At just 23, Benson Favour is already one of the most exciting voices shaping Nigeria’s fast-evolving digital design landscape. As a product designer, she skillfully navigates the intersection of artificial intelligence and user experience. Over the past two years, Benson has dedicated herself to building intuitive, human-centered tools that drive some of the country’s most promising tech initiatives.
Her journey is a powerful reminder that impactful design begins with a clear vision and a desire to make technology truly work for people. Here are some key milestones from her remarkable path, offering insights you can apply to your own career in tech, especially if you are looking to make your mark:
1. Starting with Passion and Purpose:. Benson’s path began during her computer science studies at Bingham University. Even then, she was driven by a powerful desire to make technology clearer and more approachable. This led her to spend her spare time redesigning apps and dashboards, a clear sign of her innate talent and user-first mindset. It shows you don’t always need a formal brief to start making a difference; sometimes, your own curiosity is the best guide to where you can add value.
2. Gaining Foundational Experience and Impact: Her early instincts quickly led her to an internship at Aiivon Innovation Hub. There, she wasn’t just designing; she was actively helping to develop youth learning tools and SME onboarding dashboards. This work directly impacted over 500 students and small business owners. This phase highlights how crucial early exposure and practical application can be for your growth, and how even initial roles can lead to significant real-world impact.
3. Venturing into AI, Focusing on Trust: In 2023, Benson strategically expanded her focus into the rapidly growing world of AI-powered digital products. She worked on the onboarding flow for a chatbot tool designed to help young learners access educational and wellness materials. What stands out here is her meticulous attention to tone and trust in the product’s very first interactions with users. This demonstrates that for AI to be truly beneficial, it must first earn the user’s confidence, a lesson critical for anyone building AI tools today.
4. Driving Tangible Results in Hospitality Tech: Earlier this year, Benson joined Loftspace, a smart hospitality platform leveraging AI-driven concierge assistants. Her leadership in redesigning the guest assistant onboarding experience yielded impressive results: a 40% improvement in user engagement and a reduction in guest support escalations. These numbers aren’t just statistics; they are proof that great design isn’t just about aesthetics, but about solving real business problems and enhancing the user journey effectively. These are the kinds of results you want to see when you put users first.
5. Building the Next Generation of Designers: Benson’s impact extends beyond her direct projects. She is passionately committed to nurturing emerging talent. Through product design workshops with organizations like She Code Africa Abuja and TeensCanCode, she actively mentors first-time designers, many of whom are young women. She guides them on critical aspects like user experience, accessibility, and mobile-first best practices. Her public appearances on Nigerian radio and TV stations further solidify her standing as a vocal advocate for ethical and inclusive design.
As Benson herself puts it, “I think design should feel like an invitation. It should help people feel confident, not confused. That’s always been my goal.”
As AI continues to redefine how people interact with digital products across Africa, Benson Favour truly stands out. Her work proves that exceptional design is far more than just what appears on screens; it’s about meticulously building trust, fostering deep understanding, and creating genuine human connection. Are you ready to see how your own design principles can shape the future, just like Benson is doing?
