Ruth Ikegah's life took a dramatic turn in April 2021 when she landed a technical writing job that paid $5,000 a month, a far cry from her previous one-off management gig that earned her ₦70,000 ($170). This sudden change in fortunes marked the beginning of her journey as a leading advocate for African participation in open source initiatives.

Ikegah's early life was marked by sadness and self-doubt, growing up in a broken home with separated parents and a stepmother whose discipline bordered on cruelty. However, her experiences in boarding school and undergraduate studies at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) instilled in her a sense of self-reinvention and a desire to dream bigger.

It was during her undergraduate studies that Ikegah discovered her interest in tech, particularly data analysis with Python. She spent countless hours at a Rivers State digital hub, a state government initiative for tech literacy, where she took tutorials on platforms like DataCamp and DevCareer. Her involvement in tech communities like She Code Africa and volunteering for open source projects, including those by Linux, accelerated her learning and provided opportunities to develop her resume without traditional work experience.

Ikegah's big break came when she became the first African woman to win a GitHub Star award, recognition that brought both job and speaking opportunities her way. She landed a technical writing role at U.S.-based Animalz, earning a monthly salary of $5,000. Although the role was demanding, Ikegah saved over $10,000 and gained the confidence to redefine her career.

After leaving Animalz, Ikegah transitioned into open source programme management full-time, supporting developers through documentation and community management. Despite facing barriers to landing a full-time role, she continued to volunteer, positioning herself as a thought leader in promoting inclusivity and diversity in open source.

Ikegah's advocacy work has been instrumental in increasing African participation in open source initiatives. Her efforts in the CHAOSS Project under the Linux Foundation have been particularly notable, helping to increase African participation and conducting diversity and inclusion audits. She has also launched an accelerator program aimed at fostering the creation of Africa-led open source products and consults for African companies who want to monetise open source software.

Today, Ikegah's work has taken her to 14 countries, and she has become a sought-after speaker and mentor. Her story serves as a testament to the power of self-reinvention and the importance of promoting diversity and inclusivity in the tech industry.

Ikegah's journey is a shining example of how African developers can make a meaningful impact in the global tech community. Her advocacy work has paved the way for others to follow in her footsteps, and her story is a reminder that success belongs to those bold enough to rewrite the rules.