By Obinna Nwaoku, Port Harcourt
The Niger Delta region is home to a new generation of entrepreneurs who are making waves in various industries. From tech to development communications, these young innovators are turning the entrepreneurship landscape on its head.
Meet some of the individuals who are leading the charge.
Hanson Johnson: Tech Innovator and Community Builder
Hanson Johnson is a technical talent developer, CEO of Start Innovation Hub, Tech Investor, and President of the Ibom Innovation Network. With over 15 years of experience in the tech ecosystem, Johnson has contributed significantly to the development of the industry in Nigeria. He has worked with various organizations, including Google, Meta, and the Nigerian Government, and has consulted on tech projects for the UK and German Governments.
As a community lead, software engineer, and mentor, Johnson has helped shape the tech landscape in Nigeria. He has also been recognized for his contributions to the development of Akwa Ibom State, receiving the Akwa Ibom State Productivity Order of Merit Award in ICT in 2022.
Gloria Ojukwu: Technical Product Leader and Community Builder
Gloria Ojukwu is a technical product leader with a proven track record of transforming ideas into successful customer-centric and profitable solutions. With over a decade of experience in tech, Ojukwu has managed and shipped technical products across various industries, including Edtech and E-commerce.
She is also committed to technical community and talent building, having trained over 25,000 tech talents and women on a global scale. Ojukwu’s expertise lies at the intersection of technology, business, design, community building, and talent building.
ThankGod Okorisha, a journalist and development practitioner has launched the Niger Delta Archive Project, in a bid to preserve the rich history and culture of the Niger Delta region.
The project aims to provide a memory bank of data about the Niger Delta, its culture, key figures from the past, and first-hand narration of their stories.
As a documentarian and historian, Okorisha is passionate about challenging prevailing negative narratives and stereotypes surrounding the Niger Delta region.
He believes that by presenting a more nuanced and balanced representation of the region, the project can help to promote a better understanding of the Niger Delta and its people.
The Niger Delta Archive Project is a unique initiative that seeks to tell the stories of the region through pictorial presentations.
By showcasing pictures of the region’s culture, history, and daily life, the project aims to provide a glimpse into the lives of the people who call the Niger Delta home.
Okorisha’s work on the project has already gained international recognition. His photo exhibition, “Tour of Contemporary Photos of Port Harcourt: In and Out,” which was co-curated and organized to commemorate World Tourism Day 2023, was recently acknowledged by the United Nations Tourism Organization.
The exhibition showcased some of Okorisha’s photos taken during his visit to the creeks in the Niger Delta and to communities in the region. The photos provided a unique glimpse into the lives of the people who live in the Niger Delta, highlighting their struggles and joys.
Through his work on the Niger Delta Archive Project, Okorisha is promoting peace, economic development, and social growth in the Niger Delta region. By preserving the region’s history and culture, he hopes to promote a better understanding of the region and its people, and to challenge negative stereotypes and narratives that have long plagued the region.
As a development practitioner, Okorisha works with an international not-for-profit organization, SDN, where he supports the development and implementation of SDN’s communications strategy across all projects. His work on the Niger Delta Archive Project is a testament to his commitment to promoting peace, economic development, and social growth in the Niger Delta region.
The Niger Delta Archive Project is an important initiative that seeks to preserve the rich history and culture of the Niger Delta region. Through his work on the project, Okorisha is helping to promote a better understanding of the region and its people, and to challenge negative stereotypes and narratives that have long plagued the region.
Ebenezar Wikina: Civic Entrepreneur and Policy Shaper
Ebenezar Wikina is a civic entrepreneur and policy shaper with over 15 years of experience working with various organizations across multiple sectors. He is the founder of Policy Shapers, a civic startup that empowers young people with knowledge, skills, and tools to engage with public policy.
Wikina is also a senior partnerships specialist at Nguvu Collective, where he supports over 200 women leaders in Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa to run and win social justice campaigns. He has previously worked as a campaign strategist at (link unavailable) and advocacy coordinator at PIND Foundation.
These young entrepreneurs from the Niger Delta region are making a significant impact in their respective industries. Their innovative approaches, commitment to community building, and passion for creating positive change are turning the entrepreneurship landscape on its head. As they continue to push boundaries and challenge the status quo, they are inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurs to follow in their footsteps.
The Rivers State tech ecosystem has emerged as a beacon of technological excellence in the Niger Delta and at the heart of this transformative journey is Gino Osahon, a pioneer who has played a pivotal role in shaping the ecosystem.
Since 2013, the Rivers State tech ecosystem has witnessed remarkable growth, with over 17 thriving hubs, developer, and startup communities.These groups have collectively equipped thousands of young individuals with digital skills, leading to the creation of startups that have further enriched the ecosystem.
Osahon’s journey began in 2010, after completing his software engineering program at NIIT Port Harcourt.
Faced with the challenge of finding like-minded individuals to share knowledge and solve problems collaboratively, Osahon founded the first developer community, Google Developer Group Port Harcourt, in 2013.This initiative contributed significantly to laying the foundation for the Port Harcourt tech ecosystem. Osahon assembled a team of dedicated volunteers, and together, they began hosting events, raising awareness about technology, and fostering collaboration among tech enthusiasts.
The impact of Osahon’s efforts has been profound. Over 5,000 young people have been trained in digital skills, with approximately 30% now working remotely for international organizations or running their startups. The Ken Saro-Wiwa Innovation Hub, which Osahon managed, has trained over 3,000 persons in emerging digital fields and incubated 25 startups.
The Rivers State tech ecosystem has attracted global companies such as Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Oracle, and Andela.
Also, Osahon’s contributions have been recognized with several accolades, including the Social Impact Icon (Veteran) of the Year award in 2022.As the Rivers State tech ecosystem continues to grow, Osahon remains committed to fostering innovation, empowering the next generation, and ensuring that Port Harcourt remains a beacon of technological excellence.
