Beyond the Code: A Conversation with Dr. Ben Benjamin at Axia Tech Talks
At the heart of innovation is a story — a human story. The inaugural edition of Axia Tech Talks opened with just that: a deeply personal, insightful, and inspiring conversation between host Nnamdi Ibe and special guest Dr. Ben Benjamin, a seasoned cybersecurity researcher at LIG Laboratory, Grenoble Alpes University in France.
But for many in the room, Dr. Benjamin was more than a visiting expert — he was a foundational figure. “He introduced us to machine learning, zeros and ones, embedded systems, and problem-solving through code,” Nnamdi reflected. “He cultured our approach to technology before we even knew what was possible.”
From Photocopiers to Firewalls: A Journey Born from a Detour
Dr. Benjamin’s foray into tech wasn’t born of design but of disruption. Aspiring initially to become a civil engineer like his father, his academic journey was derailed due to socio-political interference. “It was a negative outcome,” he explained, “but we managed it positively. My mom bought a diploma form for me, and I started computer science by accident.”
That detour would become destiny. Within a year, he was outpacing lecturers and getting paid for software projects while still a student.
Code, Cracked Software, and Carrying a Desktop to Class
With candid honesty, Dr. Benjamin detailed the challenges of breaking into tech in early-2000s Nigeria: from hauling a Pentium II desktop to school to writing code on obsolete machines. “I’d carry my CPU in one hand and my bag in the other,” he recalled. “It was like carrying a laptop, only 10 times heavier.”
Resources were limited, cracked software was the norm, and acceptance of local tech talent was rare. Yet through it all, his hunger to learn and build remained unshaken.
Certifications vs. Skill: What Really Matters?
In a world increasingly obsessed with credentials, Dr. Benjamin offered refreshing clarity: “Certifications open the door, but skills keep you in the room.” He shared how, despite earning multiple global certifications — Cisco, Microsoft — it was his hands-on ability to build solutions that earned him roles, clients, and influence. “I’ve never gotten a job because I applied. People find me because of what I can do.”
Staying Relevant in a Fast-Paced Tech Landscape
With the explosive rise of AI and other disruptive technologies, many young professionals feel overwhelmed. Dr. Benjamin’s advice was simple and liberating: “Don’t chase the trend. Chase the problem.”
He emphasized that while tools and frameworks change, foundational knowledge — like programming in C or understanding systems architecture — remains vital. “AI isn’t new. We were already working on it in 2001. It’s just now commercialized and on steroids.”
The Projects That Made a Mark
Among the projects that Dr. Benjamin holds dear is the student registration and payment portal he built for the University of Jos — while he was still enrolled as a student. “Thousands used it without knowing who built it,” he said with a smile. Another standout was an automated transcript generation system that used OCR to convert printed results into digital transcripts — a feat HP engineers themselves had thought impossible.
Deep Focus, Real Passion
What makes Dr. Benjamin’s story compelling isn’t just the technical feats — it’s the humility and relentless curiosity behind them. From programming drivers in assembly language to analyzing terabytes of global cybersecurity data, his message to aspiring tech professionals was clear:
“Find your niche, go deep, and stay there.”
In a world obsessed with speed, his was a call to mastery.
Axia Tech Talks exists to create platforms for deep conversations, mentorship, and the exchange of real-world insights — and this first edition delivered just that. With Dr. Ben Benjamin’s journey as a guide, attendees walked away not just with knowledge, but with permission to build, fail, try again — and never stop learning.