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Jane Egerton-Idehen
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Hi, I am Jane Egerton-Idehen. Welcome to my official YouTube channel.
Are you ready to elevate your career, scale your business, and lead with purpose? As a global tech executive, author, and passionate advocate for women in STEM, I created this space to share my real-world experience and help you thrive.
Subscribe for powerful insights and actionable advice on:
🚀 Leadership & Career Growth: Strategies to shatter glass ceilings, own your voice, and build a fulfilling career.
💻 Technology & STEM: Navigating the tech industry and championing women in technology.
📈 Business, Sales & Startups: Proven tactics for scaling ventures, mastering sales, and driving startup success.
🌍 Africa’s Tech Ecosystem: Exploring innovation, investments, and opportunities across the African continent.
An ambitious entrepreneur, a seasoned professional, or a young woman in STEM? I want to help guide you to success.
🔔 Hit Subscribe to join our community of trailblazers.
Are you ready to elevate your career, scale your business, and lead with purpose? As a global tech executive, author, and passionate advocate for women in STEM, I created this space to share my real-world experience and help you thrive.
Subscribe for powerful insights and actionable advice on:
🚀 Leadership & Career Growth: Strategies to shatter glass ceilings, own your voice, and build a fulfilling career.
💻 Technology & STEM: Navigating the tech industry and championing women in technology.
📈 Business, Sales & Startups: Proven tactics for scaling ventures, mastering sales, and driving startup success.
🌍 Africa’s Tech Ecosystem: Exploring innovation, investments, and opportunities across the African continent.
An ambitious entrepreneur, a seasoned professional, or a young woman in STEM? I want to help guide you to success.
🔔 Hit Subscribe to join our community of trailblazers.
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Jane Egerton-Idehen
Leading in Turbulent Times: What I Learned When Everything Fell Apart
A few years ago, I was tasked with building a team to crack a new market—setting up operations from the ground up.
Eighteen months later, we had gained zero traction.
Shortly after, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
In hindsight, I often ask myself: How did I miss the early signs?
But in that moment, the reality was clear:
The business was under severe financial pressure
My team was uncertain and asking hard questions
Clients were skeptical
And I had no control over the financial crisis itself
What I did have control over was this: how we responded.
That experience reshaped how I think about leadership—especially in times like these, where volatility is the norm, not the exception.
Whether it’s economic instability, rapid technological change, or shifting market dynamics, leaders today must operate differently.
Here are four principles that guided me then—and matter even more now.
1. Accept the New Reality—Fast
One year into that market, it became obvious: we were the underdog.
Not just new entrants—we had to cut costs aggressively, rethink our approach, and operate with constraints we hadn’t planned for.
The hardest part? Acceptance.
Many organizations don’t fail because of crisis—they fail because they misread reality or delay acknowledging it.
As Peter Drucker once noted, the greatest danger in turbulent times is the temptation to deny reality.
For leaders today—especially in fast-moving sectors like tech—this is critical.
Markets shift. Consumer behavior evolves. Capital tightens.
The question is: Are you responding to today’s reality—or yesterday’s assumptions?
2. Balance What Must Change vs What Must Endure
In a crisis, the instinct is often to change everything.
That’s a mistake.
The real leadership challenge is this: What must change—and what must remain constant?
In our case:
We changed how we managed costs
We became far more proactive and hands-on with clients
We rethought our approach to prospecting
But we did not change:
Our commitment to service quality
Our responsiveness
Our core value proposition
This balance matters even more today.
Take the post-COVID world:
E-commerce exploded
Remote work became mainstream
Digital engagement accelerated
But not everything disappeared.
Instead, we now operate in a hybrid, omnichannel world.
Consumers browse in-store and buy online. Teams work remotely and collaborate physically.
The insight for leaders: Don’t just react—diagnose. Identify what needs to evolve—and protect what still works.
3. See Turbulence as a Window for Opportunity
Turbulent periods are uncomfortable—but they are also strategic inflection points.
In our situation, we discovered something important:
We had newer technology than many incumbents.
