A Nigerian software engineer, Olalekan Adekola, has shared practical insights on building a successful technology career, highlighting the importance of mentorship, remote work opportunities, and lifelong learning in navigating the rapidly evolving global tech industry.
The Guardian Nigeria. In an interview, Adekola explained that his technology journey began with a fascination with computers during his secondary school years, even though learning resources were limited at the time.
He later studied Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Lagos, where he first encountered programming through an introductory course during his second year.
Initially, the concepts were difficult to grasp, but a later course in digital electronics during his final year helped him better understand programming principles.
Through hands-on electronics projects using the Arduino platform, Adekola developed a deeper interest in programming and eventually transitioned into web development.
He leveraged online learning platforms such as Udemy and FreeCodeCamp to strengthen his skills, eventually landing his first local technology role in 2018 before moving into remote software engineering, competing in the global tech market.
With about five years of professional experience, Adekola said mentorship and community development remain central to his mission.
He mentors aspiring developers within his community and has also served as a mentor in the Andela Learning Community. In addition, he participates in developer communities such as Developer Circles Nigeria and regularly attends meetups to network with professionals in the technology ecosystem.
Speaking on how beginners can enter the technology field without prior experience, Adekola recommended frontend web development as one of the most accessible entry points.
According to him, beginners only need a basic understanding of how the internet works, along with a simple development environment, to start learning web technologies.
He noted that structured online courses can accelerate the learning process by providing curated content and access to learning communities.
He also addressed the possibility of career transitions from non-technical backgrounds into technology.
Adekola emphasized that not every tech role requires coding, explaining that professionals can leverage transferable skills from their existing careers. For example, individuals with marketing backgrounds can transition into product management roles, while customer service professionals can move into technical support positions after acquiring relevant training.
Beyond traditional learning paths such as boot camps and online courses, he encouraged aspiring tech professionals to attend technology conferences, meetups, and networking events where they can connect with experienced professionals and discover apprenticeship or volunteer opportunities.
Building personal tech projects or digital products can also serve as an unconventional entry point into the industry while helping learners develop practical experience.
The Guardian Nigeria, Adekola identified confusion over where to start as one of the biggest challenges faced by newcomers.
With countless programming languages, tools, and frameworks available, many beginners struggle to choose a learning path.
He advised aspiring developers to focus on mastering one area before exploring others, stressing that core programming concepts are transferable across different technologies.
He further highlighted the psychological pressures faced by beginners, including self-doubt and unrealistic expectations.
According to him, many newcomers believe they must master complex programming skills within a short time due to misleading information circulating on social media.
However, he stressed that learning software engineering is a gradual process that requires patience, consistent practice, and continuous revision of core concepts.
Explaining the value of foundational knowledge, Adekola noted that many tools and frameworks share common underlying principles.
In web development, for example, responsive design frameworks such as Bootstrap, Semantic UI, and Material UI rely on similar concepts that allow websites to function effectively across devices.
Likewise, programming paradigms such as object-oriented programming apply across multiple languages including Java, Python, and C#
He concluded by emphasizing that continuous learning is essential for long-term success in technology. Participating in global developer communities, attending virtual conferences, and engaging with technology leaders online can help professionals stay updated with industry trends while expanding their networks.
According to Adekola, software engineering is ultimately a lifelong learning journey where curiosity, persistence, and adaptability determine long-term growth.
Image Credit: The Guardian Nigeria
Source: The Guardian Nigeria
