Lash Artist Turned Software Engineer: Benson Yila’s Story

When I left Benue for Lagos, I carried only a sack bag and a dream of a better life. My story up until that point had been one of survival and a relentless search for purpose. I was ready to do anything as long as it paid, constantly placing myself out there.

Opportunity finds you if you keep showing up, and after a series of odd jobs, I began working with a beauty business as a lash artist. One day, while providing a home service to a client, I overheard some boys discussing their lives as software engineers. Their passion and the substantial earnings they mentioned immediately caught my attention. I left that job and called my friend Richards Akaabiam, who always seemed to know about trending job fields. He laughed when I asked about software engineering and told me he was already enrolled in a program at Semicolon. We agreed that he would keep me updated on his progress.

When Richards told me how difficult the program was, I was more determined than ever to join. “Nothing good comes easy,” I thought. Little did I know what I was walking into. Everything seemed manageable until we started Java. Seeing something as simple as “Hello, World” on the screen for the first time was both thrilling and terrifying. With my background in business administration and no technical experience, I felt completely out of my depth.

But I wasn’t alone. The Semicolon community became my lifeline. Friends, classmates, and even students from earlier cohorts offered support. Richards, who was two cohorts ahead of me, became my first mentor. I also discovered that assignments were my secret weapon. While others complained, I embraced them, finding that the more I practiced, the better I understood. It became a personal challenge — if I couldn’t answer a question in class, I would push myself until I could.

At one point, I was so committed that I started sleeping in my car instead of going home, just so I could study more in the Semicolon building. Gradually, I gained confidence. Though the journey was tough, I realized it was also doable. Along the way, I noticed changes in myself. I had never been particularly social, but the Semicolon community brought out a side of me I didn’t know existed. Strangers became family, and together, we navigated the highs and lows, from learning and struggling to projects and events.

Shortly after our project demo period, I landed an internship with a tech innovation company. My hard work paid off, and I was retained at the end of my internship. I might not know exactly what the future holds, but I’m certain of one thing: I have a seat among those who will make a difference in the world with tech.

If Benson could, so can you. Visit apply.semicolon.africa to begin your journey.