Written by Staff Writer ITPulse
In the realm of digital technology, where metrics often rules, Theresa Okonofua is more concerned with developing technology that genuinely connects with people.
She creates solutions which bridge the gap between utility and meaningful user experience as a product designer by combining technological know-how with a human touch. With a background that spans various fields, her work consistently pushes the boundaries of what digital solutions can achieve.
Theresa noticed early on a recurring problem: brilliant innovations often miss the mark when it comes to meeting the real needs of users. This insight shaped her unwavering commitment to designing with purpose. “I didn’t want to stay in the realm of theory,” she shares. “I wanted to create real-world solutions that people could use, connect with, and feel genuinely understood by. I still do.”
Theresa led a significant user research project at Afrilearn that helped create Learn and Earn and AskAfri to mention a few. Her leadership was crucial to the platform’s expansion, drawing in thousands of engaged students.
Additionally, she helped scale ClassNotes.ng to over 1 million monthly users and secured a $100,000 UNICEF Innovation Fund prize. She also spearheaded the development of an intuitive user interface and user experience (UI/UX) for Lambabros’ decentralised application (DApp), which optimises user flows and improves blockchain accessibility.
Outside of her work, Theresa volunteers at TGIB, a tech non-profit that equips adolescent girls in Africa with blockchain expertise, enabling the next generation of female innovators to thrive.
In addition to her ongoing work, Theresa is passionate about building accessible Healthtech and MedTech platforms that use digital tools to support a wide range of users. For her, user research is the foundation of every project. “User research is where the real design begins,” she explains.
“It’s the bridge between the vision and the reality of what users truly need.” Whether she’s refining interfaces or developing solutions for diverse users, Theresa is driven by a deep commitment to creating intuitive, user-centered technologies.
Her vision reaches beyond the screen. As the author of The Progress of Tissue Engineering of the Cervix, Theresa is exploring the intersection of regenerative medicine and digital technology—an area few designers venture into.
“We’re on the cusp of a revolution, where biomedical engineering and digital technology are converging,” she says. “It’s not just about building apps. It’s about designing ecosystems where tissue engineering, data science, and user experience seamlessly integrate to improve healing.”
She envisions a time when researchers will be able to digitally replicate tissue reactions before any biological material is ever cultured, surgeons will be able to model surgeries using digital twins, and patients will be able to monitor their recovery with customised, data-driven dashboards. “Digital innovation’s future lies in this,” she says. “I want to take the lead at the nexus of innovative design, technology, and healthcare.” It’s about expanding the perception of digital technology beyond what it’s typically streamlined to, showing how it can drive holistic, human-centered solutions across diverse fields.”
Not only is Theresa technically proficient, but she also approaches her work with thoughtfulness, which is what really makes her stand out. Her dedication to inclusivity and transparency is evident in every product she creates. From the beginning, she considers diverse users—not as an afterthought but as central to the design. “Inclusive design isn’t just a box to tick,” she says. “It’s the foundation of technology that stands the test of time.”
Theresa is quietly reshaping what leadership in tech should look like—prioritizing curiosity, collaboration, and compassion over conventional metrics. Her bigger vision? To create platforms that redefine how we view digital technology—not as mere productivity tools, but as catalysts for dignity, accessibility, and well-being.
Theresa Okonofua is not just designing products; she’s pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. She embodies the future of product design with a unique blend of technical knowledge, imaginative vision, and social concern. And from the looks of it, she’s just getting started.