The Nigerian tech community witnessed another milestone as DevFest Lagos 2025 unfolded across five action-packed days from November 18 to November 22. Organized by Google Developer Groups (GDG), the event transformed into a melting pot of innovation, bringing together software engineers, product designers, AI enthusiasts, cloud experts, founders, and beginners in technology.
A New Venue and Evolving Strategy
This year marked a significant departure from tradition as DevFest Lagos moved from its usual Landmark Event Centre in Victoria Island to the iconic National Theatre. The venue shift represented one of the first major tech gatherings to activate this cultural landmark, signaling a new chapter for the event.
Sodiq Akinjobi, one of the organizers, explained the experimental approach. "We're listening to the market and we're experimenting," he shared. "Every venue has its own advantages and disadvantages. We're taking feedback, and that will determine where next year's event will be."
Economic Realities Reshape Event Experience
Attendees noticed changes in the ticketing structure and amenities. Unlike previous editions where free food and drinks flowed generously, this year's ₦7,000 per-day ticket primarily covered water and beverages. Akinjobi provided context for this shift, revealing that the actual cost of hosting one attendee reached approximately ₦35,000 per day.
The economic challenges forced organizers to rethink their approach, with many attendees benefiting from discount codes that reduced tickets to as low as ₦700, ₦350, or ₦1,500. Akinjobi also disclosed that DevFest was historically free, but issues with no-shows and ticket reselling necessitated the introduction of fees.
Five Days of Intensive Learning
The festival offered comprehensive coverage across multiple tech domains through breakout sessions, hands-on workshops, and panel discussions. Key areas included Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Software Engineering, Product Design, Technical Writing, Web Development, Mobile Engineering, and Community Leadership.
Notable speakers brought diverse perspectives from various sectors of the industry. Odunayo Eweniyi, Co-founder of PiggyVest, emphasized the challenges of scaling technology in Africa during her session "Scaling Technology for Africa's Next Growth Phase."
She highlighted critical constraints including poor infrastructure, low digital trust, high data costs, and regulatory hurdles that slow innovation. "Scaling in Africa requires cultural fluency, not just technical talent," she asserted, delivering a crucial message for aspiring founders.
AI and Developer Insights
Chaka Ofili, Google Developer Expert in Cloud, delivered a powerful keynote emphasizing artificial intelligence's role as an enhancement tool. "Use AI as a force multiplier, not replacement," he advised, addressing concerns about AI displacing developers.
Olamide Balogun, Director at Google West Africa, reinforced the evolving nature of tech skills. "Coding isn't enough. We've moved past the era of learning to code; we're now in the era of coding to solve," she declared, highlighting problem-solving as the core competency in today's tech landscape.
Community Reflection and Social Consciousness
The event also provided moments of sober reflection. Bernard Parah, CEO and Co-founder of Bitnob, began his session by calling for a moment of silence for victims of recent kidnappings and violence in Nigeria. This gesture reminded attendees that technological advancement occurs within a broader social context where real people face significant challenges.
Feedback from participants like Arafat, a Data Scientist and Machine Learning Engineer, captured the event's impact. He reported learning extensively about building safe, secure, and scalable solutions, leaving the event feeling super inspired.
The final day maintained high energy levels, blending AI discussions, cloud engineering sessions, design talks, and startup insights. The after-party provided a fitting conclusion with music, crowd energy, and vibrant atmosphere wrapping up the intensive learning experience.
DevFest Lagos continues to stand as a pillar in Nigeria's tech ecosystem, distinguished by its community-organized, community-led approach. It remains one of the few major tech events accessible across all skill levels, from professionals to beginners to tech aspirants.
Despite economic pressures, the event maintained its position as one of Nigeria's most reachable tech learning experiences. The 2025 edition demonstrated a community evolving, adapting, and pushing forward through venue experiments, ticketing adjustments, and diverse session offerings.
For many attendees and observers, DevFest Lagos 2025 transcended being just another tech conference. It served as a convergence point for ideas, collaboration, and honest dialogue about Nigeria's tech future, reinforcing why the community remains one of Africa's most dynamic and promising.
