Offa Tech Expo recently held its groundbreaking tech conference, drawing together students, professionals, and industry experts from across Nigeria. This two-day event was designed to inspire and equip young innovators with the knowledge, skills, and mentorship needed to excel in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. From secondary school students to university scholars, the conference provided valuable insights, career guidance, and hands-on learning experiences.
Day 1 Highlights: Building Digital Resilience and Future-Ready Careers
The event kicked off with a powerful keynote address by Prof. Abiodun Musa Aibinu, Vice Chancellor of Summit University, on the theme “The Power of Technology: From Local Impact to Global Change.” His speech set the tone for the entire conference, highlighting the immense potential of technology to address local challenges while making a global impact.
Session Highlights:
- Leveraging Technology for Social Good
Speaker: Dr. Tahir Oloyede, Head, Department of Information Technology, University of Ilorin
Dr. Oloyede explored how technology can be used to address pressing challenges in healthcare, education, and agriculture. His talk underscored how tech innovations can significantly improve the quality of life in underserved communities.
- The Rise of Robotics & AI
Speaker: Prof. Abiodun Musa Aibinu, Vice Chancellor, Summit University
Prof. Aibinu delved into the future of robotics and AI, discussing their transformative potential across various industries. He also highlighted career prospects in automation and AI technologies, which are rapidly becoming some of the most sought-after skills globally.
- The Evolving Landscape of Programming
Speaker: Mr. Tajudeen Abdulazeez Omotayo, Co-Founder, Cypher Devs
Mr. Omotayo provided insights into the latest programming languages, frameworks, and tools used in software development. He also discussed the various career paths available for developers, from frontend to backend programming.
- Designing the Future – A Career in Product Design
Speaker: Habibat Olaosebikan, Founder, Syberhost Nigeria
Habibat Olaosebikan captivated the audience with her discussion on product design. She explained the importance of UX/UI design in shaping user experiences and highlighted the many career opportunities in interaction design and industrial design.
- Securing the Digital Realm: A Career in Cybersecurity
Speaker: Dr. Olawoyin, Director, Cyber Security Centre, University of Ilorin
Dr. Olawoyin highlighted the importance of cybersecurity in protecting digital infrastructures. His session explored the growing field of cybersecurity, including ethical hacking, security best practices, and global cybersecurity threats.
General Tech Career Fair & Networking Session
The career fair was an exciting opportunity for students to connect directly with tech professionals and industry leaders. Hosted by Salami Abdullateef (Intern HR), the session allowed students to network, explore career options, and get advice on navigating the tech job market.
Day 2 of the conference brought together Nigerian tech industry leaders for a series of interactive discussions, mentorship opportunities, and inspiring talks on entrepreneurship and career growth in tech.
Fireside Chat with Industry Experts
In this engaging session, top professionals in the Nigerian tech industry shared their experiences, career journeys, and insights into emerging trends and opportunities.
- Careers in Tech
- Speakers: Mr. Surajudeen Jarus, CEO, Jarus Group & Salami Abdullateef (Intern HR)
- Tech Investment & Scaling Startups
- Speakers: Habibat Olaosebikan, Founder, Syberhost Nigeria & Mr. Tajudeen Abdulazeez Omotayo, Co-Founder, Cypher Devs
These speakers shared their experiences in growing successful tech startups and discussed the vital role of investment in scaling businesses.
- Tech Entrepreneurship
- Speakers: Temi Kolawole, Co-Founder, Ilorin Innovation Hub & Engineer Yusuf, DG, Tech Incubation Center
Scholarship Competition and Mentorship
One of the most impactful moments of the conference was the scholarship competition, where three secondary school students were awarded scholarships by Prof. Abiodun Musa Aibinu, along with a promise of mentorship throughout their university journey at Summit University. This initiative underscores the event’s commitment to nurturing young talent and providing them with the support needed to excel.
The Offa Tech Expo concluded on an inspiring note with closing remarks by Habibat Olaosebikan, Founder of Syberhost Nigeria. She urged students to seize the opportunities in the tech space, emphasizing that the future belongs to those who dare to innovate and solve problems using technology. Her heartfelt message was a powerful reminder that with the right support, vision, and determination, the next generation of Nigerian tech leaders is well on its way.