While the crisis made us vulnerable, it also made us:
More agile
More innovative
More willing to experiment
We leveraged this by:
Offering clients opportunities to test our solutions
Engaging actively in industry regulatory discussions
Positioning ourselves as forward-looking players
And it worked.
Even in uncertainty, curiosity exists—especially around innovation.
We’re seeing this today across Nigeria’s tech ecosystem:
Fintech continues to evolve despite macroeconomic pressures
Digital payments adoption is accelerating
AI and automation are opening new frontiers
The takeaway: Crisis doesn’t just disrupt—it redistributes opportunity.
The question is: Are you positioned to capture it?
4. Prepare Ahead—Always
One of the most underrated leadership disciplines is preparation before crisis hits.
A good way to paint this. The story of Joseph in the bible is a great storyline for this , while Pharaoh had a great dream about famine and a time of plenty for Egypt , he needed someone to interpret it. And even after Joseph, a slave he had in his kingdom, did interpret the meaning, he wanted to know what he should do with those insights? That was when Joseph recommended the Offensive strategy. Prepare, Plan and save for the day of lack during the time of plenty.
Too many organizations operate reactively—only adjusting when pressure builds.
But strong organizations are built to be proactive, not defensive.
Preparation means:
Continuously reviewing your business model
Letting go of unproductive processes, products, or structures
Investing in capabilities before they become urgent
In today’s environment, this is even more critical.
We are seeing:
Rapid technological shifts (AI, automation, digital platforms)
Changing workforce expectations
Increasing global and local economic volatility
The leaders who will win are not those who react fastest— but those who are already positioned when change comes.
Final Thought: Turbulence Is Not the Exception—It Is the Cycle
Looking back, what I learned is simple:
Turbulent times will always exist.
They are not disruptions to the system—they are part of the system.
The real question for leaders is not: “How do we avoid turbulence?”
But:
Are we building organizations that can adapt quickly?
Are we making decisions based on current realities?
Are we acting with yesterday’s logic in today’s world?
From global conflicts to economic uncertainty, to rapid technological change—we are living in a period of profound transition.
And within that transition lies opportunity.
If you remember only one thing, remember this:
Accept the new reality
Know what to change—and what to preserve
Look for opportunity within disruption
Always prepare ahead
Leadership in 2026 and beyond will not be defined by stability— but by the ability to navigate and leverage uncertainty.
If this resonates, I’d be interested in your perspective:
What has been the hardest leadership decision you’ve had to make in uncertain times?
Originally written on May 4, 2026
Link to original LinkedIn article
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/leadin...
(C) Jane Egerton-Idehen
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Jane Egerton-Idehen
The Only Woman in the Room — But Not the Smallest Voice
When I walked into the room with the final team of the day — the Imo App Development Group — I immediately noticed something.
There was only one visible woman in the group.
If you’ve spent time in Nigerian tech spaces, you know this scene well. A room full of developers, engineers, and innovators… and one woman sitting among them.
It’s not unusual.
But it always catches my attention.
As we began introductions, I briefly considered who should speak first. Perhaps the team lead, Favor, or another member of the group.
But we eventually landed on Chiamaka .
And the moment she started speaking, she did something that completely shifted the energy in the room.
She began with something unexpected.
She looked at me and said she had been following my work, that she admired it, and that she had been watching my journey on social media.
Simple. Honest. Direct.
And in that moment, I thought about something we don’t talk enough about in leadership spaces:
fragile egos.
Too often, admiration, ambition, or confidence in younger professionals can make people uncomfortable.
But Chiamaka wasn’t shrinking.
She wasn’t negotiating for space.
She was simply owning her voice.
Then after the introductions, she made one polite request:
"Ma’am, I would love to take a picture with you when you’re done."
No hesitation.
No apology.
Just clarity.
And I loved that.
Because what stood out to me wasn’t just the request — it was the confidence behind it.
While many people in that room may have seen “the only woman in the group,” Chiamaka clearly didn’t see herself that way.
She saw herself for exactly who she was:
A brilliant engineer. A full-stack developer. A builder who speaks multiple languages.
And by languages, I mean code.
She wasn’t asking for permission to belong.
She already knew she did.
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The Reflection That Stayed With Me
Long after the session ended, I kept thinking about that moment.
