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From Art to Algorithms: My Unlikely Journey into IT

My journey into Information Technology began in 2004, perhaps by chance - or maybe through divine guidance. I am the fourth child in a family of eight. Growing up, I was deeply passionate about art. It was art or nothing for me. I hated school, was frequently bullied, and even failed and had to repeat SSS1.

As I approached the end of senior secondary school (although I stopped at SSS2), reality hit: I would need to find a way to support myself financially if I wanted to pursue higher education. My father was already beginning to struggle financially and I have noticed this, yet I had big dreams - dreams of becoming a successful, educated artist.

In 2004, I saved 3,000 naira from my feeding allowance and asked my father to support me with another 3,000 naira so I could learn desktop publishing. He initially refused, questioning why I would want to learn computers when I was so devoted to art. But I persisted, and he eventually agreed. That is how my journey into IT began.

Because he only reluctantly agreed to help with the training fee, I could not ask him for transport money. I walked an hour every day to the training center and did so for three months. After completing the course, I landed a job as a graphic designer for 3,000 naira per month with a programmer named Mr. Ade - I was his only employee. I still had to walk... Continue reading

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