My First Weeks at Web3Bridge: A Journey into Blockchain and Beyond

As I sit down to reflect on my first few weeks at Web3Bridge, Cohort XIII, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement, curiosity, and gratitude for the whirlwind of experiences that have already shaped my journey. Joining Web3Bridge, a program renowned for transforming novices into skilled blockchain developers, has been nothing short of transformative. From the warm welcome during orientation to the deep dive into blockchain technology, the supportive community in my room, Avalanche with senior men dev. like Chidera from Imo, Udochukwu from Enugu, Yusuf-crypto, Precious, Gafar, Abdusalam and Rust students Jamiu, Kenny Chetor among ors and the bonds forming with my Cohort XIII classmates, these weeks have been a remarkable blend of learning, connection, and personal growth. Here’s a glimpse into my journey so far, the knowledge I’ve gained, the friendships I’ve forged, and the goals I’m setting for the next 16 weeks.

A Warm Welcome and a Vision for Growth

My Web3Bridge journey began with an orientation led by Mrs. Ebunoluwa Awosika, whose calm yet firm demeanor set the tone for what was to come. She outlined the program’s rules and regulations, which struck me as fair and designed to foster discipline and focus qualities I’m already finding essential in this fast-paced field. The next day, the opening ceremony brought an inspiring moment when Mr. Ayodeji Awosika, the “Chief Mechanic” and founder of Web3Bridge, welcomed us. His passion for creating a platform that not only trains developers but also molds better individuals resonated deeply. He emphasized that over the next 16 weeks, we’d learn more than just coding as we’d develop skills in time management, financial literacy, and working under pressure. His bold promise that we’d deploy 50 smart contracts to our repositories by the program’s end felt both daunting and exhilarating.The ceremony wasn’t just about motivation; it was a window into the opportunities awaiting us. Representatives from Lisk, Santiago and Chidubem (Bems), shared insights into the endless possibilities within the Lisk ecosystem, sparking my curiosity about how I could contribute to it. Mr. Victor Adeleye, another speaker, urged us to stay focused, hone our communication skills, and embrace problem-solving skills a reminder that technical prowess alone isn’t enough in this space. These words have stayed with me, shaping how I approach both my studies and interactions.

Diving into Blockchain with Mentor Big Man Frank with Tests, Assignments, and Presentation.

The first week of technical learning was a deep dive into the world of blockchain, led by our mentor, Franklin Ejezie PKA Big Man Frank. His enthusiasm for the subject was contagious as he introduced us to distributed ledgers, the inner workings of Bitcoin and Ethereum, and their respective whitepapers. We explored consensus mechanisms, smart contracts, decentralized applications (DApps), and DeFi, unpacking complex concepts with clarity. I was particularly fascinated by the explanation of gas fees and how private and public keys are used to generate Ethereum addresses. The hands-on experience of running my first Ethereum light node on Geth was a highlight a moment where theory met practice, and I felt like I was truly stepping into the blockchain world. These lessons weren’t just technical; they were a reminder of the responsibility developers carry in building secure, decentralized systems. The pace is intense, with tests at the start and end of every lesson to keep us on our toes, plus assignments that push us to apply what we’ve learned. One highlight was a presentation on cryptography, where my classmates and I broke down how private and public keys work. Preparing for it was a mix of stress and fun late nights studying and debating concepts with my Cohort XIII classmates and Avalanche roommates, scribbling diagrams, and laughing over our initial confusion. Presenting together felt like a win, not just for nailing the content but for bonding as a team as we were all able to learn from one another deriving ideas and teaching and impacting one another.

Goals and Challenges Ahead

As I look toward the next 16 weeks, my goals are clear. First, I want to master the technical skills needed to confidently develop and deploy smart contracts 50 to be precise, as Mr. Ayodeji promised! I’m particularly excited about building DApps and exploring DeFi protocols, as these areas feel like the frontier of innovation in blockchain. Beyond technical skills, I aim to refine my ability to work under pressure and communicate complex ideas clearly, as these will be crucial in my career. One challenge I anticipate is keeping up with the program’s intensity. The pace is fast, and the concepts are complex, but I’m learning to embrace the discomfort as part of growth. Another challenge is tackling real-world problems through blockchain. I’m particularly interested in exploring how blockchain can address issues like financial inclusion or data privacy, transparency, accountability, infrastructural woes in Africa, social, economic and community justice issues in Africa and I hope to work on projects that align with these goals by the program’s end.

Looking Forward

My first weeks at Web3Bridge have been a whirlwind of learning, connection, and self-discovery. From the inspiring words of Mrs. Ebunoluwa, Mr. Ayodeji, and Mr. Victor to the technical deep dives with Big Man Frank, I’m already seeing the world of blockchain and my place in it more clearly. The friendships I’ve formed in Room Avalanche and Cohort XIII have made this journey feel less like a solo endeavor and more like a shared adventure. As I move forward, I’m excited to tackle the challenges ahead, deploy those 50 smart contracts, and contribute to the blockchain ecosystem in meaningful ways. Web3Bridge isn’t just teaching me to code it’s teaching me to think, connect, and grow. And for that, I’m incredibly grateful. I owe so much to Mr. Ayodeji Awosika and his incredible team for building Web3Bridge and giving us this chance to grow, learn, and let’s be real eat well while we’re at it. Their vision is turning dreamers like me into doers, and I’m beyond grateful for it. As I look ahead, I’m buzzing with excitement about mastering blockchain, building meaningful projects, and growing alongside my Avalanche crew and Cohort XIII family. Web3Bridge isn’t just a program it’s a launchpad for who I want to become. Here’s to the next 16 weeks and all the code, connections, and challenges they’ll bring!