Sailsconf Africa 2025

Workshops

• 

  Compilers, Bundlers & Interpreters: Turns Out, You Can Build One Too!

  

  Tobiloba Adedeji

  Thursday, May 22nd, 2025 from 9:00 A.M - 12.00 P.M WAT

• 

  Build and Ship a SaaS in Hours with The Boring JavaScript Stack + React

  

  Kelvin Omereshone

  Thursday, May 22nd, 2025 from 1:30 P.M - 3:30 P.M WAT and includes lunch

Day 1 - Workshop day, May 22nd, 2025

• 

  Attendees check-in

  Sailsconf crew | 8:00 A.M - 8:15 A.M WAT

  Instructions

  To check in to Sailsconf, ensure that you have purchased a ticket and that it is valid, meaning that payment has been made and confirmed. Please provide the email you used when purchasing the ticket, and you will be checked in for the event.

• 

  Welcome note & introductions

  Olabode Lawal-Shittabey | 8:16 A.M - 8:59 A.M WAT

  Note

  General welcome and introductions by Host. This also allows attendees settle in and get ready for the amazing workshops.

• 

  Workshop: Compilers, Bundlers & Interpreters: Turns Out, You Can Build One Too!

  Tobiloba Adedeji | 9:00 A.M - 12:00 P.M WAT

  Abstract

  This hands-on workshop guides participants through the fundamentals of constructing basic compiler, bundler, and interpreter tools. Participants will gain practical experience with the core concepts that power modern development toolchains while building simplified but functional versions of these critical components.

  The workshop begins with a conceptual overview of compilation pipelines, exploring how source code transforms through lexical analysis, parsing, and code generation. We then implement these concepts by building a minimal compiler for a subset of a programming language. Next, we develop a simple bundler to demonstrate dependency resolution and module packaging. Finally, we create a basic interpreter to execute our compiled code.

  By workshop's end, participants will understand the architectural foundations of these essential developer tools and have functioning prototypes demonstrating each concept. This workshop bridges theory and practice, revealing the inner workings of tools developers use daily while providing practical knowledge applicable to tool development, language design, and performance optimization.

  Attendees are encouraged to come with their laptops as this will be a hands-on workshop.

  About Tobiloba Adedeji

  Tobiloba Adedeji is a Builder at Mother AI

• 

  Lunch Break & Networking 🧆🫱🏾‍🫲🏿

  Sailsconf AF Attendees | 12:00 P.M - 1:00 P.M

  Note

  Go grab yourself a meal from the buffet and network with your peers. Share a few selfies on social as well with the hashtag #SailsconfAF2025

• 

  Workshop: Build and Ship a SaaS in Hours with The Boring JavaScript Stack + React

  Kelvin Omereshone | 12:00 P.M - 3:00 P.M WAT

  Abstract

  In this hands-on workshop, we’ll build and ship a real-world SaaS application using The Boring JavaScript Stack (TBJS)—a battle-tested, production-ready stack that prioritizes simplicity, speed, and maintainability. With Sails.js, Inertia.js, or React, Tailwind, and PostgreSQL, we’ll go from zero to a fully functional, deployable SaaS product.

  By the end of the workshop, you won’t just have knowledge—you’ll have a working SaaS product, ready to launch. Whether you’re a startup founder, indie hacker, or developer looking to ship faster, this workshop will show you how TBJS makes building SaaS refreshingly simple.

  Attendees are encouraged to come with their laptops as this will be a hands-on workshop.

  About Kelvin Omereshone

  Kelvin is a web development educator at Sailscasts and the creator of The Boring JavaScript Stack.

  He is also the lead maintainer of Sails.js - a web framework for JavaScript. Kelvin is also an indie hacker working on products like Sailscasts, Guppy, and Hagfish.

  f
• 

  Social media Break & Networking

  Sailsconf AF Attendees | 3:00 P.M - 3:30 P.M WAT

  Note

  Network with your peers. Share a few selfies on social as well with the hashtag #SailsconfAF2025

• 

  

  Squiddy Games

  Augustine Francis | 3:30 P.M - 5:30 P.M WAT

  Instructions

  Come partake in the jolly and fun Squiddy Games and stand a chance to win $3,000.

• 

  

  Closing remarks

  Olabode Lawal-Shittabey & Kelvin Omereshone | 6:25 P.M - 6:30 P.M WAT

  Note

  Sailsconf AF 2025 day 1 official closes and all attendees are advised to go get some rest for day 2 which will be filled with amazing web development talks.

