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By Gilbert Ekezie
When Lucky Ekezie talks about design and technology, there’s a spark in his voice that feels less like a professional pitch and more like a boy describing his latest invention. That spark has been with him since childhood in Umuahia, Abia State, where scraps of wood, tin milk containers, and clay became the raw material for his earliest creations.
“I’ve always wanted to know how things are built,” he recalls. “If I could see it, I wanted to figure out how to do it—or maybe even do it better.”
That restless curiosity—part art, part problem-solving—has since guided a journey that spans childhood sketches, failed ventures, breakthrough designs, and an emerging voice in Africa’s tech and AI community.
•A Childhood of Curiosity*
Lucky’s first brush with recognition came in Primary 3 at World Bank Primary School, Umuahia. During a science lesson, when his teacher struggled to draw a human figure, a classmate suggested Lucky could do better. Chalk in hand, he drew with ease.
“That day stayed with me,” he says. “It wasn’t just about drawing. It was about realizing creativity could solve a problem.”
Art became his first language. He sketched for classmates, painted with watercolors, and built simple toys. When his family acquired a bulky Compaq Presario computer, curiosity expanded into the digital realm. Hours spent on Microsoft Paint and games like Age of Empires II sparked a new fascination—not just with what he could see on the screen, but with the invisible logic behind it.
“I started thinking about the people behind technology, and the problems they were solving,” he says.
•Choosing a Path•
When it came time for university, an uncle encouraged him to study architecture. But Lucky wanted something more fluid, more creative. A senior friend suggested Applied Arts.
In 2011, he gained admission to the University of Benin to study Applied Arts and Design, majoring in Graphic Design. The program became a sandbox of experimentation, allowing him to blend artistic skills with emerging digital tools.
By 2015, with a degree in hand, he moved to Lagos—Nigeria’s bustling tech and creative hub. “Lagos was loud, chaotic, competitive,” he says. “But it was also where opportunities lived.”
*From Graphics to Human-Centered Design*
His early career began in graphics—first at an investment bank, later in advertising agencies, where he rose to creative director. He designed billboards, campaigns, and brand identities. The work was fast-paced and exciting, but something felt incomplete.
“I didn’t just want to design posters or ads,” he explains. “I wanted to solve real human problems. I wanted to know how technology could improve lives.”
This search led him to UI/UX design, where his curiosity about people, systems, and creativity finally converged.
*Entrepreneurship and Lessons Learned*
Lucky’s first entrepreneurial experiment was Gianx, a design startup he founded to bring creative solutions to businesses. But despite promise, Gianx struggled with funding and other challenges, eventually shutting down.
“Failure was painful,” he admits. “But Gianx taught me resilience. It showed me that ideas need more than talent—they need structure, funding, and timing.”
The lessons came alive in his next major project: My Skool Tool, a school management platform founded by ThankGod Maduka Kalu. Lucky played a key role in designing the product, helping shape its user experience and interface. The platform has since grown to serve over 10,000 students, proof that thoughtful design can power meaningful impact.
“That experience proved that the second attempt is often stronger,” he reflects. “Gianx taught me what not to do. My Skool Tool showed me how design can scale an idea into something that truly helps people.”
*Scaling Impact with Nugi Technologies*
In 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown, Lucky joined Nugi Technologies as a Product Designer. The role gave him a bigger stage to apply his vision.
At Nugi, he helped build solutions like:
*Bosscab* – a ride-hailing platform tailored for African cities.
*Syncventory* – an inventory management system empowering small and medium businesses.
But beyond design, Lucky became a mentor—nurturing younger colleagues and embedding a culture of curiosity. “Design leadership isn’t about being the smartest in the room,” he says. “It’s about asking the right questions and guiding others to answers.”
*A Teacher at Heart*
Over time, informal advice to friends evolved into structured mentorship. By late 2023, the CEO of LM Tech Hub invited him to mentor young designers. Today, Lucky serves as a Product Design Tutor at CareerFoundry, where he coaches learners around the world.
“Mentorship is about legacy,” he says. “If I can help others avoid my mistakes and dream bigger, then I’ve done my job.”
*The AI Frontier*
Lately, Lucky has turned his focus to emerging technologies—especially artificial intelligence. To him, AI isn’t hype but a frontier where design and humanity intersect.
“AI shouldn’t replace humans—it should empower us,” he explains.
He is currently working on an AI-driven productivity solution aimed at helping both individuals and enterprises work smarter. His passion has also made him a sought-after speaker at conferences. In 2025, he addressed tech audiences with the theme “From Sci-Fi to Reality: The Evolution of Artificial Intelligence”—blending history, human stories, and optimism about the future.
*The Road Ahead*
Looking back, Lucky sees a thread that ties his journey together: curiosity.
“It’s the same curiosity I had as a boy in Umuahia, building things from scraps,” he says with a smile. “Except now, the scraps are ideas, data, and code—and the things I build can touch lives far beyond my neighborhood.”
His goals ahead are ambitious: to scale AI-driven platforms, mentor more designers, and create tools that merge human needs with business realities.
“Design isn’t just about interfaces,” he concludes. “It’s about people. It’s about resilience. And above all, it’s about building systems that help others thrive.”
And if history is any guide, Lucky Ekezie’s story is still only just beginning.
