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In a rapidly evolving global job market, Draper Nation hosted its first-ever Nigerian meetup. It aimed at equipping tech enthusiasts and professionals with the skills needed to thrive in the digital age.
RELATED: The future of work
Held at the innovative Code Campus in Abuja, the event attracted a diverse audience. They explored the theme, “The Future of Work: Skills and Tools Needed to Thrive in the Evolving Digital Job Market.”
Mayokun Adeoti, the event’s organiser and moderator, kicked off the session with an energetic introduction. This followed by an opening prayer by Oluwadamilola Ilupeju. A mini-networking session allowed participants to connect before diving into the key discussions of the day.
Draper Nation: A Global Vision for Tech Collaboration
Brad Wilcox Speaking remotely
The keynote address was delivered remotely by Brad Wilcox, Product Manager at Draper Nation. Wilcox highlighted the organisation’s mission to foster a global network of future-focused, pragmatic thinkers. Founded to promote community-driven growth and collaboration, Draper Nation brings together tech talents from across the globe. The organisation has presence in over 100 countries. It’s focus is to create a dynamic ecosystem that connects Ambassadors (teachers) and Citizens (learners) for impactful knowledge exchange.
Wilcox emphasised Draper Nation’s role in facilitating high-quality discussions and collaboration, positioning the network as a critical platform for tech professionals to grow together.
Key highlights from Wilcox
- Global Vision: Draper Nation aims to bring together tech talents from around the world, encouraging high-quality discussions and entrepreneurial collaboration.
- Inspiration: The network was created out of a recognized need for a global platform where technology professionals can collaborate and grow together.
- Core Goals:
- Building a connected, global community of tech professionals.
- Facilitating knowledge exchange through organized events.
- Fostering an environment where individuals can ask hard questions and learn from one another.
Future-Proof Your Career: Critical Tech Skills for Success
Chidiebere Ojingwa speaking at the event
The second session, led by Chidiebere Ojingwa from the UK, focused on the essential skills needed to succeed in today’s tech landscape. He highlighted several key areas of high demand, including data literacy, artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, cybersecurity, and product management. Ojingwa stressed the importance of mastering platforms like GitHub for collaboration and building a personal brand with a strong resume and portfolio optimized for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
Soft Skills: The Key to Long-Term Success
Beyond technical expertise, the event also addressed the importance of soft skills in the tech industry. Adaptability, problem-solving, and effective communication were identified as critical factors in long-term career growth. Networking and building professional relationships through a collaborative mindset were also emphasized as essential to thriving in the digital job market.
Interactive Panel Discussion: Insights into the Future of Work
Panel Discussion
A panel discussion moderated by Ben Aren brought the event to a deeper level of engagement, with tech experts like Cascarr Ihesie, Abimbola Aiyedogbon, KingImmanuel Edoh, and Damilola Ilupeju sharing real-world applications of the skills discussed. The interactive dialogue provided attendees with actionable insights into the evolving demands of the tech job market.
Key Discussion Points
- Data Literacy: With the explosion of data-driven decision-making, the need for data scientists and analysts has skyrocketed.
- AI and Cloud Computing: Expertise in AI, machine learning, and cloud platforms like AWS is in high demand across various industries.
- Cybersecurity: As the digital space grows, so does the need for cybersecurity experts to safeguard data and systems.
- Core Programming: Programming skills remain a cornerstone of tech roles, and mastering languages like Python or Java is crucial.
- Product Management: Managing the entire lifecycle of tech products effectively has become a key role in many companies.
Conclusion and Action Steps
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by David Adeola Adelakun and a closing prayer by Lukman Aliyu. Attendees were encouraged to take action by networking, upskilling continuously, and leveraging platforms like Draper Nation to stay connected and contribute to the global tech ecosystem.
In the end, the meetup proved to be a valuable platform for learning, collaboration, and networking, leaving participants better prepared to navigate the ever-changing digital job market.