Day 2 - Talk day, May 23rd, 2025

• 

  Attendees check-in

  Sailsconf crew | 8:00 A.M - 8:15 A.M WAT

  Instructions

  To check in to Sailsconf, ensure that you have purchased a ticket and that it is valid, meaning that payment has been made and confirmed. Please provide the email you used when purchasing the ticket, and you will be checked in for the event.

• 

  Welcome note & introductions

  Olabode Lawal-Shittabey | 8:16 A.M - 8:59 A.M WAT

  Note

  General welcome and introductions by Host. This also allows attendees settle in and get ready for the amazing talks.

• 

  Opening Keynote: Everyday AI

  Mike McNeil | 9:00 A.M - 10:30 A.M WAT

  Abstract

  I've been using LLMs within Sails apps for the last few years, and I thought it would be cool to show everyone that code, both for the production use cases and for internal use cases.

  About Mike McNeil

  Mike McNeil is the creator and BDFL(Benevolent Dictator For Life) of Sails. He is also the CEO of Fleet Device Management.

• 

  Designing APIs for 1M+ Users: Scaling for Performance and Reliability

  Paul Edwards | 10:30 A.M - 11:10 A.M WAT

  Abstract

  Building an API that serves a few hundred users is one thing, but what happens when that number grows to a million? Performance bottlenecks, database overloads, and unpredictable failures become real challenges. This talk will break down the key principles behind designing APIs that can scale seamlessly without breaking under pressure.

  Whether you're building your first API or scaling an existing one, this session will give you the tools to handle growth with confidence.

  About Paul Edwards

  Paul Edwards is a Senior Software Developer with over twelve years of experience and CTO of Afrinvest West Africa, public speaker, and certified pen tester.

  He has developed software with high standards and interacted with multiple stakeholders from both technical and non-technical backgrounds, ensuring clarity, quality, and continuous delivery. His quest for excellence led him to Koenig Solutions Dubai, where he became certified in ethical hacking. This experience has strengthened his expertise in pen-testing, application security, and cloud deployment.

• 

  Convention Over Configuration Works—Scaling Fintech with Sails.js

  Adewole Caleb Erioluwa | 11:10 A.M - 11:40 A.M WAT

  Abstract

  Coding by convention represents an important fundamental shift in how developers approach application architecture—reducing decision fatigue while preserving flexibility. As financial systems scale, these architectural choices become increasingly consequential.

  But let’s be real—every team has its own dynamics, and sometimes, it’s exhausting. I’ve always joked that no matter how many teams I work with, there’s always a unique brand of chaos waiting for me. Yet, somehow, I keep diving in.

  This talk dissects real-world examples from fintech applications where embracing Sails.js conventions significantly improved development velocity, security metrics, and team collaboration. I'll demonstrate practical patterns for leveraging Sail's conventional approach to build robust financial systems

  About Adewole Caleb Erioluwa

  During my journey from sceptic to advocate, I've implemented Sails.js in production environments handling over $20 million in transaction volume, building mission-critical features including real-time transaction reconciliation systems, notification service, secure KYC flows, and high-performance APIs.

  This experience has revealed that while importing Express-style configurations may seem comfortable initially, convention-over-configuration ultimately creates more maintainable, secure, and scalable financial applications.

• 

  Lunch Break & Networking 🧆🫱🏾‍🫲🏿

  Sailsconf AF Attendees | 12:00 P.M - 1:00 P.M WAT

  Note

  Go grab yourself a meal from the buffet and network with your peers. Share a few selfies on social as well with the hashtag #SailsconfAF2025

• 

  Fantastic Engineers and how to Manage them

  Sophia Ahuoyiza Abubakar | 1:00 P.M - 1:30 P.M WAT

  Abstract

  Software engineers are brilliant, creative, and often unpredictable. Managing them effectively requires a unique blend of leadership, psychology, and technical understanding. In this talk, we’ll explore what makes great engineers tick, how to create an environment where they thrive, and how to balance autonomy with accountability.

  This session is designed for intermediate and senior developers, engineering managers, and tech leads who want to level up their leadership skills and better understand the nuances of managing high-performing technical teams.

  Whether you're an engineer stepping into leadership or a seasoned manager looking to refine your approach, this session will equip you with actionable insights to build and lead outstanding engineering teams.

