I’m pretty sure we all hear so much about networking these days. Networking is like building your own Wi-Fi connection in the tech industry, the stronger your signal (relationships), the better your access to opportunities, insights, and collaborations. You don’t need to know everyone, just the right nodes to stay connected, updated, and empowered. In tech, I strongly believe in the power of community. You can’t live life alone, hence the skill or art of networking is very essential. Networking open doors to mentorships, collaborations, job offers and a simple way to begin networking if you don’t know where to start from is to leverage on social media especially if you’re the introverted type. Another way is attending physical events. Now, I’m not saying you should go on to talk to everybody and anybody. If you want to network, you have to start from the people around you. Start from the people within your reach. Of course, you might be able to reach out to CEOs and big tech influencers but it usually doesn’t come easy because they have their own people already. Look around you, try to study or pick out one or 2 people you think you might resonate with and strike a conversation with them. I’m pretty sure they’re there to meet and talk to people also and they are looking forward to it but might not be able to make the first move like you. This post, I believe will make you see things differently. Make the move if they won’t. Approach in a manner that would make them feel comfortable responding to you but do not overwhelm them with so many questions.  I was at an event in November 2024 and I was sort of listening to this guy sitting beside me as he engaged someone on his other side. I was surprised when he immediately turned to me and said “Hi, my name is Musa and I’m a fullstack developer. What’s your name”? I was amused and although I didn’t see that coming but I already had it at the back of my mind to strike a conversation with him because I was half listening to his conversation with the other person. It started in easy for me and I also met new people I started conversations with and up till this moment, we are very cool. They have helped in sharing links about updates in tech that have been beneficial. These guys know better as they have been in the tech space longer than I have been and we don’t even have to talk all the time but that way, I have established my network. If meeting people physically proves to be a hassle for you then try social media with the same strategy above. Simply observe. Read people’s profile, follow, checkout their timeline, their manner of interaction and then, you would know already if they’re the kind of people you want to build a connection with. Join online communities and be active, slide into people’s DMs but be very clear while stating your purpose. No long paragraphs. Networking is way beyond trying to collaborate so you can get better opportunities. It is about getting to connect with people on a deeper level trying to get to know the real them while building a surface level relationship with them. Respect them, boundaries, give back to your network or community and see how the relationship thrive into a strong bond automatically.Learn the act of following up after receiving assistance from your network. Ensure you grow together with your peers because your friends today become great networks tomorrow. Lastly, stay genuine and be ready to learn from anyone always. Article By: Abioye Rahmat

Breaking into tech can feel overwhelming, but mentorship is one of the easiest ways to fast-track your growth. I like to think of mentorship as a career booster, an opportunity that can open doors and shape your journey. It’s a lot like interning, where you learn directly from someone more experienced. In many ways, whoever guides you, teaches you, and supports your learning process can be seen as a mentor. That said, let’s be realistic: mentorship is great, but it’s not a must-have to land your first role in tech. Don’t get me wrong — I’ll explain why. There are majorly two sets of newbies in tech. The first sets are those that started their tech journey amidst an existing community. In that community, you have people you learn with, you have people that know more than you, you have people that can be referred to as seniors even though they’re still learning. Lastly, you have mentors/tutors, those that are solely in charge of walking you through your journey. They’re invested in seeing you succeed starting from the little projects/assignments they give you. In this kind of setting, you could always reach out to your seniors for assistance. These people are already experienced so they know how things are in the real world. Mentors are to hold your hands and guide you through till you land either an internship or a job role. In most cases, they put you on the next available role they find. That way, the journey seems much easier. The second set of newbies are those that learned the courses themselves. For these people, it may seem a bit difficult to land even an unpaid internship because all they depend on is what they have learned online. This is where the maximum use of social media comes in. They begin to search for communities to join online, they look out for resources and useful information that could help them land their first role. After so many efforts, consistency and perseverance, they eventually get what they want without exactly experiencing mentorship. What I’m saying in essence is, not everyone would undergo mentorship. If it comes, great, go for it because that’s a golden opportunity right there. If it doesn’t, do not focus on looking out for it instead focus on researching on what could make you become better and who knows, while searching and networking, you could find someone befitting to mentor you. Lastly, focus on learning more and prioritize internships because internships like I said earlier bring about mentorship.

