I Faced the Stigma Too. This Is Why I Started Tech in Yoruba

I’m from Ilesa, a town in Osun State.

Not Lagos.

Not Abuja.

Not the UK, USA or Canada.

And unfortunately, that has meant a lot, especially in the Nigerian tech space. There’s this deep-rooted idea that to be taken seriously in tech, you have to be living in one of the “big” places. If you’re not in Lagos, Abuja or abroad, people automatically assume you’re not good enough.

I’ve felt that stigma many times.

I’ve applied for jobs where, just because I didn’t put “Lagos” or “Abuja” as my location or some overseas country I was automatically overlooked. No one even asked about my skills or experience. I wasn’t seen as “worthy.”

And I know I’m not the only one who has faced this.

That’s why I started Tech in Yoruba.

To challenge that narrative.

To show that tech can start anywhere.

To show others like me how I did it.

That people from towns and cities like Ilesa, Igbeti, Idominasi, Ikire and others can do tech and deserve the same opportunity as anyone else.

I began learning tech in my parents’ 3-bedroom flat in Ilesa sometime 2014. With a phone (Tecno M3), not a laptop. That’s how I started learning HTML, CSS, Javascript, PHP, and WordPress. No connections. No tech hub, No ChatGPT, No deepeek. Just passion, determination, data subscription and of course Google haha.

Now, nearly 11 years later (August 2025 will mark it officially), I’ve worked with big companies, organizations, and individuals both within Nigeria and internationally.

In the WordPress community, especially in Nigeria, it’s hard to mention WordPress development without my name coming up.

I’m currently:

The Locale Manager for translating WordPress into Yoruba

An organizer of the WordPress Ilesa Meetup

A longtime contributor to WordPress and its global mission

Tech in Yoruba started as short videos on social media, just me explaining tech tips in Yoruba, so more people could understand and relate. Today, it’s growing into a community of people who believe that your language, location, or background shouldn’t limit your chances in tech.

We need to stop treating tech like it only lives in a few select places.

Because the truth is:

Great minds are everywhere.

Opportunities should be too.

So if you’re from a small town and still learning from your phone, keep going. If no one is looking your way yet, don’t stop. Your roots are not a disadvantage. They’re part of your power.

I’m living proof.