  About Sophia Ahuoyiza Abubakar

  I am a product engineer who has led product and engineering teams of exceptional talents over the past 5 years and I have learnt hands-on the best way to manage them and optimise for success.

  In my journey, I have made countless mistakes and some success; this equips me to inform budding and experienced managers what to do, and not do, and how to grow in managing talents effectively.

• 

  

  Scaling with Open Source: How Open Source Fuels Innovation and Growth

  Mike McNeil & Ezra Olubi | 1:30 P.M - 2:30 P.M WAT

  Note

  Sailsconf AF 2025 day 2 official closes and all attendees are advised to go get some rest for day 3 which will be filled with amazing web development talks.

• 

  Beyond Growth: How to Build Teams That Scale, Innovate, and Make an Impact

  Obiuwevbi Gospel Jonathan | 2:30 P.M - 3:00 P.M WAT

  Abstract

  One thing I’ve learned from working with multiple teams—Hillside University Technical Team, Babtech School of Technology, Intellimedmedia USA, PurpleBee Technologies, and more—is that a great team isn’t just about skill; it’s about execution, innovation, and staying so valuable that people struggle to let go of you. And trust me, I’ve seen this happen over and over again.

  But let’s be real—every team has its own dynamics, and sometimes, it’s exhausting. I’ve always joked that no matter how many teams I work with, there’s always a unique brand of chaos waiting for me. Yet, somehow, I keep diving in.

  Attendees will gain insights into crafting web applications that are resilient, maintainable, and adaptable to evolving business needs.

  I’ve been part of and also led teams that built and launched projects at scale—like the state-wide exam registration portal that processed over 30,000 student registrations in just two months. Then there’s PBResult, a platform currently piloting in schools with 7,000+ teachers and students actively registered. Not to mention the Hillside University staff portal and multiple university projects serving thousands of visitors daily. Through all these, I’ve realized that building a successful team isn’t just about hiring smart people—it’s about creating systems, fostering ownership, and making innovation a culture, not just a buzzword.

  Now, Kelvin Omereshone once said, “Burnouts result from doing the wrong things.” And honestly, I wish I could argue with that, but I’ve lived it. The real problem? Sometimes, it’s not even the “wrong things” in the big picture—it’s just too many things, done the wrong way, at the wrong time.

  This talk isn’t some textbook breakdown of leadership strategies. It’s a raw, battle-tested deep dive into what actually works—how to scale teams effectively, keep innovation alive without burning out, and build a system where the team doesn’t just function but thrives.

  Because at the end of the day, growth is great—but building a team that people can’t do without? That’s the real game-changer

  About Obiuwevbi Gospel Jonathan

  I’ve led multiple high-stakes projects and technical teams across different industries, from education to health tech and beyond.

  Hillside University Technical Team, Babtech School of Technology, Intellimedmedia USA, PurpleBee Technologies—these aren’t just names on my résumé; they’re teams that have built and delivered impactful solutions. And somehow, they still don’t want to let go of me.

  When it comes to scaling teams and driving innovation, I don’t just talk theory—I’ve done it, repeatedly, under intense deadlines and high expectations.

• 

  Social media Break & Networking

  Sailsconf AF Attendees | 3:00 P.M - 3:30 P.M WAT

  Note

  Network with your peers. Share a few selfies on social as well with the hashtag #SailsconfAF2025

• 

  

  Squiddy Games

  Augustine Francis | 3:30 P.M - 6:30 P.M WAT

  Note

  The finale of the Squiddy Games where the winner goes home with $3,000. May the odds be forever in your favour.

• 

  

  Closing remarks

  Olabode Lawal-Shittabey & Kelvin Omereshone | 6:30 P.M - 7:00 P.M WAT

  Note

  Sailsconf AF 2025 day 2 official closes and all attendees are advised to go get some rest for day 3 which will be filled with amazing web development talks.

Day 3 - Talk day, May 24th, 2025

• 

  Attendees check-in

  Sailsconf crew | 8:00 A.M - 8:15 A.M WAT

  Instructions

  To check in to Sailsconf, ensure that you have purchased a ticket and that it is valid, meaning that payment has been made and confirmed. Please provide the email you used when purchasing the ticket, and you will be checked in for the event.

• 

  Welcome note & introductions

  Olabode Lawal-Shittabey | 8:16 A.M - 8:59 A.M WAT

  Note

  General welcome and introductions by Host. This also allows attendees settle in and get ready for the amazing talks.