Because it made me ask myself an important question:
What does it mean to occupy a position of influence as a woman?
And more importantly:
How do we use that platform to lift other women?
Chiamaka reminded me that sometimes the most powerful leadership lessons are not taught on panels or stages.
They are demonstrated in everyday moments.
In confidence.
In courage.
In the refusal to be boxed in.
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What “Supporting Women” Looks Like in Real Life
This year’s International Women’s Day — speaks about the power of generosity and collaboration.
And in that moment with Chiamaka, I saw exactly what that means.
When women show up fully…
When they encourage one another…
When they amplify each other’s voices…
Something powerful happens.
Opportunities multiply.
Confidence spreads.
Possibility expands.
To Every Young Woman Building in Tech
Today, on International Women’s Day, I want to say this to every young woman building in tech, engineering, and innovation spaces in Nigeria:
Show up.
Show out.
Do not allow the boxes that society, systems, or environments create to define your reality.
Do not let being “the only woman in the room” make you feel smaller.
Take the seat.
Ask the question.
Lead the conversation.
Write the code.
Ship the product.
Build the future.
Be firmly in the driver’s seat of your own life.
Because somewhere out there, another young girl is watching you the same way Chiamaka told me she had been watching my journey.
And when she sees you rise, she will believe she can too.
Happy International Women’s Day.
Originally written on March 8, 2024
Link to original LinkedIn article
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/only-w...
(C) Jane Egerton-Idehen
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Jane Egerton-Idehen
Dauntless; A Letter To My Sisters
My dear woman,
It's another International Women's Day, and many organizations , leaders are echoing their commitment and pledge to have more women leaders. They are publicly announcing their dedication to support and run programs for women. Many have even set targets. Interestingly, those targets have not moved much since the past two decades I started tracking them.
Don’t get overwhelmed with these messages in March. They will be splashed all over the media and reiterated in programs and events. It's quite a lot. Just like birthdays, everyone is celebrating you. In my experience, in April, it all gets forgotten. I know because your life is more than a month. I want you to ride on this awareness and create room for others, and shine the light on those less seen. Invite others and show them the way, even in the face of your challenges.
I celebrate every day your gallant determination to push through your careers and enterprises. Intelligence and beauty are not mutually exclusive. It's common for people to initially focus on physical appearance, but when they witness the depth of your intellect, it can be pleasantly surprising for them. So, smile, knowing that their oversight only underscores their misunderstanding.
"Dauntless"—that was the word the Nigerian team at the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournaments 2024 chose as their team focus. That is your word. That ability to do anything you put your mind to, regardless of the barriers. Time and time again, we see you come together and fight back when things aren't going the right way. You make our world beautiful and non-homogenous. Don’t be carried away by all the noise around you. I see you, and also, many more men are rooting for this cause more than you think.
Balancing your career or business responsibilities with roles as a sister, friend, spouse, caregiver, and mother is undeniably challenging. However, view this as a rallying call to action: as your sphere of influence expands, strive to cultivate an environment where women have the freedom to pursue both personal and professional fulfilment. Let it serve as a gentle push for you to advocate for and occupy spaces where you can actively contribute to shifting the existing paradigm for women in your community or workplace.
I deeply appreciate the profound role you play in nurturing life within you. Your courageous decision to embrace the call of nature and motherhood is commendable. While some may perceive it as an overwhelming commitment or undervalue this calling compared to their own, your choice is a testament to your strength and resilience. Whether you opt not to pursue the path of marriage or motherhood, your bravery in charting your own course should never waver. Keep forging ahead with unwavering audacity.
I decided 10 years ago that, irrespective of all the goals to promote gender equality and equity in the workplace and society at large, the goal starts with me. I must be the change I want, live the change I desire, and work at the change irrespective of the challenges. It will take more than a lifetime. It is like climbing a hill. One that all mothers and grandmothers before us helped reduce. We are grateful for their sacrifices.
Our barriers to gender equality and equity are glaring like a hill to climb. In many ways, it seems the average woman has hills to climb. Would you join me in reducing these hills for other women coming up behind us even as we climb our hills together? Dauntless Women supporting women. I want to reduce some hills a bit for my daughter Sarah while she prepares to climb. I want to root for her as she climbs her hills.
