Nnedinma Obioha is the Founder and CEO of Centre Point Multi-Solutions Group and TecTerminal Ltd., two organisations driving IT education, digital literacy, and workforce development across Nigeria. She is the first and only woman to establish APTECH technology hubs across all five South East states and now leads seven APTECH centers, the highest number by any woman in West Africa. With a background in Accounting from the University of Reading; Finance – Aston Business School, and ICT certifications, Obioha has trained over 20,000 students, forged global academic partnerships, introduced affordable laptops, and upgraded ICT labs in 10+ schools nationwide. Through her NGO, Hand of Gold, she also advances youth and women empowerment initiatives. In this interview she speaks on integrating education, innovation, and advocacy, creating pathways for digital skills.

Take us through your illustrious career path.

My journey has been shaped by a combination of legacy, passion, and vision. I was born in Owerri but spent 19 years abroad, studying at the University of Reading and Aston Business School in the UK. Interestingly, I once pursued aviation at CabAir Flying School before transitioning into technology. I earned a CompTIA A+ certification, which gave me a solid foundation in ICT. My mother was one of the pioneers of IT education in the South East, and when she passed, I returned to Nigeria to continue her legacy. I took over the Enugu and Owerri centers and eventually expanded them into hubs across all five southeastern states. In 2017, I founded Centre Point Multi-Solutions Group, which now oversees multiple Aptech training centers and TecTerminal Ltd. Through these platforms, I have trained more than 20,000 students, built international partnerships, and launched affordable laptops for underserved communities. Today, I am expanding into the North Central region with the same mission of bridging the digital divide and equipping Africa’s youth for global opportunities.

You have broken barriers as the first regional leader and only woman to establish Aptech technology hubs across the South East. What motivated you to take on this challenge, and what has been the most transformative part of the journey?

The motivation came from two sources: my late mother’s legacy and my conviction that young Nigerians deserved access to global-standard technology education. Being the only woman in this space pushed me to prove that leadership in tech is not about gender but about vision and results. The most transformative part has been watching students walk in with little or no exposure to ICT and graduate to become world-class professionals. Many are now working in global tech firms. Knowing that our hubs are directly contributing to Nigeria’s and Africa’s digital economy is the most rewarding part of the journey.

Many people talk about “leadership in tech,” but your work blends education,

technology, and community impact. How do you define leadership in today’s digital economy?

Leadership in the digital economy is not only about building businesses. It is about creating ecosystems. For me, it means combining education, technology, and community impact to unlock opportunities at scale. It is about inclusivity: ensuring rural and urban students, men and women, the privileged and underserved, all have access to the tools and training they need. A true digital leader creates pathways for others to innovate, compete, and thrive globally.

You have trained more than 20,000 students, many now working globally. What skills or mindsets do you believe are essential for young Africans to compete internationally in tech?

The first is adaptability. Technology changes so quickly that the ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn is priceless. The second is problem-solving. African youth must see themselves not only as job seekers but as innovators solving global and local challenges. Finally, global exposure is key. Collaboration across cultures and ethical responsibility in using technology will distinguish young Africans in the global workforce.

Beyond training, you developed a line of affordable laptops for underserved

communities. What inspired this move into hardware innovation?

In my classrooms I kept seeing the same problem: students had the skills but not the tools. Many could not afford a laptop, which limited their opportunities. That is what pushed me into hardware innovation. By creating affordable, durable laptops, I wanted to break down one more barrier in the digital divide. For me, it was not only about training talent. It was also about ensuring they had the resources to apply their skills.

What role do you see EdTech playing in bridging Nigeria’s rural-urban digital divide?

EdTech is the bridge itself. With the right infrastructure, digital platforms can take quality education into the most remote corners of Nigeria. Through online classes, ICT labs in schools, and mobile-friendly learning, we can democratize access to knowledge. But we must also address systemic issues such as power, internet connectivity, and affordability. Once those are in place, EdTech has the power to level the playing field for millions of Nigerians.

⁠Being the only woman leading multiple Aptech franchises in West Africa must come with unique challenges. How have you navigated gender biases in the tech and business ecosystem?

Biases are real. Sometimes you are underestimated, or your competence is questioned more than your male peers. But I have always believed that results speak louder than stereotypes. Every successful hub, every international partnership, every graduate employed globally is proof that women can lead and excel in technology. I have also built alliances with like-minded leaders, both men and women, who believe in inclusivity. My approach is to keep breaking ceilings so the next generation of women has an easier path.

What advice would you give young women aspiring to leadership roles in technology and education?

Do not wait for permission to lead. Start where you are, with what you have. Build competence, because excellence commands respect. Build networks, because no leader thrives alone. Above all, be resilient. Challenges will come, but each one is an opportunity to prove yourself and grow. Remember that your gender is not a limitation. It is an added strength and perspective that the world needs.

If you had the power to change one thing about Nigeria’s education system overnight, what would it be and why?

It is encouraging that the federal government has introduced a new curriculum, but without trained teachers, proper ICT labs, private-sector partnerships, and real alignment with the job market, it risks becoming another policy that looks good on paper but is irrelevant in practice. If I had the power, I would prioritize training teachers in digital skills and upgrading ICT labs in schools across the country. Education must be skills-first and future-focused. With competent teachers and functional technology infrastructure, we can truly prepare Nigerian students for the

realities of the digital economy.