Interview with Websoft CEO, Johnson Dunmoye

Our Tech Titan on this episode has proven himself as a born innovator and idea generator after over 10 years of launching out in the Nigerian technology industry. 

He and his team of professionals have created and deployed innovative web applications for Nigeria's biggest brands alongside solutions with a huge Nigerian user base.

He brings his passion for business and technology to bear as CEO of Websoft Limited with a culture that totally removes hierarchy from the workplace while creating an environment that promotes creativity and optimal individual and team performance.

Please, welcome with us Johnson Dunmoye. 

TTN: How did you start your company? 

JD: Started with a couple of friends while in year 3. We started from wanting to setup the first cyber cafe in the University of Ibadan to learning to use Photoshop for fun and then website design and now to where we are today.

TTN: Please, share some of your greatest lessons so far in the Nigerian tech industry?

JD: Development and launch of a product or service is just 10% of what is required for success. The remaining 90% includes and is not limited to strategy, determination,user feedback, flexibility, time, opportunity amongst others.

TTN: What are the biggest challenges you faced in growing your business?

JD:  We've been limited to running the company strictly from the money the company makes. Absolutely no funding from anywhere.

Secondly, finding compatible people to work with is always a challenge.

TTN: Based on your experience please share a few startup tips?

JD: Let me summarize with the following points:

1. Life does not start after school, make sure you start something when you are in school.

2. Do not wait for everything to be perfect before you start, its never to late to start

3. Don't expect instant success!

4. Never see the companies money as yours, pay your self a monthly allowance that you are sure your company can pay even at bad times and survive on it.

5. Have a focussed market. Consider making your money from smaller target of people that can pay rather than chasing the mass market from start. For a small company, Its easier to make a profit of N100,000 from 10 people  than to make a profit of N1 from 1,000,000 people. 

TTN: What can technology professionals & entrepreneurs do about the harsh business terrain?

JD: See it as an advantage, more money exists where there are more problems. The harsh business terrain cuts down competition for you.

TTN: What companies have influenece you the most in the tech world & Why?

JD: Google, because I find a connection with their style and philosophy.

TTN: What are your favourite applications/tools/ products & Why?

JD: Adobe products since their tools are the dominant tools in web solutions development.

TTN: What are the most important attributes for success in the Nigerian tech industry?

JD: Similar to what I said earlier - Innovation, Strategy, Positioning, Determination, Skill, Finance and God.

TTN: Advice for young entrepreneurs & aspiring technology professionals?

JD: Entrepreneurship is a way of life. Most of the advice below are for entrepreneurs:

1. Let people know you for one thing and be the best at it!

2. Identify what can bring you money now for survival.

3. Keep working and looking for a product or service that if it works will give you good, contant flow of income.

4. Never depend on contracts jobs, no matter how much it pays, see them only as for temporary survival.

5. Choosing to be an entrepreneur, is choosing to close all exit options, die trying, no going back!

TTN: What book(s) influenced you the most.

JD: Blue ocean strategy

TTN: What do you think the future holds for web & mobile in Nigeria?

JD: The future is bright and now is the time to position

TTN: How do you relax off work?

JD: Watch TV, play the Nintendo Wii.

More about Johnson Dunmoye

Johnson Dunmoye is a highly experienced Application and Graphic designer with over ten years of experience in the field of Web Application development for public and private clients.

He also has an in-depth understanding of the Nigerian market and experience in planning, strategy development and business analysis. 

He is currently on the committee of Nigeria Software Development Initiative (NSDI), a presidential Initiative set up by Former President Obasanjo to look into software development in Nigeria. 

Johnson is a graduate of Civil Engineering from the University of Ibadan and is an alumnus of the prestigious Lagos Business School.

Please, feel free to share this post and leave comments. You can also mail us - extracens@gmail.com to recommend a Tech Titan. Thank you for reading!

Interview with TTC Mobile CEO, Engr. Akin Aregbesola

It's well known that the easiest and best way to learn about any area or field is ask those who make things happen there. 

Our very first guest on Tech Titans Nigeria is a true technology titan. One who has overcome several barriers to turn his vision into reality.

He's currently the CEO and Managing Director of TTC Mobile, a leader in area of telecommunications training in Nigerian. TTC Mobile has sponsored thousands of Nigerian youths to various trainings in IT and telecoms in the last 5 years via its numerous grassroots oriented programs such as the National Technology Scholarship, National ICT Summit, National Youth Development program and Free IT Training programs. 