• 

  Mastering Modern Frontend Performance: Strategies for Faster and More Efficient Web Applications

  Amani Kanu | 9:00 A.M - 9:30 A.M WAT

  Abstract

  In today’s modern web application, performance is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity. Users expect fast, seamless experiences, and businesses demand optimized applications that scale efficiently.

  Attendees will leave with actionable techniques to enhance their web applications, ensuring better performance, scalability, and user experience.

  About Amani Kanu

  With over half a decade of experience as a Senior Frontend Engineer, I have worked on high-traffic, scalable web applications across various industries. My expertise in React, Next.js, performance optimization, and AI-driven development makes me well-equipped to teach developers how to fine-tune their web applications for speed, efficiency, and scalability.

• 

  TypeSafety in Sails without TypeScript

  Kelvin Omereshone | 9:40 A.M - 10:40 A.M WAT

  Abstract

  TypeScript has become the go-to solution for type safety in JavaScript applications, but what if your Sails.js app could have all the benefits of TypeScript—type checking, autocomplete, and refactoring—without actually using TypeScript?

  In this talk, we’ll introduce a Language Server for Sails.js, designed to make Sails development as intuitive and type-safe as if the framework were built in TypeScript. We’ll explore how the LSP leverages Sails’ built-in Anchor and RTTC (Run-Time Type Checking) to infer types dynamically, providing deep autocomplete, go-to definition, and real-time diagnostics without a .ts file in sight.

  But type safety is only part of the story. We’ll also see how an ESLint plugin for Sails ensures best practices and catches potential issues early, while Prettier keeps your code consistent and readable, creating a development experience that feels effortless and polished.

  By the end of this talk, you’ll see how combining the Sails LSP, ESLint, and Prettier makes TypeScript optional—allowing you to write clean, maintainable, and type-safe Sails apps without leaving the comfort of JavaScript.

  About Kelvin Omereshone

  Kelvin is a web development educator at Sailscasts and the creator of The Boring JavaScript Stack.

  He is also the lead maintainer of Sails.js - a web framework for JavaScript. Kelvin is also an indie hacker working on products like Sailscasts, Guppy, and Hagfish.

• 

  Graceful API Evolution: Mastering Versioning Without Breaking Things

  Johnkingsley Amaechi | 10:40 P.M - 11:10 P.M WAT

  Abstract

  In the fast-paced world of web development, APIs are constantly evolving to meet new business requirements, embrace emerging technologies, and fix inevitable design flaws. Yet every change risks disrupting the developers and systems that depend on your APIs. How do you balance innovation with stability? How do you evolve your APIs without forcing painful migrations on your consumers?

  This talk explores the art and science of API versioning strategies used by industry leaders. Through practical exercises, we'll move beyond theory to tackle real-world versioning challenges. Participants will implement and test multiple versioning approaches, from URI and header-based strategies to content negotiation and incremental evolution patterns.

  We'll learn how to design clear deprecation workflows, create automated compatibility testing, and build migration tools that make version transitions painless. We'll examine case studies of versioning successes and failures from companies like Stripe, GitHub, and Twitter/X to extract actionable insights for your API design.

  About Johnkingsley Amaechi

  As a software engineer with 6 years of experience building scalable systems across web, mobile, and automation platforms, I bring specialized expertise in API versioning and evolution strategies.

  Throughout my career, I've both worked with and architected APIs at various scales—from small targeted solutions to enterprise-grade systems requiring sophisticated versioning approaches.

  In my current role as Senior Software Engineer at Dolcepay, I lead the architecture and development of our payment infrastructure APIs.

• 

  Getting API monitoring and observability right

  Chidiebere Alfred Levi | 11:20 P.M - 11:50 P.M WAT

  Abstract

  APIs are the life bank or live wire that supplies power and meaning to most applications and services in the digital space, it connects everything ranging from cloud services & Infrastructure, to containers, to IoT devices, interconnectivity in telecoms & multimedia, Web, and even AI-driven applications, just to mention a few. However, when APIs fail or slow down, the impact can be huge - businesses lose money, customers get frustrated, and developers struggle to troubleshoot and diagnose issues. Ensuring API uptime and health isn't just about logging errors; it's about deep observability into every API interaction. This practice is non-negotiable.

