Broadcasting
How to Become a Software Engineer – a Step-by-Step Guide

By: Prince Osinachi Nchiba
As a global authority in the software engineering space, I get asked a lot about how to become a software engineer. My career transition story proves that being a software engineer is not a far-thing. I am always excited when I speak to large gatherings of people and I reflect or share my story on my tech journey so far.
So let’s start with how I transitioned…
At the age of 13, I always wonder how our software engineers solve and fix some of the world’s biggest issues.
These situations piqued my interest and I started to research software engineering. I took a couple of courses and I developed myself till I was able to write my first line of code.
The most defining moment for me was when I got my first foreign remote job. I got more confident and delivered on many key projects. I have also been recognized as a software engineer leader by various organisations as a result of the successes I have recorded as a software engineer. Hence, this article will present a blueprint of how anyone can become what I am right now and start their software engineering journey.
Here are my suggestions for people looking to transition; I call it the LEF methodology. LEF is an acronym for Learn, Explore and Fly.
Step 1- LEARN
The first thing you need to do is learn. And learning involves education beyond the walls of a school. You need to learn the concepts and fundamentals behind a software. Here is my personal recommendation of courses you can take:
-ALX Africa’s Software Engineering Course: This is a Nigerian-based ed-tech platform. They offer a bouquet of digital learning solutions. I enjoyed their software engineering programme.
-Coursera’s Software Engineering Certification: This is a paid certification programme. It is globally renowned and they offer one of the best software engineering courses.
-Udemy’s Software Engineering Online Course: This is one of the easiest courses I have ever taken. They have one of the best resources and a rich library of information.
Another part of learning is joining software engineering communities and groups. Learning from peers is powerful. Here are some of the communities I would recommend:
-Google Developers Group: This is one of the largest developer communities in the world. They have a huge presence in Nigeria and I was a part of it.
-Hashnode: Hashnode is an online community where developers share knowledge and grow their careers. Developers from around the world participate in consequential discussions on Hashnode.
-StackOverflow: This is a tech community where you can ask all your questions about difficulties you face when coding.
Step 2- EXPLORE
Explore everything but carve a niche for yourself. As you know, software engineering involves three core aspects:
-Frontend: This involves building the interface and functionality users see. Examples of frontend languages are HTML, CSS, Javascript, React, Angular, Vue, jQuery, Swift, and so on.
-Backend: This aspect involves the behind-the-scenes of the application, that is the server, the database, etc. Examples of backend frameworks are Node.JS, Express.JS, Python, PHP, Java, Ruby, Golang, C#, SQL, etc.
-Mobile: This aspect involves the development of apps that phones use. The languages that can be used are React Native, Kotlin, C++, Flutter, etc.
Try to choose a segment to start with and narrow down on it. I have heard of people not knowing what to pick up. I would advise you to pick up from the basic frameworks before advancing to the advanced ones.
Step 3- FLY
This final part involves “taking action”.
Like a wise man once said, to fly, you have to run. Running here means you putting yourself out there. Here are the steps I advise you follow:
· Participate in hackathons.
· Work on personal projects.
· Build your portfolio.
· Share your milestones with the public (e.g your first deployment, etc).
· Apply for internship roles
· Brush up on interviews
· Get a mentor and be around industry authorities
These are just to mention a few. If you need help you can write to me here.
Broadcasting
ACAMB Champions Bankers Wellness with Aerobics Fitness Session

