Bisola Alabi: Increasing Nigerian Women’s Stake in the Tech Space
By Fom Gyem
The environment is changing at a rate that might be intimidating for anyone looking to get into the constantly evolving field of technology, where innovation is essential. This is a challenge faced by many, including women in Nigeria, who often encounter barriers when trying to transition into the tech industry.
However, one of Nigeria’s remarkable women is on a mission to change that narrative. Bisola Alabi, the visionary founder of HeelsandTech, an Edtech startup that is making waves in the world of tech education and empowerment.
A proud graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, she embarked on her journey to bridge the gender gap in tech in 2020. Her motivation? To empower women with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in the ever-evolving tech landscape.
HeelsandTech has since become a beacon of hope for women across 22 countries, guiding them towards fulfilling tech careers.
Bisola’s own professional journey has been a testament to her adaptability and resilience. She transitioned from being a Customer Experience Consultant to exploring the world of startups in Africa. She even ventured into the fashion business before making her triumphant return to the tech industry. It was during this time, in 2020, that she experienced a pivotal moment in her life. She witnessed the harsh reality of families losing jobs to digitisation. She also empathetically understood the struggles faced by women trying to enter the tech sector.
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Her interactions with women who had lost their careers or felt overwhelmed by motherhood led to a revelation: many women aspired to enter the tech field but lacked the guidance and resources to do so. Bisola responded by sharing her insights through a series of blog posts, hosting free webinars and offering advice on transitioning into tech. However, she quickly realised that these women were hungry for more substantial support.
This realisation gave birth to Heels & Tech, a community-based marketplace designed to simplify the path to tech careers for women. Bisola’s approach is refreshingly straightforward: create a cohort-based learning environment where women can acquire no-code technical skills while being connected with world-class tech instructors.
As a journalist, I had the privilege of experiencing Heels & Tech firsthand. I enrolled in the Business Analysis course for six weeks, and the journey was nothing short of transformative. Throughout the programme, we were each assigned mentors who went above and beyond to guide us. These mentors ensured that no one was left behind, even if it meant dedicating extra hours to support individual students.
Heels & Tech offered a hands-on learning experience that not only equipped us with theoretical knowledge but also provided exclusive access to tools that are essential in the real world. The course was designed to give us a taste of what to expect in practice, making the transition into the tech industry feel less daunting. As a journalist, my experience and knowledge gained through this experience has eased my work and I am able to navigate between being a business analyst and journalist.
Bisola’s HeelsandTech is not just an educational platform, it is a movement that is empowering women to embrace tech with confidence. In a world where technology is shaping the future, Bisola’s commitment to bridging the gender gap is not only commendable but essential for the progress of society as a whole. Through Heels & Tech, she is ensuring that women in Nigeria and beyond have the opportunity to thrive in the tech-driven world of tomorrow.
As Bisola continues to inspire and uplift women, her vision for a more inclusive tech industry becomes increasingly attainable.
