Our reporter
In a bid to shape the next generation of Nigerian tech talent, Bincom Dev Centre has hosted an impactful virtual event on 31 May titled “Future Ready: Unlocking a Successful Digital Career”. The session brought together aspiring technologists, students, and young professionals for a deep dive into the realities and opportunities of the digital economy.
The event featured thought-provoking keynote speeches from Engr. Ako Agenmonmen, CEO of SurfSpot Communications Limited, and a Harvard-trained strategist, Olofu Mc-Adams, a seasoned Full Stack Developer and technology mentor. Both speakers shared valuable insights aimed at demystifying the digital career journey and empowering attendees to take charge of their professional futures.
In his keynote address, Engr. Ako Agenmonmen challenged participants to rethink success in the digital age. “The digital world isn’t just coming—it’s already here,” he said. “And it rewards those who are prepared, persistent, and willing to learn.”
He outlined five essential pillars for anyone aiming to thrive in a digital career: digital literacy, critical thinking, familiarity with tech tools, strong communication skills, and a commitment to continuous learning. He also highlighted emerging opportunities in data science, cybersecurity, UI/UX design, cloud computing, fintech, and digital marketing—fields he described as crucial to Nigeria’s digital future.
Underscoring the growing relevance of skills over degrees, Engr. Ako urged attendees to embrace both hard and soft skills, leverage accessible platforms like Coursera and LinkedIn Learning, and engage with tools such as GitHub and Canva. He further dispelled common myths—such as needing to be a coder or being “too old to start”—emphasising that curiosity, consistency, and community are far more valuable.
He concluded with a powerful call to action: “The future is hybrid. It’s global. It’s yours to create. Discover your path, learn continuously, showcase your work, and build networks that will support your journey.”
Following Engr. Ako’s address, Olofu Mc-Adams offered practical guidance on navigating the tech world with grit and purpose. Drawing on his extensive experience, Mc-Adams covered a range of topics including choosing a tech specialisation, building a project portfolio, contributing to open-source communities, and understanding the interplay between frontend and backend development.
“Tech is a builder’s playground,” he told attendees. “Whether you’re coding, designing, or solving problems—there’s space for you. But you must show up, learn fast, and build things that matter.”
With over 70% of Nigeria’s population under the age of 30, initiatives like Future Ready are vital to transforming the nation’s youthful energy into a digital dividend. Bincom’s commitment to equipping young Nigerians with relevant digital skills continues to position them for global opportunities and economic empowerment.
The event concluded with clear and actionable steps for participants to begin or accelerate their digital careers. These included: Enrolling in online platforms such as Coursera, Udemy, and Google Digital Garage, joining tech communities on Twitter, Discord, GitHub, and the Bincom network, showcasing work on LinkedIn, Behance, and personal websites, earning certifications in areas such as AWS Cloud, CompTIA Security+, and Google Cloud
Echoing the words of management guru Peter Drucker, Engr. Ako reminded attendees: “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” With that, he urged young Nigerians to take bold, deliberate steps towards a digital future of their own making.