As part of its commitment to promoting a healthier and more resilient banking workforce, the Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB) is organizing a special Aerobics Fitness Session on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at the Lagoon Front of the Eko Atlantic City.
The session is open to all bankers and marketing communication professionals within the industry and will feature a lineup of fun and energizing activities aimed at boosting physical and mental wellbeing.
With stress levels and burnout on the rise in high-pressure sectors like banking, ACAMB is taking, as it has done over the years, proactive steps to encourage lifestyle habits that support overall wellness and productivity.
Participants will begin the morning with a body warm-up and short walk to get their energy flowing, followed by an exciting dance aerobics session designed to elevate heart rates and lift spirits.
The day will continue with interactive fitness games that promote movement and team bonding, and will wrap up with a friendly but motivating fitness challenge to inspire healthy competition and personal bests.
“Bankers are vital to the financial ecosystem, and their wellness must be a priority,” said Rasheed Bolarinwa, President of ACAMB.
“This aerobics session is a powerful way to foster a culture of health, team bonding, and preventive care. It reflects our belief as ExCO that a strong mind and body, are essential for long-term professional excellence.”
The session is expected to kick off early in the morning to take advantage of the fresh morning air, allowing participants to start their weekend with energy, movement, and connection. It also presents an opportunity to unwind and build camaraderie amongst colleagues outside the traditional office setting.
This initiative is one of several wellness-focused programms ACAMB is rolling out to reinforce the importance of employee wellbeing in corporate and marketing communication and the broader banking ecosystem.
The Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB) is the recognized professional association for marketing communications and public affairs executives in Nigeria’s banking industry.
ACAMB drives ethical communication standards, promotes internal and external stakeholder engagement, and supports member banks in advancing reputation, trust, employee growth and wellbeing.
Broadcasting
DStv Makes History: Inducted into Brand Africa Hall of Fame as Africa’s Most Admired Media Brand

DStv, Africa’s leading entertainment platform, has been officially recognised as the #1 Most Admired African Media Brand in the Brand Africa 100 | Africa’s Best Brands 2025 rankings.
This recognition also sees DStv inducted into the prestigious Brand Africa Hall of Fame, a distinction reserved for iconic African brands that have significantly shaped the continent’s global image and competitiveness over the years.
The announcement was made at a high-profile ceremony hosted at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in Addis Ababa, where leaders from across the African media and branding landscape gathered to honour the continent’s most impactful brands.
Launched in 1995, DStv has evolved from a digital satellite television pioneer into a content powerhouse, transforming the African viewing experience through continuous innovation, investment in local content, and a deep commitment to telling African stories.
“This honour reflects the incredible journey we’ve taken with our audiences across Africa. Being named Africa’s most admired media brand and joining the Brand Africa Hall of Fame is not just a celebration of where we’ve come from—it’s a reaffirmation of where we’re going.
“Our commitment to local storytelling, cultural authenticity, and innovation remains stronger than ever.
“We are proud to be a brand that not only entertains but uplifts and connects Africans through stories that matter.” States Calvo Mawela, Group CEO of MultiChoice.
Each year, the Brand Africa 100 survey identifies the most admired brands across the continent, based on independent research conducted in over 30 African countries, representing over 85% of Africa’s population and GDP, with more than 150,000 brand mentions and 5,930 unique brands.
The rankings are compiled through a rigorous process led by research partners including GeoPoll, Kantar, Integrate, and Analysis, making it the only pan-African, research-led and non-commercial brand equity study of its kind.
DStv’s induction into the Hall of Fame further cements its position not just as a media brand, but as a cultural force that continues to shape narratives and inspire pride across Africa. Through its investments in local productions, partnerships with African creators, and focus on quality storytelling, DStv remains at the forefront of Africa’s growing creative economy.
DStv was also honoured with the same top recognition in 2024, reinforcing its consistent excellence and enduring connection with audiences across Africa. Since its launch 30 years ago with just 16 channels, DStv has evolved into a dynamic content powerhouse, offering a rich mix of local productions, global entertainment, and integrated streaming options.
Today, it serves millions of households across the continent, delivering hundreds of channels and platforms that reflect the diversity, creativity, and aspirations of African viewers.
Broadcasting
The Silent Killer of Great Companies: A Guide To Why Your Processes Will Break (and How to Fix Them)

By Tolulope Obianwu
Every high-growth company experiences a moment when its engine sputters—quietly at first. Emails slip through cracks, customers wait too long, and once-smooth systems start breaking under pressure. This rarely looks like failure; it feels like chaos.

