On July 11, 2024, the Oracle office in Lagos welcomed a group of 20 teenage girls from Young Women Code, accompanied by their guardians. This visit, hosted collaboratively by Oracle Academy and Oracle Women’s Leadership, was not just an introduction to the world of technology, it also served as a focused mentorship session designed to inspire and empower these young women.

Young Women Code is a non-profit organization dedicated to bridging the gender gap in the technology industry by providing young women and girls with the resources, mentorship, and opportunities they need to excel.

The day kicked off with a warm welcome from Bekere Amassoma, Oracle Academy Program Manager, Sub Saharan Africa, followed by a short speech from the Young Women Code Founder, Deborah-Anne Albert, which set the tone for what was an inspiring and enlightening experience for the girls.

An interesting part of the visit was a series of interactive workshops. These sessions were carefully planned to provide hands-on experience in career planning, problem-solving, and creative thinking.

The girls had the opportunity to sit down with Oracle employees, discussing their interests, aspirations, and the various pathways available in the tech industry. The mentors took turns in providing tailored guidance and support.

The mentors were Helen Olori, Technology Sales Representative, ECEMEA Tech TABD West Africa; Omolara Ajayi, Regional VAD Manager, MEA; and Kehinde Adewunmi, Technology License Sales Representative, ECEMEA Tech Named Sales.

Networking played a crucial role in the visit. The girls had ample opportunities to interact with the Oracle mentors across various lines of business. These interactions were not just about career advice but also about building lasting connections and understanding the collaborative spirit that drives success in the tech industry.

The Young Women Code visit to Oracle Nigeria highlighted the profound impact that mentorship and exposure can have on young minds. By bridging the gap between education and real-world application, mentorship initiatives like this championed by Oracle Academy help demystify the tech industry and make it more accessible and appealing to youth, especially young women.

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