Favor Ohanekwu is a self-driven and passionate technology enthusiast who is revolutionizing the technology industry through his tireless contributions to open source. As a go-getter, he embodies determination and perseverance. With an unwavering commitment to success, he tackles complex challenges and pushes boundaries.
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife “Best Overall Student” with a CGPA of 4.89 for the 2018/2019 academic year is a technology and social responsibility student by helping global technology companies develop comprehensive applications. bridging the gap between His dedication to collaborative development led to his current role as a senior software engineer at SuperTokens, an open source authentication and user management platform.
At SuperTokens, Mr. Ohaneku leverages his expertise to create robust open source frameworks that millions of developers around the world rely on to build secure, scalable, and innovative applications. Masu. Prior to his current role, he worked as a software engineer at Appsmith, an open source, low-code application platform that simplifies custom application development for enterprises. In this interview, he opens up about his journey, experiences, insights into the power of open source contributions, and why he’s helping to create a more inclusive digital environment.
You are a self-motivated and passionate technology enthusiast who is revolutionizing the technology industry through your tireless efforts in open source contributions. Please tell us about your approach to software engineering.
I believe technology should benefit everyone, regardless of background or ability. My journey into software engineering has been quite an adventure. It all started during my sophomore year of college, where I took my first computer science course, CSE 201. That’s when I discovered software engineering. The huge potential to identify and solve problems by building software solutions ignited a spark within me. It was as if I had found my true calling. As a beginner, I often relied on the great work of others through open source products. I was amazed at the number and quality of free tools developed by passionate people around the world. It was amazing how easy it was to integrate these tools into my projects. More importantly, I loved the sense of community and collaboration that open source brings.
What is open source? How would you explain it to a 12-year-old?
Imagine you and your friends love building Lego sets. You usually follow the set instructions, but what if you could share your LEGO designs with the world, and they could share their designs with you? Open source is similar, but LEGO Software is used instead of blocks. When someone creates software (such as a game or an app), they can choose to share instructions on how to create it with everyone. These instructions are called source code. When software is open source, anyone can see, use, modify, and even share the source code with others. If you find an open source game and think it would be even better with dragons, you can add dragons. You can also change them if you want faster or better graphics. You can then share the improved version with your friends, who can use it and make any changes they want. The best part is that when everyone shares their ideas and improvements, the software improves and everyone benefits. It’s like a giant worldwide Lego construction team, where everyone collaborates with each other to create the best sets ever.
You’ve dedicated your career to open source projects. What drives this passion?
I have benefited from open source tools and resources developed by others. Dedicating my career to open source projects is my way of giving back to the community that has given me so much. A cycle of contribution and appreciation keeps the ecosystem thriving.
You have achieved an amazing milestone in your career. Can you tell us about a pivotal moment you experienced?
A pivotal moment in my career happened while working at Appsmith. There, we noticed a significant improvement in editor performance that could impact the overall user experience. We decided to take on this challenge because we want to enhance the tools that our users rely on. We explored Appsmith’s source code, analyzed the existing implementation, and identified areas where performance bottlenecks were occurring. After extensive testing and experimenting with various optimization techniques, we have developed a solution that significantly improves the editor’s performance. This experience was transformative. It wasn’t just about solving performance problems. It was about realizing my ability to influence big projects. Since then, I have continued to contribute to various projects, collaborate with talented developers, and even started working on open source. My experience at Appsmith taught me the importance of perseverance, community support, and the impact you can make through dedicated contributions.
In your experience, how does participating in open source projects benefit developers and the broader technology ecosystem?
There are many benefits to participating in open source projects. Developers gain valuable skills by using advanced technology, learning different coding techniques, and solving complex problems. Their contributions serve as a strong portfolio of real-world experience. For the technology ecosystem, open source software promotes transparency and security by allowing anyone to review and improve code, leading to faster bug fixes and higher quality software. We reduce costs for businesses and individuals by providing free alternatives to proprietary software, promoting interoperability, and setting industry standards.
What challenges do Nigerian engineers face when contributing to open source projects?
Nigerian engineers often encounter several challenges when participating in open source projects. Your access to resources such as high-speed internet or reliable electricity may be limited, which may impede your ability to fully participate in online communities or access necessary repositories. Infrastructure for software development, such as modern computers and software tools, is also less available than in more developed regions. Despite these challenges, Nigerian engineers are showing resilience and creativity to contribute to open source efforts.
What strategies can help you deal with and overcome challenges?
Investing in education and skills development through partnerships with educational institutions and industry players will help close the skills and resource gap among Nigerian engineers. Promoting diversity and inclusion within the global open source community is essential. Initiatives such as mentorship programs aimed at underrepresented groups can provide support and guidance and foster a sense of belonging and recognition of contribution. It is important to advocate for institutional support from government agencies, educational institutions, and businesses. This support may include policies and initiatives that encourage open source participation and provide organizational support to engineers.
What advice would you give to young developers or developers contributing to open source projects for the first time?
For junior developers or those new to contributing to open source projects, we recommend starting by exploring projects that really interest you. Look for projects that match your skills and passions. This makes the learning process more enjoyable. Start by familiarizing yourself with the project’s documentation, guidelines, and contribution process. It’s essential to understand how contributions are managed, including version control systems like Git and issue tracking systems. Don’t be afraid to start small. In your project’s tracker, look for tasks labeled Beginner Problems or “Good First Problems.” These tasks help beginners become familiar with the codebase and development workflow. If you’re ready to contribute, whether it’s fixing bugs, adding features, or improving documentation, please communicate openly with the project maintainers. Ask questions when necessary, seek clarification, and be open to feedback. Remember, open source is more than just writing code. It’s also important to collaborate with others, review, test, document your code, and address user feedback.
What trends do you foresee in the open source software space in the future?
One of the most notable changes is the increased adoption of open source solutions by enterprises across various sectors. Organizations are increasingly recognizing the benefits of flexibility, cost efficiency, and community-driven innovation that open source software provides. Innovation in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) will continue to accelerate, and open source frameworks and tools for these areas will proliferate. development.
