Tech Trivia with Chioma Oko, Product Manager at Semicolon

In tech, certificates can open the door, but they are not what makes you valuable in the room. What really matters is what you can build, what problems you can solve, and how well you can share that knowledge with others.

This is why the most impactful people in tech consistently build real projects, test their ideas, and then teach others what they have learnt.

Today’s Tech Trivia shines the spotlight on someone doing this rightly — Chioma Oko. She is a Product Manager at Semicolon (Enum) and Founder of PM Oasis, building realproducts and systems, mentoring future product managers, and turning product knowledge into something practical and accessible for others.

At Semicolon, she leads product strategy for learning, assessment, and identity systems, where she built an assessment platform MVP from 0 to 1 in just six weeks, improving grading accuracy and turnaround time by over 30%. 

Through PM Oasis, she also mentors aspiring product managers using hands-on case studies, product discovery, and agile execution, helping them move from theory to real product work.

However, Chioma has held product roles at Fundall, AB InBev, and AIESEC, delivering measurable impact through experimentation, data-driven decision-making, and customer-centred design. 

With a background in Computer Science and certifications in Product and Project Management, she is passionate about building practical, scalable products and helping teams and individuals grow into confident product leaders.

Read more: How mastering no-code tech skills improved the livelihood of these 5 university students

1. Summarise your mornings in one sentence

My mornings during the week usually start with me waking up early to pray to help ease into the day based on my energy. Then I get ready while listening to a sermon, make breakfast, and head to work. Weekends are slower and more flexible.

2. Describe your gadget setup

My gadget setup is simple, intentional, and built for switching smoothly between work and personal life.

I use two PCs: one dedicated to office work and my personal laptop for everything outside of that. Both are positioned on a sturdy table, with a laptop stand that elevates the screen to eye level, making long work sessions more comfortable and reducing strain on my neck and shoulders.

Audio is a key part of my setup. I alternate between headphones, AirPods, and earbuds depending on what I’m doing: headphones for focused work or long listening sessions, AirPods for quick calls and flexibility, and earbuds when I need something lightweight and unobtrusive. This variety makes it easy to stay productive without being tied to one mode of listening.

My iPhone sits within easy reach and acts as a central companion to the setup. It handles quick communication, reminders, music, and transitions between devices throughout the day. Together, these tools create a functional workspace without being cluttered, giving me the flexibility to move between deep work, meetings, and personal tasks with minimal friction.

3. What tech tools/ applications do you use the most for work?

The tech apps I use the most for work are Clickup, Pumble and other AI tools.

4. What do you do when you need inspiration?

When I need inspiration, I speak to people and spend time online, especially on Instagram and Pinterest, where real conversations, visuals, and shared experiences spark fresh ideas and new perspectives.

5. What mobile application can you not do without daily?

WhatsApp for online communication.

6. What tech solution do you wish someone had created?

An AI-powered machine that can detect, understand, and eradicate cancer at its root using data-driven precision to diagnose early, personalise treatment, and ultimately save millions of lives worldwide.

7. If you have unlimited time and money, what problem would you solve?

Different problems inspire me, but I’ll start with the health space, supporting special needs children and tackling cancer, areas where empathy, innovation, and real impact can truly change lives.   

8. Which woman in tech inspires you the most?

Melissa Perri because she consistently reframes product management around outcomes, not outputs. Her work challenges PMs to move beyond roadmaps and feature factories into deep customer understanding, clear strategy, and empowered teams. 

She articulates the hard truths many product managers experience but struggle to name, especially around alignment, decision-making, and value delivery. Through her writing and talks, she reinforces that product managers are responsible for learning, impact, and sustainable growth, not just shipping features.

Her thinking has shaped how I approach strategy, discovery, and leadership in my product work.

9. Which profound statement inspires you the most?

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” — Maya Angelou.  

10. Whose women in tech trivia would you love to read?

Adora Nwodo (Software Engineer, Microsoft), Odunayo Eweniyi (Co-founder & COO, PiggyVest), Ada Nduka Oyom (Founder, She Code Africa/Open Source Community Africa), Damilola Olokesusi (Co-founder & CEO, Shuttlers).

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