Someone out there is probably conflicted about either transitioning into tech or debating on which aspect of tech to dive into. Thoughts like “I am confused about which aspect of tech to do” “I think I need career advice on what to choose” or in a scenario where you have actually decided on what to do but this thought pops in your head “oh, I do not know how to start or go about it”. If you find yourself in any of this category, move closer, I have got tips for you. Take it from someone that has been in your exact same shoes. Before we move further, breathe in, breathe out then we go one step at a time. The goal is not to overwhelm you, but to gently walk you through the process.  Steps to Help in Transitioning 1. Know What You Want Before diving in, take a moment to ask yourself: What exactly do I want to do in tech? There are so many paths—product management, design, software development, data analysis… the list goes on. You don’t need all the answers at once, but having an idea of where you want to go gives your journey direction. 2. Know Your Strengths Look within yourself. What are you already good at? Are you a problem-solver? Do you have great people skills? Then, I will tell you product and project management could work for you. Are you organized or creative? Design could be your calling if you are very creative. Do you love solving technical problems? building or developing stuff? You might want to check out software development. Your existing strengths can guide you toward the most suitable tech roles. You don’t need to start from zero—you’re bringing value already. 3. Do Your Research, Ask Questions For me, I always thank God that I am a Gen Z because I believe technology and social media are being utilized in full swing during this era. So, leverage on these tools. Do not limit your research to only social media. Google is your best friend. YouTube? Even better. Dive into articles to learn about the basics of what each tech course is about, watch videos, ask people already in tech about their journeys. Join communities. Be curious. The more you know, the clearer your path becomes. You are on the road to seeking clarity!  4. Start Learning—And Don’t StopOnce you’ve picked a path, start learning the ropes. There are loads of free and paid resources out there. Take it one step at a time. You don’t need to be an expert overnight. Just be consistent. Do not just be consistent. Be very consistent. Lock in! If you have the means, enroll in a paid course because that is where the real spice is. Take certifications very seriously also. See it as attending  school all over again. We spend 4, 5, 6 years in University just so we can learn the major things in our field of study. Do not give up if it takes you about 2 years to fully transition. The few years of locking in, hardwork and learning would blossom richly and you would be proud! 5. Learn, Learn, Keep Learning Now, I am mentioning this again because I know how it is. Learning is not a bed of roses. On the long run, you would feel exhausted, demotivated in fact. Take breaks but do not think of giving up. Giving up is not an option.  Enroll in a course. Notice I said a course, not courses. Remember, a step at a time. Complete one before enrolling into another. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and even local tech communities offer great programs. A structured course can help you stay focused and teach you practical, in-demand skills. 6. Talk to More People, Meet More People A secret recipe when transitioning into tech is networking and connecting with people in the space. Don’t walk this road alone. Talk to folks in tech, attend virtual meetups, join tech communities. And yes—learn how to sell yourself. Market your skills, even the ones that don’t look “techy” on the surface. Communication, teamwork, leadership—these matter too. 7. Use Social Media (and YouTube!) When I say use social media, I mean you should constantly talk about what you do. Post your works if you are in to coding and designs. Be consistent with this also because this way, people get familiar with your page. Social media algorithm, automatically links you up with people doing the same thing as you. That is an avenue to connect! Twitter, LinkedIn, even Instagram—these platforms are great for staying in the loop and connecting with tech people. And don’t sleep on YouTube—there’s a tutorial for almost everything. Keep digging, keep learning. 8. Attend Tech Events (and Volunteer!) Look out for tech conferences, webinars, and meetups happening around you. Better still, volunteer. This is another secret ingredient techies use to navigate their way when transitioning. Volunteering has helped and is still helping me and one thing I have learnt through this is, as you volunteer, in a way, you will be having fun! Do not go thinking tech is boring. Attending events, meeting people and volunteering makes it super fun. You might be wondering how to come across such events. Well, check point number 7 again. Social media helps in so many ways you cannot imagine. 9. Build a CV That Speaks For YouEven as a beginner, your CV can reflect the growth you’ve made. Include projects from your courses—whether it’s a website, a product case study, or data analysis. Keep it simple but solid. That is why I recommend taking a paid course the moment you have the means to. There are usually case projects to solve during the course. Those little projects you worked on, arrange them neatly in your CV. You don’t need a long CV, just one that shows you’re learning and serious.  10. Apply for InternshipsNow it’s time to get your hands extra busy. Look for internships—paid

Learning tech skills can feel like a marathon—exciting at first, exhausting in the middle, rewarding at the end. But what happens when motivation fades? You hit an error you can’t debug. A tutorial feels like gibberish. Progress slows.      Here’s how to keep going when tech starts feeling like a struggle.   1. Shift from Motivation to Discipline Motivation is unreliable—it comes and goes. Discipline keeps you moving. Set a schedule, even when you don’t feel like it. Small, consistent efforts add up. Even 30 minutes a day is better than waiting for a “perfect” study session.    2. Build, Don’t Just Consume Watching tutorials all day won’t make you a programmer. Apply what you learn by building projects, no matter how small. Clone a simple website. Automate a personal task. Break big goals into smaller wins. Action builds confidence.   3. Track Your Progress When learning feels slow, look back. Compare your skills now to where you started. Improvement is happening, even if you don’t see it daily. Keeping a coding journal or revisiting old projects can show just how much you’ve grown.   4. Join a Community Tech can be lonely, but it doesn’t have to be. Find peers, mentors, or online groups that push you forward. Being around people who share your struggles makes learning feel less overwhelming.    5. Embrace the Struggles Bugs, errors, and failed attempts aren’t roadblocks—they’re the process. Every tech expert was once a beginner fighting the same battles.   The secret? Keep showing up. Even on bad days. That’s how real progress happens. Now, go write that code.   Article By: Ekene Precious Chidubem An African child learning in schooI — Image by wirestock on Freepik

