Precious Ikade’s Journey from ₦1.7M Debt to Tech Trailblazer with Tekbuddy

Precious Ikade, founder of Tekbuddy, has turned a rocky start—marked by a ₦1.7 million debt from a failed multi-level marketing (MLM) venture—into a thriving tech career, now guiding Nigerian graduates toward smart, sustainable paths in the industry. Her story, detailed in a TechCabal feature, reflects resilience and a mission to prevent others from repeating her early missteps.

After earning a Business Administration degree in 2018, Ikade initially chased conventional careers like banking or HR but veered into MLM, hoping for entrepreneurial freedom. The venture left her in debt, a humbling lesson in chasing trends without clarity. A turning point came through a university connection who introduced her to Bode Roberts, CEO of Dataleum. At a tech event, Ikade discovered data analytics, sparking her entry into tech. She later pivoted to product management, drawn to its blend of strategy, operations, and problem-solving, which aligned with her business background. Despite the ₦50,000 cost of a Utiva product management masterclass feeling steep, she invested in it, driven by passion rather than hype.

Frustrated by seeing graduates rush into trending tech roles without assessing fit, Ikade co-founded Tekbuddy in 2023. The organization offers a “whole journey” approach: a six-hour AI-powered Career Discovery Bootcamp to identify suitable tech paths, followed by a four-month subsidized training program (₦20,000 monthly) for roles like product management or data analytics. Participants start with entry-level gigs, such as virtual assistants, to gain experience while building skills for higher roles. Tekbuddy’s community-driven model wraps up with a “career mastermind” group for ongoing mentorship, with cohorts like “Nova” marking graduates’ tech debut.

Ikade’s vision of innovation is grounded in impact: “Innovation is impact and experience,” she told TechCabal, emphasizing solutions that improve lives and reduce friction. She critiques Nigeria’s tech ecosystem for its money-driven motives, urging aspiring professionals to prioritize purpose over profit. With Tekbuddy, Ikade is building structured pathways to help graduates navigate tech with clarity, leveraging her hard-won lessons to foster a more intentional, inclusive industry.