Please, join us in welcoming Engr. Akin Aregbesola on board TTN. Enjoy!

Q: What challenges do you believe currently face Technological Advancement in Nigeria?

A:  Power: For this reason,there is immigration of multinationals to Ghana. This is killing us even technologically.     

     Financing: Many young people have great ideas but no finance to bring it to life.
     Lack of  Training/ Manpower: To buy equipment is one thing. To man it or fully explore it is another.        

     Usually, the people with the right training are not available and are hardly available long enough.

     Choosing the right staff: Staffs of 3 right persons is better than a staff of 20 wrong persons.

Q: What can entrepreneurs do about them?

A: Work with experts to circumvent these challenges as they grow in business. Still go ahead and start small.         
     Tackle the challenges as they unfold.

Q: What can the Government do to help?

A: Provide Electricity: This is over-flogged already but it still remains the number 1 challenge. I spend over 100,000 Naira on 3 generators. Can you then imagine how enormous this challenge is for small and medium and even for the big companies?
Provide an enabling environment: SON and other regulation bodies should be up and doing. Mandate banks to finance worthy (Telecom) projects.

Q: What are your greatest lessons so far in the industry?

A:  -  It pays to be unique in the services you render.

      -  It is easier to pick 10 Naira from many persons than to pick 1 million Naira from a single company. 

      -  I can't do it all by myself, i need the right people in the right places in my Organization.

      -  Content is very important , Packaging is equally important

Q: What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs/Colleagues?

A: Don't copy. Be Unique. Also, don't wait to have everything before you start.

Q: What are your favorite mobile and desktop applications/tools/products and Why?

A: Mobile: I hardly use.

    Desktop: Corel, because i need to do a lot of graphics.

Q: Please tell us when and how your company was started and also how you made it to this level   

     today?

A:  I founded the company in 2003. All I had then was a computer, a mobile phone and just enough money to run 3 small adverts in the Guardian newspaper. I had no office space, no staff and no sign post. It got to this level as a result of creativity, perseverance and lately, having the right staff.

Q: What kind of certifications are available in the Telecoms industry and how important are they

A:  Vendor Certifications such as Ericcson, Huawei, Alcatel, etc . You do not require certifications to launch yourself into the industry. However, at some level in your career path, Ericcson (for example) would prefer to give/ taken instructions only from Ericcson certified professional in that field. This is usually after 2 years of configuration of the vendor's equipment.

Q: What are the challenges your company has faced and how did you solve them?

A: Too theoretical training: Acquisition of telecom equipments for practicals and setting up Lab trainings to practice after class.
Recognition from respective trainees: persistent advert and promotion; several training abroad: UK, Germany and USA. 
Industry Recognition: membership of ATCON and ITAN.

Q: What inspires you to do what you do?

A: Result: The positive influence I rub on my people around me. The knowledge I have that the majority of them are happy doing business with me.
Also, the knowledge and confidence that my little contribution can significantly add to the contributions of others like me, to create a technological environment that will open new possibilities to the Nigerian populace.

Q: How do you relax off work?

A: I play and watch TV with my kids.

More about Engr. Akin Aregbesola 

After earning a B.Eng in Electrical Engineering  from the University of Ado Ekiti in 1994, Engr. Aregbesola  obtained a PGD in Information Technology from Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen in 1999 and then later an MBA. 

He undertook Advanced Networking training with Verhoef, Bath followed by a Wimax training with Lever Technologies Group, Leeds both in England.

He was the formerly Head of Training, e-learning Centre, Lagos before setting up TTC in 2003.

He has won several awards over the years including African Icon of our Generation by Accolade Communications (2009), IT Pacesetter (2007) by the West Africa Student Union and Icon of Information Technology by HTA Organisation (2006).

Please, feel free to share your comments on this post or email: extracens@gmail.com to recommend a Tech Titan in a subsequent episode. Thanks for reading!

Welcome!

Tech Titans Nigeria is a platform where those who shape and influence the business of information technology in Nigeria share their thoughts on challenges, ideas, opportunities and their experiences so far in this area with the world.

This blog will be updated regularly and will feature answers to questions from technology professionals from various backgrounds in Nigeria.

We will also have regular guest appearances from top technology people from global technology companies with interests in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

The objectives of this idea include achieving increased collaboration amongst technology professionals in Nigeria, inspiring younger technology professionals and entrepreneurs and most importantly creating an atmosphere for greater innovation and huge technology advancement in Nigeria.  

Tech Titans Nigeria is powered by Extracens Limited. www.extracens.com