 Tech and remote jobs are booming, and the best part is that you don’t need a fancy degree; you just need skills and consistency. If you’re ready to dive in, here are the top roles and how to qualify for them.   1. Software Developer Why It’s in Demand: Every company needs apps, websites, or software to run smoothly. How to Qualify: Learn programming languages like Python or JavaScript. Platforms like freeCodeCamp make it easier than learning to drive in Lagos traffic.   2. Data Analyst Why It’s in Demand: Businesses need numbers to make smart moves. How to Qualify: Get familiar with Excel, SQL, and Python. Think of data like jollof rice—if the ingredients (numbers) are off, the whole thing flops.   3. Cybersecurity Analyst Why It’s in Demand: Organizations need experts to protect their data from constantly evolving cyber threats.  How to Qualify: Learn cybersecurity basics from TryHackMe or Coursera. It’s like learning how to lock your door properly so Yahoo Boys don’t hack in.   4. Digital Marketer Why It’s in Demand: Businesses need attention to increase sales and drive business growth, and social media is the new billboard. How to Qualify: Learn SEO, Google Ads, and content marketing. If marketing were a wedding, SEO would be the auntie who makes sure everyone eats.   5. UI/UX Designer Why It’s in Demand: A good design engages visitors and makes them want to stay on the website. How to Qualify: Learn tools like Figma or Adobe XD. Think of UI/UX like a restaurant—if the menu is confusing, people won’t stay to eat.   Getting Started? Pick one skill, practice with real projects, and build a portfolio. Remote jobs favor skills over degrees, so start small.  Article By: Ekene Precious Chidubem An African child learning in schooI — Image by wirestock on Freepik

Starting with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) might seem like entering a maze, but the basics are simpler than they appear. Whether you’re looking to build foundational skills or simply understand how ICT shapes daily life, here’s a breakdown to help you begin.   What Is ICT? ICT covers technology used to communicate, create, and manage information. This includes computers, mobile devices, software, the internet, and even tools like cloud storage.   Where to Start 1. Understand Hardware and Software Learn the difference between the physical parts of a computer (hardware) and the programs it runs (software). Start by identifying parts like the CPU, monitor, keyboard, and mouse, then explore operating systems like Windows or macOS. 2. Learn Basic Applications Master everyday tools like Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. These are essential for tasks like creating documents, managing data, and giving presentations. 3. Get Comfortable with the Internet Understand how to browse safely, use email, and search effectively. Sites like Google and YouTube are great for self-learning.   Free Resources for Beginners freeCodeCamp: Offers free lessons on computer basics and coding.   Digital Skills for Africa by Google: Focused on ICT and online business skills.   Khan Academy: Great for understanding technology concepts with simple explanations.   YouTube Tutorials: Search for videos on ICT basics—visual guides make it easier to grasp concepts.   Start Small, Stay Consistent Take it one step at a time. ICT is about practice, not perfection. Begin with small tasks, like typing or sending an email, and build from there. Soon, you’ll find it less overwhelming and more empowering. Article By: Ekene Precious Chidubem Image by freepik

Tech moves fast. Too fast to figure everything out alone. That’s where mentorship comes in. A good mentor helps you avoid common mistakes, see blind spots, and move faster than trial and error ever could.     Why Mentorship Matters You can Google coding problems, but you can’t Google experience. A mentor provides insights you won’t find in tutorials—how to navigate office politics, negotiate salaries, or choose the right career path. They shorten learning curves, help you think bigger, and challenge you to do more than you thought possible.     Finding the Right Mentor The best mentors aren’t always the ones with the most experience. They’re the ones who care about your growth. Look for someone whose career path aligns with where you want to go, someone who’s made mistakes and learned from them. And don’t always expect a formal invitation sometimes, mentorship happens through casual conversations, not scheduled meetings.     How to Be a Good Mentee Respect their time, show initiative, apply their advice instead of just collecting it. A great mentor can change your career while a great mentee makes it worth their while. If you’re serious about growing in tech, don’t do it alone.   Cactus Tech Mentorship helps aspiring tech professionals gain hands-on experience, industry insights, and career support. Mentees build a strong foundation for Career Success through expert sessions, networking, and personalized advice. For mentorship, contact info@cactustech. Article By: Ekene Precious Chidubem

