By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
QUIETLY RESHAPING West Africa’s digital world, Funke Opeke, founder of MainOne Cable Company and Main Street Technologies, has shown what leadership and determination can achieve, building one of the region’s most influential technology firms and making the internet more accessible to millions.
Born in Ile-Oluji, Ondo State in 1961 and raised in Ibadan, Oyo State, Opeke grew up in a bustling household of nine children.
Her father, the first Nigerian Director of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, and her mother, a teacher, instilled in her a love for learning and public service.
She went on to attend Queen’s School, Ibadan, before earning a degree in Electrical Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, and a Master’s at Columbia University, New York.
Opeke built an impressive career in the United States before returning home, rising to Executive Director at Verizon Communications in New York. Back in Nigeria, she became Chief Technical Officer at MTN, helped expand networks, briefly served as Chief Operating Officer at NITEL, and advised Transcorp.
In 2008, she founded MainOne with a clear goal: to improve internet access in Nigeria and the wider West African region.
Her leadership turned the company into a vital force for digital growth, eventually leading to its acquisition by Equinix for US $320 million in 2021.
Opeke stayed on during the transition and stepped down as CEO in November 2024.
Her influence extends beyond infrastructure. Opeke is celebrated as a trailblazer for women in engineering and technology, proving that skill, vision, and perseverance can break barriers.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that till date, Opeke remains an inspiration to young women across Africa, showing that ambition and professionalism can reshape industries while making life better for communities.
