In 2022, Yigakpoa Ikpae stumbled upon the world of open source for the first time — but it was no ordinary discovery. It came through Outreachy, a global program that opens doors to tech for people from underrepresented groups. For Yigakpoa,who hails from an under-resourced Nigerian community, it wasn’t just a tech opportunity — it was a personal mission.
Her contribution brought her to Oppia, a platform using open-source technology to create free interactive math lessons for learners around the world. She was inspired by its mission, but something stuck out: despite Nigeria’s vast population and linguistic diversity, there was no support for Nigerian Pidgin — a language spoken by tens of millions.
So she took a bold step.
Before the one-month contribution phase of Outreachy had ended, Yigakpoa submitted a well-researched proposal. She cited linguistic data from Google, BBC, and Ethnologue, and argued passionately that Pidgin English was more than slang — it was a bridge language across tribes and regions. “If we solely focus on three languages in a population like Nigeria’s, we might get there,” she wrote, “but definitely not as fast.”
Her advocacy paid off. Oppia gave her the green light, and just like that, the Nigerian Pidgin Translation Team was born.
Building More Than a Team
Ironically, Yigakpoa only became fluent in Pidgin during her university years — and even then, her “posh” accent drew teasing from friends. But that didn’t stop her. With limited experience but unlimited drive, she began translating complex math content into Nigerian Pidgin — breaking down concepts not just linguistically, but culturally.
But she also knew one thing clearly: she couldn’t do it alone.
So she built. She recruited volunteers through social media and personal networks, onboarding them into Oppia’s tools, processes, and expectations. She taught people who had never contributed to open source before. She coached those who didn’t consider themselves “techies.” She translated. Reviewed. Encouraged.
At its peak, the Nigerian Pidgin team had over 30 contributors working simultaneously — a chaotic but energizing milestone that required serious organization and leadership.
Leading With Heart — and Systems
Managing that many people across time zones, skill levels, and motivation stages alone wasn’t easy. So in March 2023, Yigakpoa introduced a new structure: four sub-team leads were appointed to oversee translation quality, coordinate review cycles, and mentor newer contributors.
Each of Oppia’s six completed math lessons contained at least five subtopics — and each subtopic had around 80 interactive cards. That meant hundreds of translation units, all needing careful review, quality control, and consistency checks.
By building systems and empowering others to lead, Yiga didn’t just avoid burnout — she nurtured a sustainable, scalable translation team.
Changing the Game
Despite launching after other African languages began translation efforts, Nigerian Pidgin — under Yiga’s leadership — became the first African language fully live on the Oppia Android app in July 2023.
That’s not just a tech win — it was a breakthrough for access. Kids can now learn math in the language they hear in markets, homes, and everyday life. It’s a win for inclusion, made possible by someone who didn’t just see the gap — she and her team filled it.
Her story is a masterclass in leadership, empathy, and systems thinking. No title. Just a clear vision and the grit to see it through.
Her journey proves that impact doesn’t always start at the top — sometimes, it begins with one person choosing to act.
