Ekwutosinam Okeh leads a quiet revolution in tech education, equipping thousands with in-demand digital skills through her edtech platform, Digital Witch. Since its inception in 2021, the initiative has trained over 40,000 individuals worldwide, proving that talent development in Africa doesn’t have to lag behind the rest of the world.
Empowering Women Through Tech
For Ekwutosinam, Digital Witch was born out of a deep-seated passion to help women break free from societal limitations. Her inspiration came after observing how many married women felt trapped as stay-at-home wives despite their ambitions. The reality hit even closer to home when she lost her father, leaving her mother financially vulnerable due to a lack of employable skills.
“My deep passion for empowering women drove Digital Witch Ltd. As I read stories on social media, I noticed that many married women felt stuck and needed opportunities to grow. They needed skills that would not only open doors locally but also connect them to international opportunities,” she explained.
The name ‘Digital Witch’ stems from her uncanny ability to troubleshoot digital problems effortlessly, a skill that earned her the nickname among friends. “People around me were always intrigued by how much I knew and how I could find a workaround for almost any digital problem. My close friends started calling me a ‘digital witch,’ and over time, more people joined in. When it was time to start our community, I couldn’t think of a better name, it just felt right,” she said.
Like many others in the tech space, Ekwutosinam’s journey was anything but conventional. After completing her national youth service, she relocated from Enugu to Lagos in search of better opportunities. She landed a job as a sales representative and business developer in real estate, but a random encounter with a YouTube channel on cloud computing changed her trajectory.
Curiosity quickly turned into passion. She made it a habit to watch two videos daily, eventually developing a deep understanding of tech. Three years later, she launched Digital Witch, an edtech platform that equips adults with IT support skills needed to secure remote jobs. The platform offers courses in Virtual Assistance, Customer Support, Telemarketing, Tech Sales, Workflow Automation, Lead Generation, Email Marketing, and more. Advanced programs cover cloud computing, cybersecurity, project management, and data analysis.
Beyond technical skills, Digital Witch goes a step further by guiding students on job applications. The platform provides training on how to craft Upwork profiles, write compelling job proposals, answer interview questions, and secure freelance gigs.
Bridging the Digital Divide
One of the biggest hurdles Digital Witch faces is onboarding students who lack basic computer skills. Many adult learners struggle to keep up due to minimal exposure to technology. To address this, the platform introduced a foundational program that ensures every student starts with a solid grasp of computer literacy before progressing to more advanced topics.
Despite this challenge, Ekwutosinam takes immense pride in the platform’s impact. “My biggest milestone has been successfully training over 40,000 students in less than four years, witnessing countless success stories from those who have gone through our programs. Contributing to reducing unemployment in Nigeria through education and skill development is something I take great pride in,” she said.
Although Nigeria’s tech industry is rapidly expanding, it remains a male-dominated field. Many women hesitate to transition into tech due to self-doubt and impostor syndrome. Married women, in particular, often lack the necessary support from their partners, discouraging them from pursuing career opportunities.
“As a result, many women join our programs in secret, determined to prove to themselves—and sometimes to their partners—that they are capable,” Ekwutosinam revealed.
She believes awareness and education are crucial in addressing these challenges. Women need constant reassurance that they belong in tech, while men must become allies by supporting their partners’ aspirations.
“Honestly, the number of women in tech is no longer minimal. In our community alone, women outnumber men, and many of them have achieved remarkable success. It’s incredibly rewarding to see our efforts making a real impact, and I’m proud to be part of the pioneers driving this change,” she concluded.
As Digital Witch continues to expand its reach, Ekwutosinam Okeh’s mission remains clear—empowering individuals, especially women, with the skills needed to thrive in the digital economy.
No Comments