#TEFALUMNICORNER: Keghtor, a Tech Savvy Entrepreneur and Digital Facilitator
Change is definitely a constant factor in the everyday lives of people and in our society at large. Learning, in today's changing world is as important as the food we eat for our survival. And as we have it, it has taken a much more contemporary form, far from the traditional models of what it used to be. This is the internet age and with some computer knowledge, you can learn just anything and everything.
Today on TEF Alumni Corner, we speak to one of our entrepreneurs in Nigeria, Keghtor Tyokase, who has seen the importance of computer literacy among growing school kids and has made it a personal goal to teach as many kids as possible, about basic computer skills.
Q: Can you tell us about your business?
A: The name of my business is “Jack Mkeghtor ICT Business World”. We train students to learn computer basic skills, giving them both home and school training classes to enable them come to speed with the education requirements of the 21st century.
Q: What inspired your business and how old is it now?
A: The business is 3 years old now. I got inspired to go into the business of teaching students the knowledge required to use a computer when I realized that at least 10 students in every class of 20 students and above in various schools, have not seen or operated a computer before, so seeing that most examinations now involve the use of computers, I decided to get myself ready for that task.
Q: When did you become a Tony Elumelu Entrepreneur and how has it helped your business?
A: I became a TEF entrepreneur on the 10th of December 2021. And it has helped me a lot. The funds given to me helped me buy more computers, handle running cost and pay staffs who assist me in running the business
Q: After training and mentorship from the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, how has your operational model changed?
A: The training and mentorship gave practically much knowledge as an entrepreneur but I would like to highlight a few. It gave me the zeal to never give up, also helped me to find opportunities around me even when its feels like there is none and also taught me how to win a competitive market.
Q: How many steps ahead would you say the TEF seed funding helped you get to?
A: Let’s say I was 1 step forward initially, with the TEF seed capital, I have gone an extra 6 steps ahead. If not for the fact that things have gone so high in prices, I would have covered unimaginably far areas with the TEF seed capital.
Q: What are some of the challenges you face as an Entrepreneur in your operational environment?
A: As for challenges, it’s our competitors. Our business also has a very large market but the challenges with the poor network providers and the current high running costs of the business and general cost of living affects our clients thereby making willingness of clients and the process of enrolment very slow. Also, expansion to other strategic areas is becoming difficult due to the high cost of living in the country.
Q: What are some of the solutions you might suggest to help solve these challenges?
A: As for the area of clients’ payments, we are suggesting payment by instalments, and as for expanding to strategic areas we just need funds to do that if we can get it. But if we can’t get it now, we will have to use our savings when it matures with time.
Q: As you know, the core of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme is to promote Africapitalism, how has your business been able to make an impact in that light?
A: we have been able to employ some good number of instructors who help in running the business and we are also training candidates not just to pass examinations but to be self-employed as well. I believe this continues to highlight the importance of the private sector in developing our country.
Author: Derek Nwankwo
