It's been a year since Devfest Bauchi unveiled its glory, and let me tell you, this year's edition was nothing short of amazing!

Picture this – lights, stage, cameras, music, an amazing photo backdrop from the building’s entrance, then a gathering of brilliant minds, passionate developers, tech professionals, enthusiasts and awesome speakers, coming together in the heart of Bauchi to celebrate innovation, collaboration, and the ever-evolving world of technology.

Sounds familiar right? Yes. That’s exactly what Devfest is about. Devfest is an annual gathering of tech professionals and enthusiasts within a region who come together to network, discuss and celebrate technology as it evolves. The responsibility of organizing this event is usually shouldered by the Google Developers Group (GDG) within that region; Bauchi in this case. As a Google Developer Student Club lead for my campus, I had the privilege of volunteering for this event.

Being a volunteer, I was able to contribute to various aspects of this program, from helping to set up the media equipment to ushering guests to their respective seats and collaborating with the media team to report the event on social media in real-time.

The event was anchored by one of our organizers Moturayo Alake Osupo. It kick-started at 9:00 AM and as attendees streamed into the venue, and got checked in at the registration booth, you could feel the palpable anticipation and excitement in the air.

One of the highlights of the event was the keynote address by Sir Abubakar Siddiq Ango, a Google Developer Expert (GDE) and developer advocate for Gitlab. His address set the tone for the day.

Renowned speakers like Ane Itodo, Awwal Dahiru, Samuel Makolo, Muhammad Kuliya, Nathaniel Handan, and Covenant Adebisi took the stage, sharing their insights on different technologies, the future of development, and the transformative power of open-source collaboration. The room was filled with an energy that can only be described as contagious – an energy that fueled the entire day.

Devfest Bauchi wasn't just about listening to speakers as we also had breakout workshops and interactive sessions which allowed attendees to dive deep into the latest trends and technologies. Ane Itodo and Mustafa Ango took a workshop on Product Management Essentials, Samuel Adesola on AI Pair Programming with Github Copilot, and Chioma Chukwu on how to use AI as an effective tool.

But it wasn't all serious business – Devfest Bauchi had its fair share of fun too. The event provided the perfect opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, share experiences, forge new friendships and take pictures. I, for one, made new friends and expanded my network.

As the sun set on Devfest Bauchi, the sense of community lingered in the air. Attendees left with a newfound sense of purpose, armed with knowledge, connections, and a renewed enthusiasm for the limitless possibilities that technology holds.

I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of such a well-organized and impactful event. Volunteering at Devfest Bauchi 2023 has not only enriched my understanding of the tech industry but has also allowed me to contribute to the growth and development of our local tech community.

Until next year, Bauchi – keep innovating, keep inspiring, and keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible! Khalas!