One of the fundamental principles of life is curiosity. While many, especially in African societies, often interpret the word in a negative context, curiosity and inquisitiveness lead to journeys of self-discovery and mastery. Even philosophers like John Dewey posited that curiosity is the foundation of progressive education, advocating for learning through inquiry and experience.
One of the essential skill sets every child should develop is inquisitiveness. However, vulnerable children often become timid and unresponsive as their minds are constrained by societal expectations, parental influence, life occurrences, and more. Coupled with their lineage and background, they struggle with virtually everything, yet no one seems to care, as the world only acknowledges those who fit the mold of success.
While a wide gap exists between the children of the privileged and the vulnerable in society, especially in Africa, one tool offers a myriad of opportunities—technology. The world has become so digital that it now rests in the hands of the curious and determined to unravel their next giant leap through tech. It was inquisitiveness that led Ekwutosi Chineye Okeh into Cloud Computing and other diverse areas of technology.
Having faced a rollercoaster childhood, Ekwutosi persevered with resilience, ultimately becoming one of the foremost EdTech experts in the country today. She worked as a maid at a young age but found direction during her time at St. Catherine Comprehensive College, where she honed her leadership skills. Interestingly, she is a graduate of English Literature from the revered University of Nigeria, Nsukka, with a major in English Education.
The turning point in her groundbreaking journey came unexpectedly. While working as a business developer and sales representative for a real estate company, an autoplay video from a Cloud Computing training channel began to play. That single moment of curiosity sparked the beginning of her remarkable trajectory. She subscribed to the channel, taking a leap of faith that would eventually shape her future.
Ekwutosi went on to establish the Digital Witch Support Community, successfully training over 35,000 students with overwhelming success stories. However, a significant challenge faced by Digital Witch has been the lack of basic tech skills among many trainees. This has driven the organisation to advocate for greater inclusivity in tech education, particularly for children and young minds.
Initially, Digital Witch was designed to train stay-at-home mothers, empowering them to work remotely and earn a sustainable income. However, remarkable feedback and growing interest propelled the organisation to expand its reach, as more people sought opportunities to work remotely.
The participation of women in tech today is inspiring, with increasing success stories emerging daily. Digital Witch takes pride in contributing to this progress. However, imposter syndrome remains a significant challenge for women in tech, as societal barriers and negative stereotypes continue to hinder their confidence and growth. One of the core aims of the Digital Witch Support Community is to provide women with a sense of belonging in the digital world.
Having already trained over 35,000 students in under four years, Digital Witch is now expanding its impact to underserved communities, particularly rural areas, to provide tech education and mentorship. Recognising the critical link between skills and opportunity, the organisation actively partners with agencies and organisations to secure job placements, internships, and other professional opportunities for its trainees. This ensures that newly acquired skills translate into meaningful careers.
Ekwutosi’s journey into tech, though unplanned, ignited a passion for empowering others. After overcoming childhood hardships and discovering Cloud Computing during her NYSC service, she transitioned from real estate into training thousands through Digital Witch. While initially focused on women, the platform has since broadened its reach, even as it continues to navigate challenges such as trainees lacking fundamental skills.
Although Ekwutosi acknowledges the strides women have made in tech, she also recognises persistent obstacles such as imposter syndrome and insufficient support. Her future vision involves expanding Digital Witch’s impact, particularly in underserved communities, and securing job placements for trainees, ultimately transforming more lives through technology.
