OLAJUMOKE BAKARE

Olajumoke was born and raised in Nigeria. After being rejected first to study computer science as an undergraduate degree, Olajumoke excelled in her agricultural science degree that she was allowed to transfer to the computer science department. Again, when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, Olajumoke applied to a range of tech programs and intensive tech training courses to dive deeper into her tech passion. Her persistence to work in the field of computer science goes beyond. Recently she was awarded as the Campus Ambassador for Pyladies LAUTECH and Campus Director for Venture Leader Matrix, spreading computer science and machine learning to the female students on campus.

“Life Has Taught Me that Nothing Is Permanent. Life Can Change in a Second”

Q: Tell us a few things about your country, and also your life's story!

I am from Nigeria, often referred to as the giant of Africa, a country in West Africa, also known as the most populous country in Africa with over 250 ethnic groups. Nigeria is a federal republic comprising 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja. The country is blessed with abundant natural resources, gold, coal, crude oil, and many more, and it is Africa's largest oil and gas producer. Nigerians are intelligent, hard-working people with a friendly and accommodating spirit based on individuality. All these personalities are attributed to why we are called the Giant of Africa.

From the onset, my dream was to be a programmer and work in top companies. I opted in for Computer Science during my undergraduate application, but it was unfortunate that I was not selected based on the reasons best known to the admission committee. However, I was offered an admission to study Agricultural Science, which I accepted based on the fact that I had already waited for two years with no possibility of furthering my education. I commenced the programme in my first year, though I was not satisfied and during the period of my sophomore year, I requested for a change of programme to the department of Computer Science based on my academic performance. I was happy that I achieved my goal as this was a life-changing opportunity for me because I was able to be in the area of my interest.

Q: How did you experience the global pandemic crisis, did it change your life or/and your views about the world? How?

The pandemic era drastically changed my life. I was in my fourth year at the University. Based on the University's rule, all students in the fourth year were obliged to complete a six-months intensive industrial training in any different part of the world. Abruptly, the pandemic era commenced, and every part of the world was locked down, and everyone had to stay indoors.

We all thought the waiting would not take long, but it took more periods than we could ever imagine.

I was at home doing nothing when I came across different fliers for virtual training on information and technology. Obviously, this would be a great chance since I was studying Computer Science at a bachelor's level. I leveraged this opportunity and applied to many tech programmes. Based on my profile, I was selected for some partially funded programmes.

Moreover, after several months of intensive online training, the systems propagated to a hybrid system. Then I had the opportunity to embark on the journey of commencing industrial training at HiiT company. I choose to delve more into data science based on the fundamental experience I acquired during the lockdown. Wholeheartedly, I would conclude that my tech journey began during the pandemic era as I was able to utilize it perfectly. If not for the lockdown, I would have done my IT in a company where I could get paid without much knowledge.

The global pandemic taught me many lessons; it made me realize nothing in life is permanent and to never say something is impossible.

The pandemic changes many things; it changes our mode of working, how we interact, and even our means of communication.

Q: What are some of the key challenges in your society currently? 

Corruption, insecurity, unemployment, poor education system, economic crisis.

Q: Share with us some of the hurdles that you had to overcome in your life so far? How did you handle them?

Unemployment is one of the greatest hurdles I am facing right now due to the way the Nigerian education system is structured. A five year course turned eight years due to strike and this has affected most student including me because most companies set an age limit when choosing their employers. There are schools like private universities that do not strike but most parents could not afford it.

I have had to face these challenges by engaging myself. There are opportunities in tech you just need to have the right skills. I took several trainings, online courses, went to tech events to learn and network, and a Mentorship programme. Even though it was tough I choose to stand strong.

Q: If you were to ask one thing from our current leaders, what would it be?

Why is it so difficult to eradicate corruptions? How could you be so comfortable with the way every sector is?

Q: Why is the role of a mentor important for you?

The role of a mentor is so important to me because there will be someone to encourage me, willing to listen to me, provide guidelines, help me set goals and help me with their experience, and most importantly help me gain confidence.

Q: Do you have a lesson that life has taught you and you would like to share?  

Life has taught me that nothing is permanent. Life can change in a second. Therefore, it is important always to cherish every moment, live your best possible life, and help others survive towards attaining greater height, never to look down on anyone.

Q: Name a project, a foundation or a person in your country that you think is doing great work in helping improve other people's lives!

She Codes Africa is a non-profit organization focused on celebrating and empowering young girls and women in tech across Africa. Also, Women Techsters Fellowship powered by Tech4Dev is a project that empowers women with digital skills so they can be economically independent.

Q: What are some of the challenges that women in your country face and what efforts are made towards gender equality?

Challenges women face in Nigeria include sexual harassment, uneven access to education, poor medical care, discriminatory employment practices, and early marriage.

However, there are a lot of organization set up to tackle this problem which includes: the Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND) works on a project focused on ending violence against women, Wellbeing Foundation Africa organizes the expedition and accessibility of life- saving supplies to expectant and new mothers in Africa, Stand to End Rape Initiatives is a youth-led nonprofit organization advocating against sexual assault by offering prevention methods and psychological services for survivors.

Q: Share with us a phrase, a poem or a story that means something to you.

Do not let their social status intimidate you. Be strong and act like you are their equal. You can do it.

Q: Share with us a project that you would like to make happen for your country or a cause that you are passionate about.

Apart from my plan for tech solutions, I desire to embark on a mission themed “catch and build them young”, focusing more on gifted children in Motherless Babies homes and the Almajiris in the Northern part of Nigeria. My mission will be to equip them with the fundamental skills and allow them to come up with different novel ideas, thereby funding those achievable ideas to provide long-lasting solutions to a series of problems in the developing world. It will be diversified into various sectors ranging from sport, agriculture, transport, security, business, energy, social activities, and lots more.