushed the boundaries of Nigeria’s digital ambition beyond the earth’s surface.
Under her watch, NigComSat has expanded broadband access, strengthened national security infrastructure, and positioned Nigeria as a player in the global satellite economy. Abimbola’s story is proof that the sky is not the limit—it’s just the beginning.
6. Adaora Nwodo – Demystifying the Cloud for Africa’s Youth
For Adaora Nwodo, technology is not just a career—it’s a calling. As a Senior Software Engineer and founder of NexaScale, she’s become one of Africa’s loudest voices in cloud computing education.
Through her writing, books, and speaking engagements, Adaora translates complex tech concepts into relatable lessons. Her mission: make digital literacy accessible for every African girl who dreams of building something extraordinary.
7. Tope Omotolani – Growing Tech from the Ground Up
When Tope Omotolani co-founded Farmcrowdy, she redefined agritech in Nigeria. Now as CEO of CrowdyVest, she connects thousands of smallholder farmers and entrepreneurs with investors, driving food security and financial inclusion.
Tope’s work sits at the intersection of agriculture, innovation, and empowerment—proving that technology isn’t confined to offices and data centres; it thrives in farms and fields too.
8. Chioma Agwuegbo – The Digital Activist
In an era where voices are as powerful as algorithms, Chioma Agwuegbo ensures women’s voices are heard. Through her platform, TechHerNG, she has trained countless women in digital communication, cybersecurity, and media advocacy.
Chioma’s activism isn’t just about coding—it’s about confidence, access, and agency. She’s helping women turn technology into a tool for storytelling, community building, and change.
Beyond the Celebration
These eight women represent more than personal success—they are ecosystem builders, mentors, and role models. Their stories illuminate a larger truth: talent is universal, but opportunity is not.
As Nigeria marks the International Day of the Girl Child, these innovators remind us that inclusion is not charity—it’s strategy. When girls are equipped, educated, and encouraged, they don’t just participate in the future—they define it.
