By Rose Okudaye and Stellamaris Ashinze
Mrs Temitope Olagunju, an alumni of the Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre (WTEC), says discrimination and intimidation against women in technology remains a major challenge.
Olagunju spoke during an alumni engagement with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos where beneficiaries of the organisation’s programmes shared how the digital skills training had transformed their lives and careers.
She said that discrimination forced many women to constantly have to prove their competence in professional spaces.
She said that there were moments she broke down emotionally and considered giving up, because of the stereotypes and bias women faced in the male-dominated environment.
According to her, the intimidation is real.
“Sometimes, when you get into certain spaces, people assume you are there to serve the tea or serve the food and not to contribute meaningfully.
“They expect you to serve tea because you are a woman but I am not at the table to serve tea; I am there to refine the table,” she said.
According to Olagunju, who was also a Doctoral Researcher at the University of Lagos, the training received through WTEC helped her develop confidence, intentionality and a growth mindset.
She noted that these qualities enabled her to push through difficult moments.
“There were days I cried and wanted to give up, but I kept encouraging myself and the women around me.
“I kept telling them, ‘If I can, you can’,” she said.
Olagunju said that her consistency in advocating for women and encouraging others later earned her recognition as a Senior Advocate for Growth Mindset in Lagos State.
She described the WTEC training as life-changing, noting that it came at a period when she was mourning the loss of her husband and searching for direction.
“At that point in my life, I felt lost and I wanted more out of life, the programme helped me rediscover purpose and rebuild myself,” she said.
The alumna said the digital training exposed her to practical technology skills that improved her productivity and expanded her career opportunities.
“I used to think Microsoft Word was just about opening a page and typing, but I discovered there was much more to it. I learnt things like Mail Merge and other hidden tools that improve efficiency,” she said.
According to her, the training also exposes participants to journalism, photography, content creation and digital communication.
She added that the exposure earned her an all-expenses-paid trip to South Africa for a certificate course in journalism alongside other African women.
According to Olagunju, the programme later inspired her to venture into entrepreneurship after she successfully pitched her business idea, “Adire Tire,” and received financial support from WTEC to start the business.
She noted that the experience also inspired her to begin writing and she is currently working on a book titled, “The Dangerous Woman.”
Olagunju said: “If you don’t want to be dangerous, you will be endangered.
“The book is about encouraging women to stop shrinking themselves and understand that they deserve to occupy spaces where decisions are made.”
Another alumna, Miss Favour Eden, also known as Miss WTEC 2024, said the organisation helped her discover her passion for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and gave her clarity about her future career path.
Eden said she first encountered WTEC through its academy programme in her secondary school, where girls were trained in animation, video creation and game development using Scratch and related applications.
“What stood out for me was the organisation’s intentionality. They ensured every girl gained something meaningful from the programme,” she said.
According to her, the experience later earned her a scholarship to participate in the annual She Creates Camp, where she emerged as the best participant and became Miss WTEC 2024.
She said the programme also improved her communication, networking and leadership skills.
Eden, who is preparing to study Mechanical Engineering at the university, encouraged young girls to remain determined despite challenges.
“If you don’t fight, you cannot win. Just because you are a girl does not mean you should limit yourself. Be the best version of yourself wherever you find yourself,” she said.
NAN reports that WTEC, a non-governmental organisation, founded in 2008, has trained more than 60,000 women and girls across Nigeria through programmes focused on bridging the gender gap in STEM and digital technology.
The WTEC programmes also provide free digital training, mentorship and exposure opportunities for women and girls in schools and communities across the country. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Christiana Fadare