Tolu Obianwu
The truth? Your team didn’t fail. Your process did.
More accurately, the process you never designed to scale.
I’ve led operations and strategy at some of Africa’s fastest-growing fintech companies, building teams and systems that power complex payment infrastructure. And I’ve seen it repeatedly: velocity hides inefficiency—until it doesn’t.
This isn’t just a fintech problem. It’s a scaling problem. And if you’re a founder, operator, or builder, this article is your early warning: poor process doesn’t announce itself. It accumulates, silently, until your best people are fighting fires they didn’t start.
So, before things break, let’s talk about what makes processes fail, and what it takes to build operational structures that scale with your ambition.
DO NOT Confuse Speed with System: Startups are built on hustle. That’s part of the magic. But hustle without design leads to fragile outcomes. What works when you’re a 5-person team becomes a burden when you’re 50. Manually sorting payments, ad-hoc decisions, Slack approvals; these shortcuts become operational debt.
DO THIS INSTEAD:
Build systems early. They don’t have to be perfect, but they must be repeatable. Even lightweight process maps give your team breathing room and build investor confidence.
DO NOT Build Around Individuals: We romanticise “indispensable” team members; the only person who knows how X works. But hero-driven execution is unsustainable. When your process depends on one person being online, awake, or available, you’re not building a company. You’re gambling on burnout.
DO THIS INSTEAD:
Document workflows, spread context, and make knowledge transfer part of your onboarding and offboarding. Structure should outlive talent.
DO NOT Mistake Micromanagement for Control: I’ve seen it too often: leaders respond by inserting themselves into every decision when processes start breaking down. It’s understandable, but counterproductive. Micromanagement is not a fix. It’s a symptom.
DO THIS INSTEAD:
Create trust frameworks. Use process audits, not pressure. Empower teams with clear guardrails, not constant approvals. The goal of an exemplary process isn’t control – it’s clarity.
DO NOT Design for the Happy Path Only: Most processes look beautiful on paper until real users, real edge cases, and real stress tests come in. If your refund process fails when the volume spikes or your reconciliation breaks on public holidays, that’s not a people problem. It’s a design flaw.
DO THIS INSTEAD:
Anticipate failure. Ask “What could go wrong?” Run simulations. Processes must bend without breaking. That’s true resilience.
DO NOT ignore the Role of Culture: Even the best-designed processes die in hostile environments. If your culture rewards shortcuts, ignores documentation, or treats processes as bureaucracy, nothing will stick.
DO THIS INSTEAD:
Make ‘process’ a language, not a punishment. Celebrate people who fix broken steps. Tie operational excellence to career growth. Culture is what makes a process sustainable.
DO NOT Launch Processes Without Data Loops: If you’re not tracking turnaround times, errors, or usage, you’re not managing a process; you’re just hoping it works.
DO THIS INSTEAD:
Instrument every stage. Set KPIs that matter. Let data flag inefficiencies before customers feel them. A great process isn’t just followed – it’s monitored.
Final Thoughts
The truth is: every fast-growing company outgrows its old ways of doing things. There comes a time when velocity alone can’t carry the vision anymore. That’s inevitable. What isn’t inevitable is being caught off guard when it happens.
If you’re building for scale, process isn’t a bottleneck; it’s your runway. The best systems don’t slow people down; they let good teams move faster, with clarity and confidence.
Don’t wait for failure to expose what structure could have prevented it. Build deliberately. Review often. Automate what you can. And above all, make sure your process is strong enough to carry the weight of your ambition.
Because in the long run, it’s not speed that wins.
It’s the ability to move fast, without breaking yourself.
Tolulope Obianwu is a highly experienced professional in operations and technology strategy and currently is Head, Core Operations at TeamApt Ltd
- General News2 days ago
Uche Uzoebo, SANEF CEO Makes Case for More Financial Inclusion Strategies Targeting Women
- News2 days ago
UK Minister for Africa Visits Nigeria to Deepen Strategic Partnership
- General News2 days ago
Hydrogen, Lagos State Touch Thousands of Business Owners with “Healthy Heart, Healthy Business” Outreach
- Broadcasting2 days ago
ACAMB Champions Bankers Wellness with Aerobics Fitness Session
- E-Business2 days ago
Survey Reveals Marketing Leaders See Strong Potential in gTLDS Despite Knowledge Gap
- News6 hours ago
First Asset Management Receives 2024 Fund Manager Award
- General News6 hours ago
Nigeria Relaunches National Talent Export Programme to Unlock $1 Trillion Global Outsourcing Market
- Telecom6 hours ago
NiRA Holds 17th AGM, Elects New Leadership to Propel .ng Domain Growth