Barriers to gender equality and equity suggest that we lack access to some rooms. If so, I have decided to break doors so they remain open for women. I am not trying to break open all doors or tie down every barrier. I just want one more open door forced to stay open. Access to just one more room. They might call it courageous. We might call it Dauntless.
I celebrate your bravery today as you stand tall and go for your dreams. Live your purpose, not bound by others' unconscious bias. My intelligent, smart, hardworking, and beautiful sister, each success we achieve enhances all of us. So choose to carry others along. Those ignored, without a voice, are not seen because of their age, colour, background, and societal status. Let’s always check the room to ensure we carry them along. When they feel like they belong, they, like you, can truly unleash their potential to make this world a better place.
My aspirational, beautiful, and smart woman, happy International Women’s Day.
Originally written on March 8, 2024
Link to original LinkedIn article
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/dauntl...
(C) Jane Egerton-Idehen
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Jane Egerton-Idehen
Against All Odds
Last week, I shared the lyrics of the school anthem of Girls Model School Lugbe in Abuja. The picture here today captures the essence of that phase: "When you train the girl child, you have trained the whole nation." It is clear that, against all odds, this determined mother of a less-than-a-year-old baby showed up for her digital skills training, even if that meant attending classes with her baby. This was my picture of the day.
I visited the ICT center in Kaduna State (KAD ICT Center) as part of my two-day working visit to the Northwestern region of Nigeria. I was blown away to see this mother working in her graphics class with a baby on her lap. Though we joked about the baby being a digital specialist before his peers,
Numerous studies have indicated a positive correlation between the education of women and various aspects of child development. There is also evidence to suggest that the children of educated mothers are more likely to perform well in school.
Education empowers women, leading to improved decision-making abilities. Empowered women are more likely to make choices that positively impact the well-being of their children, such as family planning, seeking healthcare, and investing in education.
So, let's support our women striving along the path of getting an education and building a career. Some common challenges that still exist include:
1. Pregnancy Discrimination:
Women may face discrimination or bias based on pregnancy. This can include not being considered for promotions, being subjected to negative comments, or even facing job loss.
2. Work-Life Balance:
Balancing the demands of work and the responsibilities of childcare can be challenging. Women may find it difficult to manage the expectations of both their employers and their families, leading to stress and burnout. They are expected to take their kids for every immunization appointment, deal with domestic work, spend most time on childcare, and yet show up at work at 8 am after probably a sleepless night of breastfeeding and childcare. How can we support them?
3. Lack of Flexible Work Arrangements:
One of the positive outcomes of COVID is the general acceptance of hybrid/remote or flexible work hours. Flexible work arrangements, such as remote work or flexible hours, are crucial for mothers. The absence of such arrangements can make it difficult for women to balance work and childcare responsibilities.
4. Unsupportive Work Environment:
An unsupportive work culture can contribute to the challenges women face during the childbearing phase. This may include a lack of understanding from colleagues or superiors about the needs of working mothers. Would you allow a nursing mother with an emergency case of a caregiver for her baby to show up to work with her baby? How would you handle that?
5. Stigma Around Career Interruptions:
Women who take breaks from their careers to raise children may face stigma or bias when trying to re-enter the workforce. Employers may question their commitment or view their skills as outdated. This is where many of those women fall off the workforce. How can we reintroduce them to the workforce, have hiring processes that support such re-introduction if they have had such breaks?
6. Limited Advancement Opportunities:
Women may find it challenging to advance in their careers during the childbearing phase due to perceived limitations or biases from employers. This can affect their long-term career prospects and earning potential.
7. Childcare Costs:
The high cost of childcare services can be a significant barrier for women who want to continue their careers. In African culture, the support from extended family members has always bridged this gap, but as many women start to grow their careers, the modern lifestyle seems to move that support from family to paid childcare. This financial burden may lead some women to opt for career breaks.
I would love to hear your thoughts on what can be done to address this. How is your organization dealing with the above challenges?
Originally written on January 26, 2024
Link to original LinkedIn article
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/agains...
(C) Jane Egerton-Idehen
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