Maryam Lawan Gwadabe:
By May Ikeora
In an industry often dominated by familiar faces, Maryam Lawan Gwadabe stands out as a refreshing force of innovation. As the founder of Blue Sapphire Hub, she is not just joining the tech conversation, she is leading it, particularly in Northern Nigeria where such leadership is both rare and revolutionary.
Maryam’s journey began with a bachelor’s degree in software engineering from Coventry University, followed by a master’s in computer network management from Middlesex University. Armed with this solid educational foundation, she returned to Nigeria with a vision: to harness the power of technology to transform businesses and communities.
Her brainchild, Blue Sapphire Hub, is more than just a tech incubator. It is a centre for technological entrepreneurship, capacity building, and innovation. Maryam is passionate about breaking down barriers, whether they are social strata, age, or gender stereotypes that prevent people from engaging with information and communications technology.
Wearing Many Hats (and Wearing Them Well)
Not content with just one title, Maryam is an academic researcher, business development support mentor, graphics designer, front-end developer, and certified digital marketer. She is the kind of person who makes you wonder if she has discovered a way to add extra hours to the day.
Her keen interest in the opportunities presented by technology drives her to leverage innovations that impact every business she encounters. She believes that technology is not just for the select few but a tool that can uplift entire communities.
In addition to her entrepreneurial ventures, Maryam serves as a Special Advisor on Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Capital to the Honourable Minister at the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy. In this role, she is has also been instrumental in making technology accessible to all especially to women and girls through her ICT for girls project.
Accolades and Achievements
Maryam’s work has not gone unnoticed. She is an alumna of Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 (2020), highlighting her as one of the continent’s brightest young entrepreneurs. In 2022, she received the Outstanding Woman in Tech award from the United Nations Association of Nigeria’s Women in Leadership Award. Her research has also been recognised; she received the Best Paper in the Information and Communications Technology Track at the Emerging Research Paradigms in Business and Social Sciences Conference in Dubai (2015).
Impacting Communities One Byte at a Time
What sets Maryam apart is her commitment to using technology as a tool for community development. She actively encourages people from all walks of life to engage with ICT, breaking down the often-intimidating barriers that surround the tech industry. Whether through workshops, mentorship programmes, or speaking engagements, she is on a mission to democratise technology.
Maryam’s work reflects a global perspective rooted in local realities. She understands that the challenges faced in Northern Nigeria require solutions that are both innovative and culturally sensitive. By bridging the gap between global technological advancements and local needs, she is ensuring that no one gets left behind in the digital revolution.
Inspiring the Next Generation
As a woman in tech, Maryam is acutely aware of the gender disparities that exist within the industry. She actively works to inspire young girls to pursue careers in STEM fields, serving as a role model who embodies what is possible when passion meets purpose.
