November’s Journey of Impact: From Stage to Community.
Do you know that feeling when you start something with uncertainty, only to discover it’s exactly where you belong? It’s like trying a new dish for the first time — hesitant at first bite but so drawn in by the taste that you’re ready to order a second plate. That’s how speaking engagements have become a transformative journey for me.
This past month has been a whirlwind of experiences, emotions, and, most importantly, impact. It’s not just about the tweets, comments, and messages of appreciation that flood my inbox after each talk — it’s the realization of the positive change I’ve helped inspire.
But like every rewarding journey, there are costs. The sacrifices of time, comfort, and financial resources weigh heavily, but the sense of fulfillment far outweighs them. Whether it’s the mental adjustment to a new environment, the uncomfortable logistics of travel, or the late nights preparing, I remind myself why I do this: to inspire, to educate, and to give back.
Let me take you along on three of my most memorable engagements in November.
Droidcon Uganda: Turning Challenges into Triumphs
My trip to Uganda was a mix of excitement and unexpected hurdles. The flight went smoothly, and I was anticipating getting the rest I deserved. However, my excitement dimmed when I arrived at the hotel I had pre-booked online. It was the classic case of “what I ordered vs. what I got.”
The room was far from my expectations, and as I settled in, the discomfort of being in an unfamiliar place without a way to immediately rectify the situation weighed heavily on me. For a moment, I questioned if all the effort, time, and sacrifice leading up to this trip was worth it. I even considered heading back to Nigeria. But then, I reminded myself of the countless hours I had spent preparing for this event — the slides, the effort, and the impact I envisioned making.
So, I stayed.
At the event, I delivered a talk on System Design, focusing on practical insights and strategies for developers. I also participated as a panelist, discussing industry trends and sharing actionable advice with tech enthusiasts. A highlight of my talk was the concept of the three stages of a developer’s journey:
- The Learning Stage — Where developers build foundational skills and hone their craft.
- The Earning Stage — When they begin to leverage their expertise to secure financial stability and advance their careers.
- The Giving Back Stage — A point in their journey where they use their knowledge and experience to mentor, teach, and uplift others in the community.
The simplicity and relatability of this framework resonated with the audience. They listened attentively, and I could feel the energy in the room shift as the ideas resonated. What I found most gratifying was how feedback began pouring in even before I left the stage. Attendees approached me with questions, comments, and heartfelt gratitude for sharing practical advice they could immediately apply.
But the experience didn’t end there. Throughout the event, I connected with developers and enthusiasts, exchanging ideas and building meaningful relationships. The feedback continued even after I returned to Nigeria, with messages and tweets affirming the impact my talk had made.
This experience taught me an invaluable lesson: resilience pays off. Despite the initial discomfort and doubts, showing up with purpose turned a challenging start into a rewarding and impactful engagement. Droidcon Uganda wasn’t just a speaking opportunity — it was a reminder of the importance of pushing through discomfort to make a difference and I documented the memory in video here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCghzgCAnyl/?igsh=N3hiN3B3YzNibGtu
DevFest Kaduna: Embracing Culture and Connection
My next stop was DevFest Kaduna, held on November 23rd. If Uganda tested my resilience, Kaduna showcased the beauty of embracing the unexpected. First lesson learned : Kaduna is cold. Having packed light, Lagos-style clothes, I wasn’t prepared for the chill that greeted me. Yet, the city’s peace, decency, and cultural pride quickly warmed my heart.
On the day of the event, I was blown away by the audience turnout. I had set my expectations low, but walking into a packed venue filled me with a sense of joy and confidence. The energy in the room was electric.
I listened to other brilliant speakers deliver their talks, learning from their insights before stepping on stage myself. For 30 minutes, I had the audience’s full attention, breaking down complex technical jargon into relatable terms -that’s my style of teaching and that’s what I want to be known for. When my time was up, the audience graciously allowed me to continue, eager to soak up more.
After my talk, attendees approached me to connect, expressing how much they could relate to my message. Tweets and messages followed, reaffirming the impact I had hoped to make. It was humbling to see how my words had resonated with so many, reigniting my desire to keep pushing forward. You can catch a video representation of my DevFest Kaduna experience here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DC1OJ2Vg2U-/?igsh=dWJhemZpMWlmNWh0
DevFest Ogbomosho: A Testament to the Power of Community
The last, but certainly not the least highlight of November was DevFest Ogbomosho. Even now, I find myself reliving the sheer bliss of that experience. It was a long, tiring road trip, but every second spent on the journey was worth it. The moment I stepped into the hall, I was struck by the meticulous organization of the event. Kudos to the organizers for their attention to detail and the seamless execution of such a grand gathering.
The audience? Absolutely energetic! It was a hall filled with students and you know the kind of energy that’s always present in the gathering of Nigerian students. Their excitement, curiosity, and eagerness to learn could be felt. Their vibe was contagious, and I craved and wished that I was a Gen Z.
The night before the event, I had the pleasure of meeting some incredible tech enthusiasts — individuals excelling in their fields who were also part of the speaker lineup. Conversations with them was a warm exchange of ideas, experiences, and aspirations. We bonded over shared goals and tech dreams, setting the tone for the inspiring day ahead.
A Stage, A Lesson, and A Community
What made this event unique wasn’t just the audience’s enthusiasm but their response afterward. When I wrapped up, the compere closed with a Yoruba phrase that hit me right in the heart: “Ti ogun eni ba dani loju, aa fin gbari ni” — “If you are confident in what you carry, you express it with pride and confidence.” That moment solidified the entire experience for me.
The real magic happened post-session. This wasn’t just about taking pictures or exchanging pleasantries. It was about mentorship requests, meaningful conversations, and building connections. I shared my contact, connected on LinkedIn, and gave instant advice to budding techies. The realization that my words could help shape someone’s journey was deeply rewarding. Here’s a snippet of my session and the heartwarming feedback it brought: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDFsxlmo8qb/?igsh=MXVyZGRsd3F3eXpzMw==
Building the Infinite Community
All these impacts made in this short period of time, particularly my experience at DevFest Ogbomosho planted a seed — a desire to create something bigger than myself. The sheer number of mentorship requests and interactions reaffirmed the need for a structured platform where tech enthusiasts can grow together. With this in mind, I’ve decided to launch The Infinite Community in the first quarter of 2025.
The Infinite Community will be a learning haven for aspiring and established techies alike — a space to learn, share, and become better. The vision is clear: to provide a roadmap that simplifies the tech journey while fostering collaboration among tech enthusiasts.
If this vision resonates with you, I invite you to be part of this growing family. A waitlist is already underway, and the excitement is palpable. Together, let’s build something that leaves a lasting impact — not just for us but for the generations of techies to come. You’re one click away from being on the waitlist: https://wa.link/4e4bvn
Here’s to The Infinite Community, where we journey farther, together.
