When I ventured into the world of technology at first, my motivation was to search for a solution to problems that matter.
What I was not fully aware of then was the fact that this journey would also transform me in terms of building and leading tech communities.
All through my years’ work with brilliant souls and great events and collaborations that have given shape not only to my life but my city as well, I have journeyed through challenges, lessons, and moments of deepest fulfillment.
When you talk of leading a tech community, it does not mean just organizing meetups or managing Slack channels.
It is a community creating a space for the people to find value, support, and empowerment for their growth. I quickly came to learn with the start that the major grounding point for community is the ability to forge genuine connections among people.
No one joins a community to learn new skills or build networks; it’s about a sense of belonging. This realization became the basis I set my approach upon.
So setting up a friendly environment with the priorities that everyone and anyone would be welcome to participate regardless of background and level of experience was set.
This philosophy became the cornerstone in 2018 when I co-founded the Makurdi chapter of the Google Developer Group (GDG).
As a founding co-organizer, I wanted to cultivate an inclusive tech community where developers, designers, and tech enthusiasts of all levels could come together for networking, learning, and growth.
With support from Google through developer relations programs, we were able to create a space that truly embodied this vision of belonging first, skill development second.
One of the most challenging things I had to experience early on was how to keep the fire burning for engagement.
Quite easy to get everyone excited about a new initiative; keeping that enthusiasm and interest is another story entirely. I learned that it was mostly consistency; whether it would be regular events, sharing valuable resources or just checking in with members-there is something about showing up consistently building trust and keeping the community alive.
Consistency isn’t all, and the content and activities also have to be meaningful and relevant to the members’ needs.
It means you need to listen in and change your ways. One instance of this was when I found many members having issues of impostor syndrome, I set up workshops and discussions in building confidence and overcoming self-doubt.
Not only did such sessions answer a real need, but they also strengthened the sense of camaraderie in our community.
This approach to consistent, meaningful engagement manifested in our GDG Makurdi meetups and workshops like Google I/O watch parties and Flutter study jams.
Each event was designed not just for technical learning but with the aim of helping individuals skill up and land their first tech jobs or better paying positions.
Seeing community members advance in their careers through these initiatives reinforced the value of listening closely to the community’s needs and adapting our approach accordingly.
One other essential lesson I learned here is about collaboration. No individual can successfully build a growing tech ecosystem. It takes a village—developers, designers, entrepreneurs, educators, and policymakers—all working together toward a common goal.
I made it a point to partner with other organizations, whether in the tech-space or not, to amplify our impact.
Those collaborations yielded new great opportunities for the members, be it internships, job placement, funding, or mentorship-access to vast opportunities directly tied to the development of our community as a hub of innovation and talent, thus, attracting many other stakeholders and resources.
This collaborative spirit came to life when we organized the regional Google Devfest in Abuja—the North-Central Devfest in 2018 and 2019—which drew over 900 attendees collectively.
The success of these regional events taught me the power of connecting beyond our immediate community to create even greater impact.
Similarly, our local Devfest Makurdi events in those same years brought together over 340 attendees and speakers from reputable tech organizations nationwide, further solidifying our position as a significant contributor to Nigeria’s broader tech ecosystem.
One thing I enjoy most about leading a tech community is probably seeing its ripple effects. I have seen members grow from timid novices to confident professionals, start their own businesses, and sometimes even like to give back by mentoring.
These stories certainly embody the power of community in stimulating growth as much individually as collectively.
But they emphasize a larger message: a thriving tech ecosystem thrives based on its success. By investing in people, we invest in the future of this ecosystem.
The growth of GDG Makurdi to reach over 2,000 participants across all our events, meetups, workshops and other initiatives stands as testament to this ripple effect.
Each individual who gained confidence, skills, or connections through our community represents a building block in Makurdi’s evolving tech ecosystem.
Their successes became our collective success, creating a virtuous cycle of growth and innovation that continues to this day.
It of course has had its rough patches. Times when events failed, partnerships fell apart, or members slipped away. It taught me about resilience and adaptability. Instead of failing, I learned how to see such moments as great opportunities to learn and become better.
For instance, when the pandemic prompted us to cancel our in-person events, we shifted gears to virtual platforms, which not only kept the community going but also expanded our audience into the global arena.
So, what does it take to grow a local tech ecosystem? From my experience, it boils down to having a clear vision and commitment to serving the community.
Empathy, consistency, and a willingness to collaborate also are crucial. Most importantly, though, it requires believing in people’s potential. Everyone offers unique skills, perspectives, and ideas into their tech community.
By making it earnestly thrive as a collective whole, we will activate the potential within the ecosystem.
Where do you want me to start? Start where you are is my best advice to anyone wanting to lead tech communities or contribute to the local ecosystem.
You don’t need a fat budget or posh title to make a difference. Begin with identifying a need and taking small, intentional steps to meet it.
A study group, webinar, or mentorship-who knows where things start, but every bit counts. And journey is as important as destination. Celebrate small wins; learn lessons from failures and keep moving forward.
This was exactly our approach with GDG Makurdi—starting small with focused meetups and gradually building up to major events like Devfest.
The growth didn’t happen overnight, but through persistent effort and a commitment to meeting the specific needs of our community. Each Flutter study jam or I/O watch party was a stepping stone that built both our confidence as organizers and the community’s trust in our vision.
I have to say that I am really grateful to have had the opportunity to grow and lead tech communities.
It has been enlightening and shaping impact through learning and growing-the life experience that has shaped my career and deepened my understanding of being part of something bigger.
I keenly look forward to seeing how these communities grow into something even greater in future as I continue with them and the great innovations they will bring to life.
Because at the end of the day, it is not just about building a tech ecosystem; it is about building a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
It is a huge world and ever-evolving, but one thing is constant: the power of community. And in that, I think, is where the real magic happens.
*About the writer:
He has led design efforts at PWMI, A non profit focused on improving access to mental healthcare in low income countries and contributes to developing his local tech ecosystem through is work as a co-organizer with Google developer group Makurdi.
