From Nigeria to Google: Dr. Ayomide Enakerakpo on Career, Success, and Staying True to Her Roots

Dr. Ayomide Rukayat Enakerakpo is a Nigerian computer scientist and author based in New York City. Her expertise lies in cybersecurity, currently applied as a Security Software Engineer at Google, contributing to digital safety for millions. Beyond her technical prowess, Dr. Enakerakpo is passionate about empowering others, particularly young African women, to thrive in the tech space. Through her work as a motivational speaker and social entrepreneur, she ignites their passion and fuels their potential. She obtained her first and second degrees at the University of Ibadan and proceeded to bag a doctorate degree at Binghampton University. She spoke to allNaijadiaspora.com about life in the diaspora and how she combines her role as a busy techie with life as a published author.

Excerpts:

Please, tell us more about yourself.

I am a child of God, a devoted mother, and a loving wife. I spend my work week at Google as a Security Engineer, safeguarding the digital realm. But beyond code and firewalls, my heart beats with the desire to witness others thrive and live their best lives. I have done some work as a motivational speaker and social entrepreneur, using my skills to empower young African ladies in technology fields. I am also a language enthusiast; I love to teach children to speak and understand the Yoruba language.

At what point did you decide to leave Nigeria and what motivated this?

I left Nigeria after obtaining my master’s degree. My decision to leave was driven by my desire to specialise in a specific field and become an expert in it. Remaining in Nigeria would not have facilitated that goal.

Please, walk us through your experience in the US so far. How would you describe your experience and what factors would you think have contributed to the success you have recorded so far?

My experience in the US has been exceptionally positive. I arrived here for my PhD studies, and the stark contrast in the educational environment between the US and Nigeria has left me astounded. Particularly remarkable is the way professors engage with students. A key factor in my achievements has been the unwavering support and encouragement I’ve received from everyone I’ve encountered in the US—whether it’s my advisor, the Dean, my landlord, or members of the church.

You studied and bagged a PhD. The natural progression, for many, would have been to end up in the classroom but you are now in industry. What lured you into the industry and what difference does it make?

I love the money in the industry, just kidding. While I don’t envision myself remaining solely in the classroom, I have a genuine passion for teaching. For me, teaching is more than just a job; it’s a means of contributing to my community. Additionally, working in the industry allows me to create solutions that directly enhance people’s lives.

What do you find most interesting about your job and in what ways would you think you’re impacting society?

The most captivating aspect of my job lies in my day-to-day work, which revolves around securing the digital realm. My role is pivotal in fostering trust among people when it comes to technology usage. Equally compelling is the freedom and opportunity I experience while working at Google. Being part of Google has reshaped my perception of contributing to an organisation’s vision. My impact at Google truly matters, and I am empowered with the resources to flourish not only as a Security Engineer but also in other areas I am passionate about.

You’re familiar with the evolution of the tech space in Nigeria. What are your impressions; what possibilities exist, and what do you think industry players and the government alike should do differently to actualize our full potential?

Over the past decade, the tech industry in Nigeria has witnessed remarkable growth. I am deeply appreciative of the dedicated efforts by certain individuals that have contributed to this progress. Despite this growth, there remain uncharted territories within the Nigerian tech landscape. While Fintech has received significant attention, areas such as Security (where I aspire to innovate) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have not been explored extensively. I look forward to seeing more initiatives aimed at diversifying and advancing our tech ecosystem in the near future.

How would you describe life as a Nigerian in the diaspora? What are the things that stand out for you?

I appreciate the supportive environment where many systems function effectively. I can easily see how the government uses taxpayers’ money. I love the transparency.

How do you think Nigeria can tap into its enormous diaspora talents for national development?

I know that a lot of Nigerians in the diaspora are already giving back. Whether it is organising conferences, or skill acquisition programs, or just investing in people. The government can contribute to this by making laws that make things like this easier.

What are your secrets for staying married and being a high-achieving professional in a boisterous place like New York?

Jesus is my secret. My source of excellence is my relationship with God and to keep that fresh I have to please God. And by the way, the Holy Spirit helps me to please God, so it’s pretty easy.

You recently authored a book on Yoruba culture for children and run a children’s channel on YouTube; what was the motivation? And what connection would you say exists between language development and the pursuit of technological advancement?

Living abroad presents unique challenges, including the transformation of simple things into luxuries. I consider teaching my children our indigenous language a precious gift, however, my indigenous language is very rarely spoken here. To ensure my kids receive this legacy, I took the initiative and created a pathway. Technology played a pivotal role in my efforts. YouTube enabled me to share videos online, and for the publication of my book, I collaborated with my publisher without meeting in person. Looking ahead, I aspire to develop educational games that help children learn Yoruba—a goal made possible by technology.

When you look at living abroad, what do you miss most about home?

Oh, how I long for delicious food! I also yearn for the support of family and friends. As a mother of two energetic boys, having that assistance in caring for them would truly have a profound impact on my life and my husband’s life.

What will your counsel be to any young Nigerian aspiring to succeed abroad? What would recommend as opportunities they could leverage to achieve their goals and ambitions?

Strive for excellence and advocate for yourself. This is essential for advancing your career in the US. Many Nigerians tend to downplay their achievements and hesitate to assert their worth. However, this mindset doesn’t serve us well here. After accomplishing outstanding work, it’s crucial to actively showcase it and deliver effective presentations. For students studying in the US, I highly recommend pursuing internships as they provide valuable practical experience.

From the policy dimension, as someone in the tech space, what do you think the Nigerian government should do differently to cause a quantum leap in technology adoption in Nigeria?

Before the adoption of technology can become widespread, technology companies must be willing to invest massively in user education, in building applications that fit Nigerian market and many more. The Nigerian government must do everything possible to build the trust of these companies. These companies should have a level of confidence that if they invest time and money in reaching previously unreached people (e.g the unbanked), the government will not wake up one day and make a policy that will completely render such investments useless. So basically, policy stability is important. Also, the government should make policies that give incentives to tech startups such tax breaks. This will encourage the establishment of more companies and give them the opportunity to grow more rapidly.

What would you counsel be to an average Nigerian youth who like to succeed like you?

Wherever you are, do your best work and be consistent at that.