‘How I survived intimidation in a male dominated field’

Victoria Aduwo was one of the top 10 selected out of 2,000 Nigerian undergraduates shortlisted for a global information and communications technology competition called Seeds for The Future in China with other undergraduates from around the globe. In an interview by PAUL OMOROGBE she speaks on how she survived intimidation in a male dominated field at the university to become an internationally recognized innovator.

 

HOW  did you overcome family and societal expectations of a woman?

I remember what it was like trying to convince my parents to allow me study Chemical Engineering in the University. My dad wanted me to be a Medical Doctor. He clearly had his plans for me especially given my position in the family.

I was constantly reminded that I needed to spend more time building myself as a woman, and not chasing ‘unrealistic’ dreams. The African society still considers, the woman’s role as being primarily in the home. I do not entirely disagree, because the home and family should remain important to a woman. However, I do not agree with the idea that a woman should spend the better part of her life in the kitchen, or in the other room for that matter.

The world is itself the woman’s kitchen – a place she prepares and incubates her dreams before serving it to the world to enjoy. I am glad there are many more women in ICT, and that these women are looking to make a difference.

 

How did you handle intimidation at the university?

I remember studying Chemical Engineering at Lagos State University (LASU). The course was expectedly male dominated and I faced the typical challenges women face being a woman in such environments. People doubted my ability when I tried to prove myself. I was either not given the full credit for my work, or not rewarded for it at all.

This was very discouraging. For the first time in my life, I understood what it meant being in a man’s world. When I tried to be a voice, I was shut down; sometimes by threats. There were times when I would have spent all week building a model or perfecting an experiment. Yet the focus of students and teachers alike seemed to dwell lower down my anatomy than where my mind occupied. My hard work was often times secondary. However, I was determined to keep on trying and I am glad I did because all the hard work eventually paid off.

 

How I had the opportunity to travel t0 China

I had heard a lot about China but like many people of my generation, China meant Kung Fu. China meant the place where anything could be manufactured at low quality. I also innocently had the impression that it was a big country with poor people, poor housing and electricity problems. Although I knew it was a tech-driven society, I didn’t know to what extent until I was given the opportunity to see for myself.

My trip to China was facilitated by the‘Seeds for the Future’project championed by Huawei Technologies in partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria. I had heard of the Seeds for the Future programme through a friend who sent me the ICT for Change website link. When I told my parents about it, they thought it was one of those scams or‘promise and fail’offers by the Nigerian government.

Though my parents agreed that I apply, no one really expected me to be shortlisted. After all, applications had come from all over Nigeria. Having applied via the online portal, we got feedback after three months that I was one of the shortlisted students. I was so excited but this was just the first phase.

My parents had slowly started to believe but they still had doubts of my final selection. We were invited for the training programme, and scheduled to write an exam afterwards. Forty out of 2000 students from different Nigerian universities were eventually selected.

The next phase was the interview, after which, 10 finalists were selected, and I was one of the 10. My parents could not have been prouder! To be a top 10 candidate from a pan Nigeria exercise, which only required intellectual input was an achievement almost unparalleled in my entire existence so far. Getting the B.Sc. in engineering was special but this was a completely different kind of rush.

 

How Exposure to smart technology?

Nothing could have prepared me for what I saw in China. Guangzhou airport alone was a wonder. On our trip to Shenzhen, I was completely blown away. During my stay, I realised China was made up of ultra-modern cities, high level technologies, state of the art transport systems and great infrastructure. My original perception was completely wrong.

I particularly loved the Yellow Bike Park, which has bicycles accessible for public use via a mobile app. The app grants access to use the bike and make payment when returned. I saw cars and buses running on electricity. What a wonderland!

Through the Seeds for the Future platform, we learnt so much about ICT and got first-hand experiences in a global ICT firm from leading ICT facilitators. I got hands-on with state of the art technologies.

My knowledge of ICT prior to the trip was clearly limited. I was introduced to the endless possibilities of information technology. I learnt about Smart Cities, Smart Banking, Smart Housing, Smart Digital Pipelines, Smart Agriculture, and Telemedicine. I learnt so much. My desire for innovation and to make an impact soared to an all-time high. Once again, I dared to dream. I could truly achieve anything I set my mind to.

Travelling to China broadened my horizon. I had a rich experience of the Chinese culture and visited so many historical centers like the Great Wall of China, the Zoo and Pearl Market in Beijing, Folk Town and Luohu Market in Shenzhen. I met other students from all over the world.

I made new friends from different countries like Ecuador, Sweden, Peru and we still keep in touch up till now.

Professionally, my trip to China inspired me to keep believing that I had a future in ICT. I have developed more passion for innovation. I hope to acquire my Masters degree and probably get a doctorate degree in Information and Communication Technology, ICT.

 

On the potential of ICT in Nigeria?

Now I am back in Nigeria, with my nine colleagues, and I have new skills ready to execute on projects I am currently running. ICT is clearly the future, and has the capacity to change lives. I am so fired up and excited for the future of ICT in Nigeria, especially with my desire to train the coming generation of ICT enthusiasts.

I recommend that the Nigerian government should explore the endless possibilities of ICT just like China has done to tremendously enhance its economy, particularly in the areas of human capacity building, knowledge acquisition and the creation of innumerable opportunities for individuals to optimise their potentials. ICT can be a part of our everyday lives, from smart education to smart telemedicine, smart communities and smart banking.

As Nigeria climbs back from its recent recession, the need for diversification increases and ICT can most definitely fast track the process. Currently, according to International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Nigeria is ranked 143 on the 2017 Global Ranking on ICT Development Index (IDI). This status can be improved with the joint effort of the Federal Government, academia, and the private sector.

With the appropriate funding for research and telecommunication infrastructure, and with the presence of leading ICT organisations like Huawei Technologies in Nigeria, the potential for success is without limit.

Through structured exchange programmes, Nigerian ICT students can attend foreign programmes in China and other leading ICT countries, to improve their skills. An ICT University with global facilitators can also be built in Nigeria. These skills and exposure can be used to improve the Nigerian economy.