Meet the Nigerian app history maker

Weekly Trust: Can you tell us a little about yourself? Nana Fatima Ogunfemi: My name is Nana Fatimah Ogunfemi. I was born in Zaria, Kaduna State. I live in London, England. I come from a large family. Growing up in the North was a thoroughly enjoyable experience for me. I came to the UK when […]

Weekly Trust: Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Nana Fatima Ogunfemi: My name is Nana Fatimah Ogunfemi. I was born in Zaria, Kaduna State. I live in London, England. I come from a large family. Growing up in the North was a thoroughly enjoyable experience for me. I came to the UK when I married 11 years ago.
You just developed a phone app.  Tell us your story prior to getting involved with apps development?
Before getting into to apps development and creating my ‘Kinship’ app, I worked in the NHS. I started as a GP Practice Receptionist and worked my way to becoming a Practice Manager. After having my second child, I went through a difficult time. I realised that going back to my former job would not be easy with the hours involved. I was now looking for a job that would give me flexible hours as well as a good enough pay while I focused on raising my two children. My auntie sent me her iPad when she bought the latest model. I simply loved the tablet. This love led me to iPhones and after browsing the apps store and researching online, I found out that anybody could become a developer. If you weren’t ‘techy,’ you could hire a tech team. The next thing was having a good idea. While going through my difficult patch, I began realising just how easy people lost touch in difficult situations when they shouldn’t. When going through stuff and are depressed, it is not a time to be on your own. Good and steady communication is vital; it is also easy to be forgotten by people as everyone is so busy. This can be detrimental to your being able to get back on your feet. To help me build a solid basis for my company, I did a business course which walked me step by step through everything I should do as a start-up. My company Techsis, was registered by the day I finished that course and I had already also found and engaged my tech team.
What was the inspiration behind your apps development?
I have always loved technology while growing up. I am in awe of it, mobile technology especially. I just had to be a part of the wonderful progress taking place. Once I got that Apple product in my hand, I was sold on getting involved with mobile tech.
There are various apps out there already, what distinguishes yours from the rest?
My app comes from a place of love, unity and community. I intend to carve a niche for myself making apps that families, communities and friends will need to build and maintain good strong relationships. I am not talking about social media like Twitter, Facebook. I am talking about getting you to the point where distance, busy schedules and life won’t get in the way of the things that really matter to us, our loved ones.
Who are your app users? Who are they meant for?
My product will appeal to someone who values relationships with people and would like to make contact more regularly with a view to building or maintaining the relationship. It will also serve those responsible for vulnerable people with busy schedules to help them get reassuring updates via the app. So, my main market is anyone with a smart phone (currently only iPhones) a typical customer would be the main carer of any family unit.
Before this, did you have any coding experience or training?
I can’t code. However, I am still wondering if I should get some coding experience. My development team and I are a fantastic fit. They also have years of expertise that’s not easy to accumulate. I don’t think it’s necessary anymore for me to have coding experience.
Could you shed light on what the app is about?
‘Kinship’ is the world’s first social awareness app. ‘Kinship’ is the only social awareness app which tracks your closest people and alerts you when they go quiet. It has a dynamic activity dial based on Kinship usage, Facebook usage and manual updates. You can create multiple circles for your closest groups. You will get notified when people need your attention, see where people were last going and with whom.
Did you in anyway feel intimidated in the process of building this app?
I did feel intimidated, I was very nervous about going into apps development. I had very little knowledge of how things worked in apps development, there was a lot to find out and research. So, I thought I should stick to something easier for me like baking. So, developing apps had actually been my plan B. I inherited baking skills from my mum, she is a fabulous baker. I was going to start a baking business as I felt I had reached the point where it could be more than just a hobby. This was my plan A.  On the day the business course started, by the time I was to introduce myself and my idea, about eight people had all said they were into baking and wanted to start a bakery etc. I decided I wasn’t opening my mouth to add one more apron in the mix. When it was my turn I said I wanted to develop an app and that was it. You could say the decision was made for me waiyadhubillah!
What is the major challenge you faced while developing the app? And what were your favorite parts of the whole process?
I didn’t have any money and raising the finance was tough and there were times I felt I should just pack it all in. My development team at Locassa were solidly behind me working on the app and I just couldn’t give up. By the time former Dragon Doug Richard gave me more funding, I knew the worst was over. My favourite part was definitely the creative meetings with Locassa and watching my brief come alive in the building of the app.
As a Muslim woman, what were some of the hurdles you faced in the whole process?
I live in the UK, I am black, Nigerian, female and a Muslim, ah. You feel somehow you have to put in that much more effort to succeed because of other responsibilities, like my children and their needs which had to come first. There are also the stereotypes which can be annoying. I just acted as if all these didn’t exist and knew that I could on the basis of my idea, commitment and drive get to a favourable outcome. Allah be praised.
So far, has the app gotten the necessary support from the big players in the industry?
Well, the support is yet to be seen as the app should be out in the apps store any day now. However, top industry people in mobile tech are hailing it as a first in the history of technology.
What are some of the best responses you have got from users of your app?
My business mentor and fellow app developer, Chris Ciko, thinks it’s a fantastic idea. Simon Lee of Locassa said its more than an app, he believes this hasn’t been done before and it can only get better. Doug Richard said I am on to something.
How would you measure the success of the app?
This is yet to be done but it will be through the number of downloads, engagements and feedback.
On what platforms is the app available?
The app will be available only on Apple iPhones via the apps store, but I am fund-raising to get it on to the Android platform soon. Kinship app will be available in the apps store within 24 hours or less. It was approved as ready for sale on Thursday.
How much investment did you put into developing this app?
In figures we are reaching about £25,000.
Did you partner with anybody and how long did it take you to develop this app?
I have partnered with my friend Aisha and my uncle, but they are silent partners. As most start-ups with little or no cash, you do everything yourself and so I have tweeted, posted, blogged, pinched myself all the way to this point.
We have seen many apps come and go after a few years. What have you put in place to make sure yours stays on?
I went for the heart, the gut feeling and instincts we all have as human beings. I took conscience and married it with mobile tech.  Kinship  will inshaa Allah, be around for a long while.
What recommendations or advice do you have for people who want to create their own apps?
It’s difficult but if you have a great idea, don’t give up.
After this, what is next for you?
I have two other apps waiting to go into development, and I can’t wait to start inshaa Allah.
Most successful people have obstacles to overcome. How would you describe your journey to success?
I wouldn’t say I was successful yet, but if at all there was any obstacle it was largely me. I was afraid of failing. By the time I resolved to try my best and leave the rest for Allah, I began to have fun. Even when I hadn’t got a single penny, I talked as if I had and had spent thousands already towards the development. I dreamed it, believed it and now it’s happening.
Lastly, how do Nigerians stand to benefit from this app locally and internationally?
Nigerians here get up to all sorts, I am clawing back some ground for all of us up-starting ones who work hard for what we have. Secondly, the village where my parents were born still has no safe drinking water. I am starting from there insha Allah.