Nigerian engineer Adora Nwodo is redefining tech education in Africa through NexaScale.
In Nigeria’s evolving technology ecosystem, Adora Nwodo is one of the voices shaping how African talent engages with the digital world. A software engineer and founder of NexaScale, Nwodo has spent the past few years building bridges between education, employability, and innovation in technology across the continent.
Her interest in technology began in Lagos, where she developed a curiosity for coding alongside her brothers. That early fascination eventually shaped her academic and professional path. She graduated with a first-class degree in Computer Science from the University of Lagos. She later completed the Stanford LEAD programme, gaining a combination of technical expertise and leadership training.
Her professional career includes time at Microsoft, where she worked on projects such as Microsoft Mesh and Azure Object Anchors, initiatives at the crossroads of mixed reality and cloud computing. Her experience at Microsoft helped refine her understanding of how technology can drive change both locally and globally.
NexaScale: Closing the Skills Gap
Founded by Nwodo, NexaScale is an edtech social enterprise aimed at helping aspiring technologists develop practical skills and gain work experience. The organisation offers simulated work environments that replicate real-world projects, giving participants opportunities to collaborate, boost confidence, and build professional competence.
According to NexaScale, the platform has engaged thousands of participants across Nigeria and beyond, providing opportunities such as mock interviews, hackathons, and mentorship programmes. The approach addresses one of the sector’s key challenges — the gap between theoretical education and practical industry needs.
Among NexaScale’s community initiatives is Future STEM Stars, a programme targeting secondary school students, particularly in public schools, to inspire early interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Through school visits, workshops, and mentorship sessions, the initiative introduces young people, especially girls, to opportunities within the tech industry.
The programme has distributed learning materials, offered technical training, and promoted participation in innovation challenges. By exposing young students to technology early, NexaScale aims to nurture a generation of Africans equipped to contribute to a growing digital economy.
NexaScale reports that over 11,000 people have benefited from its various programmes, including online communities and workshops supported by volunteers across different countries. Some alumni have gone on to secure roles in technology companies, reflecting the organisation’s expanding influence in Nigeria’s tech education sector.
Nwodo has received recognition for her contributions to the field, including the Forty Under 40 Global Award for Excellence in Software Development. She is also an active advocate for diversity and inclusion in technology, particularly in encouraging more young women to pursue careers in STEM.
Beyond statistics, Nwodo’s work is a wider effort to make technology more inclusive and accessible. By focusing on experiential learning, mentorship, and collaboration, NexaScale contributes to preparing Africa’s youth for careers in an increasingly digital world.
