On my very first day as a software engineering intern, I received a call that could have completely changed my path. A major bank in Nigeria wanted to hire me, an opportunity that, at that point in my life, seemed too good to pass up. But I had already made up my mind. My future was in tech. I grew up in a not so typical Nigerian home with the most supportive parents anyone could ask for. They encouraged me to follow any path I wanted. Still, growing up in Nigeria meant I was surrounded by the idea of “safe” careers like medicine, law, accounting and banking. I studied Banking and Finance at university, passed my ICAN exams, and became a Chartered Accountant. For context, ICAN, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, is the country’s top professional accounting body. On paper, my path looked set. But deep down, I had always been curious about tech. I just did not know how to start. Finding My Way Into Tech My sister told me about a software engineering internship at her company, Decagon Institute. That night, I went down the YouTube rabbit hole, watching coding tutorials and trying out practice exercises. I applied for the program, took the test and did not get in. That could have been the end of the story but I could not shake the interest. I studied harder, sought guidance from senior developers and tried again. This time, I got in. And then, on my first day at Decagon, the bank called with an offer. The choice was between a clear, traditional path in finance or the uncertain but exciting world of tech. I chose tech. From Intern to Mentor At Decagon, I started with the Node.js stack. It was six months of rigorous training, late nights and constant learning. I graduated and was retained as a Software Engineer. Soon after, I was given the opportunity to mentor others. Three cohorts of interns, about 100 people in total. They came from all kinds of backgrounds, and helping them grow was one of the most rewarding parts of my journey. The Women in Tech Breakthrough Next came a career-defining step. Joining the Moniepoint, then TeamApt, Women in Tech program. Out of thousands of applicants, only five of us were selected. Six months later, I was retained as a full staff member while continuing my role at Decagon. It was at Moniepoint that I discovered my love for Quality Assurance. All backend engineers were required to write unit tests. Many disliked it but I enjoyed the precision and problem-solving it required. I spoke to my mentor, who then connected me with HR and the QA Lead. They gave me an independent interview and assessment. I passed and my career as a QA Engineer officially began. Building a Career Across Borders Since then, I have worked with companies like Moralis Web3, SeamlessHR and Dotsys, also known as MCL InsureTech, delivering high-quality testing for enterprise-level software in insurance and financial services. My finance background has been invaluable in understanding compliance-heavy, detail-oriented products. I moved to the UK, completed my MSc in Business Analytics at Queen’s University Belfast and earned an MBA from Nexford University. Today, I combine my love for business and technology in every project I work on. Tips for Anyone Looking to Switch to Tech Start before you feel ready because momentum comes from actionSeek out mentors because guidance will accelerate your learningBe open to starting small because the experience is worth more than the title at firstKeep evolving because tech is constantly changing and so should you Explore different paths because sometimes your true passion in tech is not the first thing you try Start before you feel ready because momentum comes from action Seek out mentors because guidance will accelerate your learning Be open to starting small because the experience is worth more than the title at first Keep evolving because tech is constantly changing and so should you Explore different paths because sometimes your true passion in tech is not the first thing you try Being a Woman in Tech Being a woman in tech, especially from Nigeria, comes with its challenges. But it also comes with the opportunity to inspire and pave the way for others. I have been fortunate to mentor other women and see them succeed and I know how much representation matters. Now, in the UK, I remain passionate about building inclusive teams and helping others navigate their own path into tech. My story is one of resilience, curiosity and choosing long-term growth over immediate comfort. If you are standing at a crossroads, wondering whether to take the leap into something new, my advice is simple. Trust yourself and go for it.

This story contains AI-generated text. The author has used AI either for research, to generate outlines, or write the text itself. 

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