Women in Tech: Breaking Barriers and Creating Opportunities

The topic of women in technology continues to spark important conversations about access, inclusion, and opportunity in a field long dominated by men. On the ZED Tech Show on ZED 101.9 FM, telecommunications engineer Rukayat Arike Bakare of Dynamic Data Solutions Ltd shared her journey of breaking into the industry and the challenges she faced.
Bakare recalled how administrators repeatedly questioned her ability when she applied to study mechanical engineering, insisting the field was “for men” and even labeling her credentials as male. “I had to prove myself every day to fit in as a woman,” she said, adding that women are often told they belong in the kitchen rather than in engineering or technology.
She explained that while opportunities in STEM, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, have improved over time, women still face stereotypes and pressure to constantly prove their worth. Her determination to be different from her peers pushed her to pursue engineering despite the barriers.
Bakare shared how she often had to motivate herself through frustration, sometimes crying when challenges felt overwhelming. Yet she found strength in encouragement from her colleagues and professors who believed in her abilities. “They opened my mind out of the box,” she said, recalling how her professor described her as one of his most brilliant students he had encounted.
She emphasized the importance of mentorship and role models for young girls entering the tech space. According to her, women in technology need more exposure and encouragement to see the industry as a viable career path. Unlike professions with visible uniforms such as nursing or policing, she noted, women in tech often lack recognition, making mentorship even more critical.
Her story reflects the broader struggle of women in tech across Africa, where cultural expectations and limited access continue to slow progress. Yet, with resilience and determination, women like Rukayat Arike Bakare, are proving that technology is not just a man’s world. It is a space where women can thrive, innovate, and lead, creating opportunities for future generations.