OyaMakeWeGroove 9: Then vs Now

Nine years.

From 2017 till date, OyaMakeWeGroove has quietly but consistently become one of the spaces that mirrors the growth of Nigeria’s tech ecosystem. In nine years, people have grown, ideas have scaled, companies have gone global—and the ecosystem itself has taken a beautiful new trajectory.

This 9th edition was not just another meetup; it was a moment to pause, reflect, and truly see how far we’ve come.

From Early Bets to Global Wins

Back in 2017, the African tech ecosystem was still fighting for global attention. Today, the narrative has shifted. Africa is now home to multiple unicorns—companies valued at over $1 billion—built by founders who once stood exactly where many early-stage founders stand today and interestingly, more than half of those companies are Nigerian. 

Companies like Paystack, founded by Shola Akinlade, were still in their formative years in 2017. Fast forward to now, Paystack’s acquisition by Stripe marked a defining moment not just for the company, but for the entire ecosystem.

The Ecosystem: Then vs Now

In 2017, the ecosystem was smaller, tighter, and still finding its voice.Today, it’s louder, bolder, and more confident. Founders are building global products. Funders are more active. Conversations have shifted from “Is this possible?” to “How fast can we scale this?”

OyaMakeWeGroove has grown right alongside this evolution but still remains a space where real connections are formed.

OyaMakeWeGroove 2017

OyaMakeWeGroove 2025

OyaMakeWeGroove9: Where Tech Meets Fun

As always, the 9th edition brought together founders, funders, operators, creatives, and everyone in between for a night that reminded us that tech people can and should have fun too.

There was laughter.There was networking.There were genuine conversations without the pressure of titles or deadlines.

Our Sponsors 

Our sponsors once again showed up and showed out with their love and support.

LemFi, Sporting Lagos, Zap by Paystack, CloudPlexo, Waza, Ubulu Africa, Verto FX, Moniepoint, Innox, Qucoon, DataMellon, BigCabal, Shekel Mobility, ntel, 21st Century Evolution, Venco, SuyaHQ, WeThinkAlike, Africa Fintech Foundry, Retaur and Trove.

We’re grateful for partners who understand the importance of community.

A Standout Moment: KCOB Connect 

One of the biggest highlights of the evening was the special singing performance by KCOB (Kings College Old Boys) Alumni present. 

The team, led by Oo Nwoye, Founder of techcircle delivered a rendition of Kings’ College song that caught everyone by surprise.

Missed It? Watch the Recap 

If you missed the December edition, you can watch the full recap here

Onward to the 10th Edition 

Nine years down. The next edition is coming sooooon!

OyaMakeWeGroove continues to be proof that when community is done right, growth becomes inevitable.

See you at the 10th edition. 

For sponsorship enquiries, please send an email to hello@techcircle.ng