A Nigerian technology entrepreneur, Imam Abubakar, has urged young developers to see technology as a ladder to limitless opportunities capable of transforming lives and creating global impact, regardless of one’s background.
Abubakar stated this while delivering the keynote address at DevFest Ilorin 2025, where he shared his journey from a modest upbringing in Nigeria to building a thriving software company and working with leading international brands.
Speaking on the topic, “From Middle-Class Nigeria to Building a Billion-Dollar Dream: Why Tech Is My Ladder,” Abubakar said his experience demonstrated that technology could serve as a pathway for ordinary people to achieve extraordinary success.
“I come from a middle-class family here in Nigeria. Nothing extraordinary, nothing fancy, just a home that taught me the value of hard work and curiosity,” he said. “Like most of us, I didn’t have capital or connections. What I had was access to a laptop, the internet, and a dream that felt way bigger than my environment. That’s where my ladder began.”
He recalled that his journey was not without challenges, citing poor electricity supply, unreliable internet connectivity, and multiple rejections. However, he emphasized that those setbacks only strengthened his resolve to keep building and learning.
“Technology became more than a career path; it became a life path,” he noted. “It taught me that code, creativity, and consistency could open doors that background or privilege could never unlock.”
Abubakar, who is the founder of Sqaleup Inc., a software company helping startups transform ideas into scalable products, recounted how his focus on solving real problems eventually led him to collaborations with Louis Vuitton, Huawei, and Swarovski.
He advised young developers to focus on creating value rather than waiting for perfect conditions or external validation, stressing that visibility and success start from simple steps such as building a portfolio, sharing demos, or maintaining an active LinkedIn presence.
“Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not,” he said. “If opportunity isn’t coming your way, you build it. Start small, stay consistent, and build like the world is watching — because one day, it will be.
Abubakar concluded by encouraging participants to embrace belief, execution, and patience as essential ingredients for success in the global tech space.
The event, which attracted hundreds of developers, innovators, and tech enthusiasts from across Nigeria, was part of the Google Developer Group’s annual DevFest series, designed to promote collaboration, learning, and innovation in the country’s growing tech ecosystem.
