Introduction
Meet Hikmat Dikko, a young Nigerian tech enthusiast who took initiative to upskill herself professionally. Determined to make a career in tech, she registered for the NextGen Academy’s Back End Development track.
Through this program, she gained valuable skills in JavaScript, Node.js, Express Framework, and database administration. Her hard work and dedication paid off as she landed a 6-month internship with Seamfix in Lagos, Nigeria, where she continues to hone her skills and gain valuable industry experience.
Hikmat’s story is one that will inspire many young techies like herself, to chase their dreams and follow through with the discipline that comes with learning a new skill with little to no experience. It is a reminder that every individual can excel if given the opportunity to.
Hi Hikmat, tell us about yourself.
“My name is Hikmat Dikko, and I am a highly motivated and ambitious person. I’ve also always had a passion for technology, which is why I’m where I am today. During my national service (NYSC), I was fortunate enough to receive a full scholarship to attend the NextGen Academy, where I specialised in Back End Development. Through the NextGen Academy, I learnt JavaScript, Node.js, Express Framework, database administration and every other relevant information pertaining to web development.”
What were your favourite parts of the Academy?
“There were many awesome parts of the academy, so it’s hard to actually choose, but I would say my favourites were the fireside chat and mentor hour sessions. The academy provided a lot of opportunities for me to connect with experienced professionals in the tech industry through fireside chats and mentor hours. Some of them were people who started from where I am currently, so they were very relatable. They shared stories of the mistakes they made, how they also had awkward moments and even the challenges that they still face.Those sessions were so insightful, I got a lot of guidance, inspiration, and motivation, and I always felt supported whenever I faced any challenges. The mentors were there strategically to help us overcome our challenges, mostly around assessments or (personal) projects that we worked on, so that was really awesome”.
How did your fellow students impact your learning experience?
It was so much fun having a group and a tribe to constantly help with my growth because I never felt alone, so my fellow students were super helpful and had a huge impact on my learning experience. We worked together as a team, shared ideas and supported each other throughout the program. We also took our preferred Udemy courses and discussed our learnings, which helped me to grow and be more confident in my work. One of my colleagues, Oloruntobi Olutola, was particularly helpful as she always kept us informed about the latest developments in the tech industry. A good community is really important for growth, I’ll definitely say that. I can’t imagine doing all of that on my own without help. Also, it was nice to have people on the same “level” – in terms of being a tech newbie – because we all grew together. There was nothing to be scared of. It was wholesome and I enjoyed every bit of having my colleagues around.
What was a major milestone for you at the NextGen Academy?
There was a website building project that we took up during my time at the Academy. At first, I was nervous about it because I was relatively unfamiliar with the direction that we were going in. Looking back, I’m actually glad that I accepted the challenge, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to tell this story. The project was an e-commerce website, where I developed the Backend API. The challenge for me was implementing authentication and KYC for the website, but I had to learn on the job and I gained so much valuable knowledge about web token authentication. Of course, I didn’t do this alone, I had help from my fellow students. It’s a big deal for me because of that satisfaction that comes with completing a challenge. So yes, this was a major milestone for me.
On a scale of 1 – 10, how likely are you to recommend this program to someone else?
I would rate my likelihood of referring someone to the NextGen Academy as a 9. The community is amazing, and I believe that anyone starting out in the tech industry should take advantage of this opportunity. I can’t speak for everyone, but you may or may not get this unique experience elsewhere. The intentionality of our facilitators and mentors are immeasurable, and that was one of the things that sustained me. So yes, a 9 out of 10.
What advice would you give to other tech newbies out there?
I have so much advice to give, but the most important ones are to be prepared to make sacrifices, be willing to learn every day and stay updated with the latest trends in the industry. These really changed the game for me and I’m certain that applying these principles consistently will help you grow. It definitely applies to other facets of life, but these 3 principles were – and still are – my Holy Grail.
Conclusion
Hikmat’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of investing in young people’s education. It shows that when they are supported and given the opportunity to excel, they can rise to the challenge and succeed. It also demonstrates the impact that a little support can have on a person’s life.
At NextGen Academy, we are proud to have played a part in Hikmat’s success and we look forward to seeing her continue to make waves in the tech industry. Her story serves as a beacon of hope for all young women who wish to start a career – in tech and in other fields.
Just like Hikmat, you too can join the NextGen Academy to start a tech career and increase your employability chances in the job market. The world needs more tech professionals, and you can be one of them.
An equal opportunity is all that is needed for young people to excel in any area of their dreams. At the NextGen Academy, our goal is to empower African tech newbies with skills that will set them apart in the job market.
We will be sharing a case study of one of our students, whom this opportunity was given and used it to her advantage. Here is the story of Hikmat Dikko.
Hikmat Dikko is a shining example of what can be achieved when a young woman is given the opportunity to succeed. Despite facing financial challenges and coming from a family with limited resources, Hikmat had a passion for technology and a determination to make her dream a reality.
That’s why she reached out to the NextGen Academy, a prestigious school for technology and engineering, for support. To her surprise, the academy fully covered her tuition, provided her with a laptop, and even gave her monthly stipends to help with her living expenses.
With this support, Hikmat was able to focus on her studies and excel in her classes. She quickly established herself as a top student, known for her hard work and dedication. After graduation, she landed a 6-month internship role at Seamfix, a leading technology company, further demonstrating her talent and potential.