  This session will highlight and buttress why API monitoring is a non negotiable practice and how observability tools help engineers catch performance bottlenecks, latency spikes, and unexpected failures before they escalate. We’ll break down the difference between simple logging and full-scale monitoring while showcasing real-world techniques for keeping APIs reliable and users smiling.

  Asides the inherent technology, API monitoring has real business implications. A slow or failing API can result in lost revenue, security vulnerabilities, and poor user experience. Companies that invest in observability gain a competitive edge by delivering reliable and scalable apps and services. 🚀 Let’s discuss this, learn from each other and uncover how API monitoring & observability can save the day before things go wrong!

  About Chidiebere Alfred Levi

  Chidiebere Alfred Levi is a Senior Backend Engineer & Consultant with experience spanning across the Fintech, Investments, Travel, Non-profit, Pensions and Banking ecosystem.

  My career to date has been characterized by a passion for technology and a dedication to excellence. I have successfully led several large-scale projects, translating complex requirements into functional, high-performing applications across Companies like First bank plc, Sterling Bank, ARM Investment managers, Hydrogen pay (Access bank plc.), Unity bank, UBA, just to mention a few.

  My ability to design and maintain efficient, reusable, and reliable systems has consistently resulted in robust and scalable software products. Moreover, my experience with Agile methodologies, AWS, Azure DevOps, Containerization (docker, kubernetes, virtual machines) and CI/CD pipelines has equipped me with the skills needed to thrive in fast-paced and high-pressure environments.

• 

  Lunch Break & Networking 🧆🫱🏾‍🫲🏿

  Sailsconf AF Attendees | 11:50 P.M - 1:00 P.M

  Note

  Go grab yourself a meal from the buffet and network with your peers. Share a few selfies on social as well with the hashtag #SailsconfAF2025

• 

  Building Financial Apps... The Right Way

  Favour Onuoha | 1:00 P.M - 1:30 P.M WAT

  Abstract

  When developers dive into building financial applications, they often face an invisible challenge: accounting. Concepts like double-entry bookkeeping, charts of accounts, and financial reporting aren’t always taught in coding boot camps, but they’re crucial to getting it right.

  This talk bridges the gap between engineering and accounting, giving developers the foundational knowledge to build systems that meet compliance requirements. We’ll demystify the core principles, explore real-world app architecture, and share strategies for building robust and accurate financial reporting tools.

  About Favour Onuoha

  I've been working in the fintech space for over 5+ years and would love to share my knowledge on it.

• 

  Sails.js is Not Dead

  Elijah Haastrup | 1:30 P.M - 2:00 P.M WAT

  Abstract

  No customer ever asks about the technology behind your product—they care that it works, solves their problem, and scales with their needs. Sails.js has quietly powered major products like Paystack’s Zap, FleetDM, and fintech solutions at Cudium, enabling rapid development without sacrificing scalability.

  In this talk, I’ll share real-world use cases, including how I’ve shipped major features in hours instead of days, built entire business logic in weeks, and iterated at lightning speed. I’ll also dive into how the Sails.js community is evolving, why major enterprises (including Microsoft, Amazon, and Postman) use it, and why it remains an excellent choice for startups, indie hackers, and enterprise developers alike.

  If you’ve ever wondered whether Sails.js is still relevant, this session will change your perspective. Let’s explore how Sails.js enables fast iteration, painless database management, and a laser focus on solving customer problems. Join the growing community and discover why TBJS (a full-stack Sails.js technology) might be the best foundation for your next project.

  About Elijah Haastrup

  I have been building actively for the past 3 years on the framework, I have first hand experience of what the framework can do. if An engineer can drop their Ego and just focus on serving their customers.

• 

  Social media Break & Networking

  Sailsconf AF Attendees | 2:00 P.M - 2:30 P.M WAT

  Note

  Network with your peers. Share a few selfies on social as well with the hashtag #SailsconfAF2025

• 

  

  Squiddy Games Finale

  Augustine Francis | 2:30 P.M - 5:30 P.M WAT

  Instructions

  Come partake in the jolly and fun Squiddy Games and stand a chance to win $3,000.

• 

  

  Closing remarks

  Olabode Lawal-Shittabey & Kelvin Omereshone | 5:30 P.M - 5:40 P.M WAT

  Note

  Sailsconf AF 2025 officially closes. See you all at Sailsconf AF 2026

• 

  

  #SailsconfAF2025 Afterparty 🎉🎉🎉

  Geekiedj | 5:40 P.M - 7:30 P.M WAT

  Note