Tofunmi – Inspiring Change: The Ripple Effect of TechGirls

Tofunmi, TechGirls 2023, Nigeria

When I first applied for the TechGirls program after incessant nudges from my dad, I thought, “Eh, I probably won’t even get chosen anyway. The only programming knowledge I have is from year 7, and that’s just Scratch!” I had no idea I was about to unlock an entirely new dimension where even people like me—“non-science students,” as Nigerians would say—could learn and thrive in programming, data analysis, and research interpretation. This was my TechGirls experience.

Participating in the TechGirls program was a truly transformative experience for me. As a student who began as nothing more than the typist in my school’s robotics club and had never traveled to the United States, this program opened my eyes to the vast possibilities the world of technology has to offer. It gave me the confidence to fully explore my passion for STEAM. The program not only equipped me with the essential technical skills to complete my passion project, STEAMsparks—a series of workshops for elementary school students, from underprivileged homes, that introduce them to robotics—but, more importantly it instilled confidence in my abilities and potential, and connected me to a global network of inspiring women and girls dedicated to making a positive impact.

After completing the program, I’ve been actively utilizing the skills and connections I gained, diving deeper into coding and technology through voluntary service and personal projects. Since 2023, I have been volunteering with FIRST Global Team Nigeria, a group of teens representing my country in the annual FIRST Global Challenge, which invites teams from around the world to collaborate and propose simulated solutions to real-world issues. I handle communications with other teams in the community and assist with robot construction in any way I can. Since then, the team has won consecutive social media awards, and the gold medal for the Dr. Mae Jemison Award for International Unity, beating over 180+ competing countries. The Dr. Mae Jemison Award for International Unity is awarded to teams that emulate the best qualities of FIRST Global by breaking down barriers, demonstrating gracious professionalism, and building bridges with fellow teams.

Additionally, I am a member of this year’s Alumnae Advisory Council (AAC) in the Community Building group, where I contributed to creating stronger alumnae connection platforms and curated resources to support this year’s cohort in their CAP projects. On top of that, I now attend Pan-Atlantic University in Lagos, Nigeria, where I’m majoring in Economics. I plan to minor in Computer Science. This is a path that the pre-TechGirls Oluwatofunmi wouldn’t have dared to imagine taking.

TechGirls has not only inspired me, but its impact has also spread worldwide, including to my high school robotics club where there are now more female participants than typists!