In a triumphant display of ingenuity, three OAU Students, Inuoluwadunsimi Daniel Ola-Oladeinde, popularly known as ‘The Oracle’, a 200L student of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, alongside his teammates Hamzat Victor, a 300L Mechanical Engineering student, and Atayero Ayomide, a 200L Microbiology student, emerged as the winning team in Squad’s groundbreaking ‘Take-On-Squad Hackathon 1.0’. The event, organized by Squad, a product of HabariPay Limited, a subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company, aimed to harness tech talent and creativity in shaping innovative solutions.
READ ALSO: ESAN Holds Inter-Departmental Debate For Fresh Students
The journey to their victory began with an unexpected source – a promotional email from GTBank. While many promotional emails go unopened, Inuoluwadunsimi seized the opportunity presented by the Take-On-Squad Hackathon. Intrigued, he rallied his two friends, Hamzat Victor and Atayero Ayomide, both OAU Students, to form a team, leveraging their collective skills.
Contrary to exclusivity, the Hackathon proved to be an open field, welcoming participants from various backgrounds. In an interview with ACJOAU, Inuoluwadunsimi revealed that according to Squad, the competition saw a staggering 200 applications, emphasizing the inclusive nature of the event.
He recounted the hackathon experience as ‘amazing’, citing the well-designed venue in Abeokuta, delightful meals, and invaluable mentorship. Although the event lasted from Thursday, 18th January, through Saturday, 20th January, when the winners were announced, Inuoluwadunsimi noted that he spent about 32 hours, alongside his teammates, to build their project. The 32-hour coding marathon, which included an intense 26+ hours without sleep, culminated in developing a solution to alleviate the challenges faced by community managers, particularly in educational settings.
Navigating Challenges and Innovation with Squad APIs
Despite encountering a critical issue just hours before the presentation, Inuoluwadunsimi’s team overcame obstacles, highlighting the resilience and problem-solving skills required in the tech space. Their project utilized Squad’s cutting-edge APIs, specifically the payment link feature and transfer API, showcasing the versatility of Squad’s solutions.
The winning team secured a total prize money of two million five hundred thousand Naira. While specific plans for the prize money remain undisclosed, Inuoluwadunsimi hinted at strategic utilization for future projects. According to him, the team is diligently working towards the public launch of their application on app stores.
Tech Community Leadership at OAU
When asked about his involvement in OAU’s tech community, Inuoluwadunsimi revealed he is the current lead for Localhost OAU, a community of DevOps and Cloud Engineers, where he plays a pivotal role in ensuring collaboration and knowledge-sharing. Additionally, his free tutorial on Python programming for CSC201 demonstrates a commitment to educational initiatives.
From Tech Novice to Tech Leader
Venturing into the tech space in December of 2021, Inuoluwadunsimi’s rapid growth is attributed to his participation in OAU’s tech community. Being the team lead in the hackathon drew on his experience as the lead for Localhost, showcasing the practical impact of community involvement.
READ ALSO: Students’ Union Takes Steps Against Late Evening Classes, Meets Deputy Vice-Chancellor
His advice to aspiring tech enthusiasts is succinct – ‘Just do it!’ Emphasizing the importance of early exposure to tech, he encourages students to engage with communities, building connections that can lead to opportunities in the real world.
Role of Educational Institutions in Tech Innovation
Reflecting on the role of educational institutions, Inuoluwadunsimi highlighted the significance of communities within universities. For him, opportunities and connections made during the university journey contribute significantly to personal and professional growth.
The trio’s success in the Take-On-Squad Hackathon not only exemplifies the prowess of OAU students in the tech space but also emphasizes the transformative potential of hackathons in shaping the future of digital economies in Africa. Their journey from discovering an email to leading a winning team is a testament to the limitless possibilities within the world of tech as they continue to journey through the intertwining spheres of innovation, leadership, and community building.