When I first entered tech, one thing was obvious: Nigeria has no shortage of talent. I’ve met engineers who can build anything – apps, platforms, entire systems that could rival the best in Silicon Valley. Many of them work remotely, earning well, solving problems for companies thousands of miles away.
And yet, there’s one thing I can’t ignore: far too few of these brilliant minds are building companies of their own. When I ask why, the answer is almost always the same:
“Bros, I don’t have the resources. Let me just enjoy this remote work.”
I get it. Remote work offers stability. You’re paid in dollars, work from anywhere, and avoid the chaos that sometimes comes with starting up. But safety alone doesn’t build ecosystems.
Why this matters now
We’re at a tipping point. The world already recognises Nigeria as a hub for skilled developers. But recognition isn’t enough; we must move from being just service providers to becoming creators of products and companies that solve African problems.
This is bigger than personal ambition. Developers who become founders don’t just change their lives; they create jobs, attract capital, and shift industries. They become ecosystem drivers.
Think about Paystack or Flutterwave. These weren’t just well-coded apps. They were bold ideas backed by strong execution. The impact? A payments revolution that opened doors across Africa. These companies didn’t just happen; they were built by technical founders who thought beyond code.
Why developers hold back
So, why aren’t more Nigerian engineers making the leap from keyboard to corner office? From my conversations, three reasons come up consistently:
1. Fear of failure. In Nigeria, failure carries weight. It’s not just business; it’s personal. Family, friends, and community are watching, and no one wants to be seen as the guy who “tried and failed”.
2. Limited business knowledge. Many engineers have spent years mastering code, but building a company is a different game. You need to understand finance, hiring, product-market fit, and operations – things most devs haven’t been exposed to.
3. Access to funding. Even with a great idea, raising capital is tough. Investors often lean toward proven business models or well-connected founders, making it harder for first-time builder-engineers to break through.
These are real challenges. But they’re not dead ends.
Bridging the gap: Code to company
This is exactly why we launched BuildBox at GPIT. It’s our way of supporting engineers who want to become founders but need a path to get there.
BuildBox isn’t a crash course on fundraising or a startup bootcamp. It’s a mindset shift. It’s about helping engineers see themselves as creators of businesses, not just code. We offer mentorship, business training, and exposure to real-world startup environments – tools that equip technical talent to step confidently into leadership.
During a trip to China earlier this year, I met several investors who said the same thing:
“We want technical founders who think like CEOs.”
Not just builders, but builders with vision. This is the sweet spot: combining deep technical skills with entrepreneurial thinking
A personal note to Nigerian engineers
To every developer reading this, here’s the truth: the world already respects your technical skills. You’ve proven you can deliver.
But if you want to make a lasting impact on your community, your country, or your continent, building something of your own is the next step.
It doesn’t mean quitting your job tomorrow. It doesn’t mean raising $1M in a month. It starts small. Build for a problem you understand.
Find a co-founder who balances your skillset.
Don’t worry about perfection; just get started.
Yes, it’s risky. But so is everything worth doing.
And even if you fail, you’ll learn faster than you ever could in the safety of a remote role. In this context, failure isn’t shame; it’s data.
We don’t just need more coders. We need more founder-engineers – people who can turn technical brilliance into scalable businesses.
People who can lead teams, build products, and shape industries from the inside out.
Let’s move from writing code for others…
To build companies for ourselves.
Samuel Seedu is a managing partner at GPIT NIGERIA.
