My CcHUB Journey: From Tech Rookie to Pan-African Changemaker!

Monday, October 14th 2024 officially marked my last day at Co-creation Hub as a Community Manager for 6- years cumulatively.

Let me give you a backstory. I walked into CcHUB back in 2018 as a rookie in tech. Fast forward 6 years after, I've had the privilege of working across multiple teams, practices, unit, countries at a Pan-African level—spanning our branches in Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Namibia. It’s been a tough ride, full of challenges and rewarding moments that have truly shaped my journey.

One of the standout experiences I'll forever cherish was working on the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Program in Nigeria and Kenya. As a Community Manager, I had the pleasure of supporting 24 startups selected for two cohorts, helping them navigate their path to success through community engagement initiatives.

Another project that left a mark on me was the Bill and Melinda Gate Foundation Project focused on foundational literacy and numeracy across Sub-Saharan Africa. Other amazing projects and initiatives include: SafeOnline with Meta, Project Bridge by Google in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, EdTech Festival across 5 states; Ibadan, Abia, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Lagos, Let's Build Africa, Moonshot by TechCabal 2024 with CcHUB as Program Partner, the SAIL Acceleration Program Cohort II. Each one was a stepping stone in my growth and impact journey.

It wasn't all about projects! Over the years, I’ve proudly coordinated over 200 high profile tours for more than 2,000 guests, helping them discover the vibrant world of CcHUB and the Nigerian tech ecosystem. From Jack Dorsey, Co-founder and former CEO, Twitter, to Sir Tim Berners-Lee the father of the World Wide Web, Mastercard Foundation team and John Palfrey (President, McArthur Foundation), Ekiti State Government tour, the Harvard African Caucus Group Tour, the British High Commissioner, US Consular General to Nigeria, Norwegian Consular General, Council Tour.

The Art of Technology Tour, G.A.V.I vaccine alliance Tour, the Datadortorg Tour, the Aalto University Finland Tour, Enterprise Development Centre Tour, MTN & Pan Atlantic University Tour, Edo Innovates & World Bank Tour, Lofty Inc Tour, MTN NextGen Manco Tour, WARIH & FCDO Tour, UK - Director General Tour, UK - South Africa Tech Hub Tour, TechCabal Ecosystem Tour, Nigerian Communications Commission Tech Hub Tour, US Consulate Tech Hub Tour.

The UNESCO Tour, French Embassy Tour, Goodwill and Alitheia Tour, amongst many and countless others, these tours were an eye-opener for many on what CcHUB stands for and the strides we’ve made as a Pan-African innovation enabler.

When it comes to community engagement, I’ve co-organized and hosted over 500 community events and 200+ external client paid events at both national and Pan-African levels. It’s been incredible to witness the energy, connections, and innovations sparked through these engagements.

And just when I thought my plate was full, 2023 brought a new chapter as I added SAIL Innovation Lab to my portfolio—our sister company with over 15,000 active members across both locations. Through it all, I even dabbled in storytelling, launching District Connects a podcast that brings live recordings from our events, showcasing the intersection of technology and innovation across Africa, monthly CcHUB community baseline newsletters, Pan-African highlight videos, Tips and Tricks videos, Community engagement on Slack with over 2000+ members.

Special shout-outs to Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, our Founder and the current Minister of Innovation, Communication and Digital Economy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ojoma Ochai, Nissi Madu , Oluwaseun ADEPOJU , Abiodun Ajanaku, Aidah Ng'ang'a, Chinyelu Akpa , Jude Feranmi Adejuwon , Stephanie Okpere, MPH, PRINCE2® , Akinwande Akinsulire, Damilola Teidi, Toun Tunde-Anjous (ACIPD), Olusola Olateju, Timothy Aluko, Busola Dakolo. Thank you all for your leadership.

To my amazing Practice Lead, Aidah Ng'ang'a Thank you for being the best boss I could ever ask for and for bringing out the best in me. You make leadership look effortless.

My rockstar Community Managers in iHUB Kenya William Kalibo, CcHUB Namibia Efraim Vilho, CcHUB DesignLab Rwanda Habiba Ahmed, Tobilola Ajibola, Oluwakemi Aderonke Adeniran, PMP,MMP, SAIL Innovation Lab, Ikorodu (Nigeria) Nora Anyasodo, Edwin Methu, @Victory Ihekwere, Tuyikunde Joel , Thusnelde H.C Gauises.

To Busola Dakolo, our creative think tank, Joyce Mbaire our awesome Account Manager who comes through always; Dideoluwa Ololade, the guy with the sharpest creative eye who always honored my endless requests; Somefun Ayomikun for bringing our initiatives to life with stunning videography; Lucky Udeme our talented designer, ADEYEMI BAMTEFA, our genius designer, Caleb Olatujayan, our fantastic event photographer and podcasts editor, Cecilia Osita, our brand storyteller extraordinaire—thank you! And of course, to every single soul at CcHUB, you’ve all made this journey one for the books.

Special shout out to Ogieomo Yvonne Eweka ( She/Her) (ACIPM, HRPL, MSc, BSc), Freda Anyanwu, Bashir Ahmed, Michelle Uba , Israel Odubola , Shalom Anurigwo, Abigael Anaza-mark, Onyinyechi Onifade, PMP®, Abiola Mustapha, Roseline Eyenike, Kome Sideso Blessing Bee Azubike, Mojisola Adams, Oswald Osaretin Guobadia, Ayeni Ekundayo ✅, Abdullahi Muhammad Olumide Olayinka, Ademulegun (Ade') Olowojoba, Chibuike Goodnews , MBA, Ayomikun Titiloye, Wilfred Ekpo, PMP®, PSM™, Olamiposi Ekuma, Victor Oyelade, Adefemi Adewemimo, Bridget Iyere, Tolu Ojewunmi, Oluwatosin Mary Esan CFE ACCA, jide olusanya,

I thank everyone who has been part of my journey!

Here’s to the memories, the growth, and the next big adventure! Thank you, Co-creation HUB (CcHUB) for being my launchpad.

Cheers to a new dispensation!