Ruth Agbaji

When Ruth Agbaji was faced with impossible odds, she didn’t wait for the perfect solution — she started with what she had. In this talk, she shares how thinking like a coder helped her go from running for her life in Nigeria to building a tech career, launching a business, and empowering over 10,000 kids to code. Her mindset shift offers a powerful new way to approach problems — and create your own opportunities.

Ruth Agbaji is a technologist, entrepreneur, and founder of Ruth Agbaji Consulting, where she helps small businesses use AI to create new opportunities, overcome challenges, and grow sustainably — starting with what they have. Drawing from her own journey of thinking like a coder and building a future against the odds, Ruth equips entrepreneurs with practical tools to launch, scale, and thrive in an increasingly technology-driven world. Born and raised in Nigeria, Ruth taught herself to code amidst challenging circumstances, determined to create a better future. Her journey led her to the United States, where she earned a master’s degree in computer science, worked at Microsoft, and discovered her passion for entrepreneurship. She later founded Code Wiz, a children’s coding company that grew to over 40 locations across the U.S., inspiring thousands of young learners to explore STEM. Ruth’s work has been featured in Forbes and Entrepreneur, and her story highlights the power of resilience, creativity, and courage.