Meet Oluwatosin Thompson | Software Engineer & Mentor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Oluwatosin Thompson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Oluwatosin, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
I have learnt that a career is comprised of facets, and with each facet comes the need to learn something new. It taught me continuous learning and to be a teachable person. Regardless of age, only a person who is young at heart and curious can learn something new.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I didn’t start out in tech – I studied Zoology, but along the way, I realised I wanted more: to build things, solve real problems, and make an impact. I started with frontend development, teaching myself how to bring ideas to life in the browser. Later, I moved into backend engineering, where I found real joy in building systems that power products behind the scenes.

What sets me apart is how quickly I learn and adapt – I’ve had to. Coming from a non-traditional background meant I had to catch up fast, ask questions, and constantly grow. I’m also big on sharing what I know and working well in diverse teams.

Nothing about the journey has been easy, but I’ve learned to stay curious, stay humble, and keep showing up. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, but even more excited about where I’m going.

My story is proof that your starting point doesn’t define your finish line and that growth is possible when you’re willing to keep learning, keep building, and bring others along with you. I care about doing meaningful work, creating real value, and staying true to who I am while doing it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend came visiting, the first place I’d take them is the beach, for a calm, relaxed evening just watching the waves and catching up. At some point during the week, we’d definitely eat at The Place – I have a personal bias for their asun rice, and I think everyone deserves to try it at least once. I’d also take them to Tamara Court, a quiet serviced apartment I stayed in back in 2021 – super peaceful and just perfect for downtime.

One morning, we’d order the best banana bread from Gourmet Twist – soft, rich, and totally worth the hype. We’d have it with tea or juice while just lounging and talking about everything and nothing. The rest of the week would be a mix of trying new food spots, maybe a bit of exploring, and just enjoying the city at our own pace. Nothing too serious, just good vibes, good food, and quality time.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to express my gratitude to Dr. Ebikekeme Ere, who provided me with my first job opportunity and trusted my potential to grow into a proficient software engineer, even though I had no prior knowledge of the specific programming language. I learned Golang on the job. Thanks to his support, I felt safe as a woman in a new environment and developed the confidence to manage tasks independently. He believed in me and gave me a chance.

Website: https://goninja.hashnode.dev/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_goninja?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oluwatosin-oghenewaire/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@_waire