  Knowing how to use technology isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. Yet, many Nigerian secondary schools still treat ICT as an optional subject, much like trying to pass a math exam without a calculator—you’re only making things harder for yourself. Here’s why that needs to change.   1. It Makes Learning Easier ICT tools like computers, online resources, and educational software help students learn better. It’s like giving them a sharp cutlass instead of a blunt knife; tasks become faster and smoother.   2. Digital Literacy is a Survival Skill From banking to business, everything is online. Without ICT knowledge, students might as well be navigating Lagos without Google Maps; frustrating and full of wrong turns.   3. Encourages Innovation and Creativity With ICT skills, students can build apps, start online businesses, or even become tech entrepreneurs. It’s like giving them a generator instead of just a candle—now they can power bigger dreams!   4. Bridges the Global Gap Nigerian students need to compete with their global peers. Without ICT, it’s like running a race with slippers while others have running shoes, it’s unfair and exhausting.   5. Job Opportunities Depend on It The world is moving digital, and employers want tech-savvy workers. Without ICT skills, students risk being like a DJ at a party with no speakers—plenty of vibes, but nothing to show for it!   The Bottom Line ICT isn’t just for tech careers—it’s part of everyday life. Schools need to take it seriously to prepare students for the future, or they’ll struggle to keep up. Article By: Ekene Precious Chidubem An African child learning in schooI — Image by wirestock on Freepik

Equipping schools with computers and other digital tools isn’t just a good idea—it’s the backbone of modern education. But for many Nigerian schools, the cost of purchasing devices is a major roadblock. The good news? There are financing options that can help schools get the tech they need without breaking the bank. Because let’s face it, expecting students to learn ICT without devices is like asking them to swim without water!   1. Government and NGO Grants Several government initiatives and nonprofit organizations offer grants to support digital learning. Schools just need to apply, meet the criteria, and secure funding to upgrade their ICT facilities. Think of it as a scholarship, but instead of helping one student, the whole school benefits.   2. Device Leasing Programs Instead of buying devices outright, schools can lease computers, tablets, or smartboards for a fixed period. It’s like renting a school bus instead of buying one—you get what you need without the heavy upfront cost. Better to have a working borrowed laptop than a dusty, broken one sitting in the principal’s office like an abandoned project.   3. Buy-Now-Pay-Later (BNPL) Plans Some tech companies and financial institutions offer installment payment plans for schools. This allows them to spread payments over months or even years while students start using the devices immediately. It’s like collecting your school uniform in JSS1 and paying for it in SS3—makes life easier!   4. Public-Private Partnerships Collaborations between the government and private companies often bring subsidized tech programs to schools. These partnerships make devices more accessible and come with training and maintenance support. Think of it as having a rich uncle who sponsors your school’s ICT lab—except this uncle actually follows through!   5. Crowdfunding and Community Support Some schools have successfully raised funds for ICT equipment through crowdfunding platforms or community donations. It’s slow but effective when the right network gets involved. After all, even small drops of water can fill a bucket, and in this case, the bucket is full of computers!   Making Technology Accessible Access to technology shouldn’t be a privilege. With flexible financing options, Nigerian schools can equip students with the tools they need to compete in a digital world. Because in this digital age, trying to run a school without ICT is like using a slingshot in a coding competition—outdated and ineffective! Article By: Ekene Precious Chidubem

What Schools Often Overlook in Their Computer Labs   When schools set up computer labs, the focus often lands on one thing: the technology itself. High-performance computers, fast internet, and modern software usually take center stage. But is that enough to create an effective learning environment?   Here’s the reality: even the most advanced equipment can fall short if the space itself doesn’t support learning.   Consider the layout. A poorly organized lab—tight spaces, awkward workstation placement, or limited mobility is like inviting chefs to a cooking competition but giving them only raw yam—what are they supposed to do with that. Students might feel cramped, distracted, or disconnected from the tasks at hand.   What about comfort? Seating and desk design are often overlooked but it’s like wedding jollof rice—without it, is it really even a party? Uncomfortable chairs or desks at the wrong height can lead to fatigue, impacting how long students can stay focused   Lighting is another detail that’s often neglected. Too dim, and students strain their eyes. Too harsh, and the glare from screens becomes a distraction. Striking the right balance can make a significant difference in how students interact with the space.   The best computer labs don’t just house technology—they create an environment where students can thrive. Thoughtful design choices, like ergonomic furniture, flexible layouts, and strategic lighting, can enhance both focus and collaboration. If your school’s computer lab is like a football match without a ball, the issue might not be the tech. It could be the setup. Take a closer look at how the space works—or doesn’t work—for the students who use it. Small changes can yield big results.    Article By: Ekene Precious Chidubem