In Nigeria’s rapidly evolving tech ecosystem, women are no longer standing on the sidelines. Yet, for every story of progress, there’s still a call for deeper inclusion, especially at leadership levels.
In this chat with Unyime Tommy, Managing Partner at Assurdly, we discuss how far women have come in tech and what still needs to change.
Progress, But Not Plateau
Reflecting on her own journey, Unyime describes the progress of women in tech as “progressive.”
“When I first joined Switch, my bosses were female,” she recalls. “That experience set the tone for me; it showed that women could lead and lead well.”
She believes representation at entry and mid-level roles has grown significantly, but leadership remains an area that needs intentional focus.
“We need more women at the top,” she says. “When I’m asked to recommend a CTO, I can think of five men immediately, but rarely a woman. That tells me we still have work to do to hasten the growth trajectory of women in tech.”
The challenge isn’t access, it’s retention and consistency
Unyime notes that accessibility to tech opportunities has improved, thanks to remote work and open learning platforms. However, the real challenge lies in persistence.
“Some days it feels like the work is too hard or too complex,” she admits. “But if you’ve set your mind to it, stay consistent. Don’t derail just because there’s another option out there. Find what you love something you’d do even when it’s not paying well and let that passion sustain you.”
According to her, the key to thriving in tech isn’t just skill, it’s resilience and clarity of purpose.
Policy: Starting from the Foundation
Asked about what governments can do to support more women in tech, Unyime believes the real change starts much earlier than the workplace.
“We need to begin from primary and secondary schools,” she emphasizes. “At that foundational level, it’s easier to learn. Many private schools already integrate digital and coding curricula but government schools should too.”
She advocates for government-backed policies that make early tech education universal, rather than a privilege reserved for private institutions.
“If children in public schools get the same exposure early, they’ll be empowered to make better career choices and become employable in the future.”
Looking Ahead
Unyime’s reflections highlight both the progress and the unfinished business in the journey toward gender balance in tech. More women are entering the field, but the next frontier is leadership, ensuring that the pipeline doesn’t thin out as the roles become more demanding.
Her message is clear:
“We don’t just need more women in tech. We need more women leading tech.”
About Assurdly:
Assurdly is a technology company focused on delivering scalable solutions across industries, driving digital transformation, and enabling businesses to leverage technology for growth.
Read Also: https://techsudor.com/building-tech-communities-these-tools-make-it-easier/
