AWS Cloud Practitioner Journey - 0→Certified in 12 Days 🇳🇬

Goals: AWS Cloud Practitioner journey - Lagos, Nigeria. 12-day sprint to CLF-C02 cert. Hands-on: EC2, Lambda, S3, VPC using Free Tier + Builder Labs. Tracking cost optimization & architecture patterns. Day 2: 2/12 modules, 87% avg. #100DaysOfCloud #HireMe Status: Day 2 - 2/12 modules complete | 87% average | Next: EC2 Launch + Module 3

📊 Progress Tracker

• Module 1: Cloud Concepts - 88% ✅ Apr 19
• Module 2: Compute in the cloud - 86% ✅ Apr 19
• Module 3: Lambda - `Apr 23'
• Builder Lab 1: EC2 Launch - Scheduled Apr 20
• Module 4: Storage - Apr 21
• Module 5: VPC - Apr 22
• Module 6: Security - Apr 23
• Module 7: Databases - Apr 24
• Module 8: Architecture - Apr 25
• Module 9: Pricing - Apr 26
• Module 10: Support - Apr 27
• Module 11: Migration - Apr 28
• Module 12: Final Prep - Apr 29

Certification Exam: Scheduled May 1, 2026

🛠️ Hands-On Evidence

Builder Lab 1: First EC2 Instance launchs - Apr 20, 2026

![EC2 running: https://github.com/selfman01-cloud/AWS-free-tier-project/blob/main/IMG_2122.png?raw=true Instance: i-0b43aee4cd2c6b07c Name: My web server Type: t3.micro Region: us-west-2
Status: 3/3 checks passed | Account: AWSLabsUser-4091-3903-5081
Skills: Debugged IAM ec2:RunInstances AccessDenied error on Security Groups. Resolved by selecting lab-compliant SG instead of default. Launched Free Tier EC2. Verified all health checks.
Cost: $0.00 — Terminated immediately post-verification
Lesson: Builder Labs enforce least-privilege IAM. Default resources blocked by design. Troubleshooting AccessDenied errors is a core cloud skill.

![EC2 Terminated: https://github.com/selfman01-cloud/AWS-free-tier-project/blob/main/IMG_2125.png?raw=true FinOps: Instance terminated. Full lifecycle ownership demonstrated. Zero surprise bill risk.

Builder Lab 1: First EC2 Instance

Status: Successfully launched✅ Apr 20

Will demonstrate: Launching t2.micro, key pair config, termination for cost control

💡 Key Skills Learned - Day 1

1. Cost Optimization: On-Demand for unpredictable traffic, Spot for 90% off batch jobs, Savings Plans for 72% off 1-3yr commitments.

Job skill: Can save companies ₦500k+/monthly on AWS bills.

2. Architecture Patterns: SNS Pub/Sub fan-out → Email + SQS.

Job skill: Design notification systems where some alerts are immediate, others processed later.

3. EC2 Instance Selection: General Purpose T/M-type for web apps/startups. Compute Optimized C-type for ML.

Job skill: Right-size infrastructure before launch.

4. Free Tier Workarounds: Used AWS Builder Labs when Cloud9 blocked.

Job skill: Problem-solve under constraints - critical for Nigerian cloud roles.

🎯 Why Hire Me?

I learn fast under pressure: 22+ hours Day 1, Free Tier blocked, found Builder Labs workaround, still scored 87% avg.

I document everything: This repo = proof of work. No "trust me bro" claims.

I understand business impact: Every module note translates to cost savings or architecture decisions.

Connect: Lagos, Nigeria | WhatsApp: +2347056217437

CERTIFICATION:

AWS Skill Builder - Beginner Path

1. Getting Started with AWS Cloud Essentials ✅ Completed: Apr 19, 2026
Level: Fundamental | Duration: 1h | Rating: 4.6/5
Services covered: Amazon S3, EC2, IAM basics
Proof: https://github.com/selfman01-cloud/AWS-free-tier-project/blob/main/IMG_2052.jpeg?raw=true

![AWS Builder Labs EC2 Certificate:

https://github.com/selfman01-cloud/AWS-free-tier-project/blob/main/IMG_2128.jpeg?raw=true

Key takeaways from this course:

1. S3 basics: Object storage for files, websites, backups. 11 9's durability.
2. Shared Responsibility: AWS secures the cloud, you secure IN the cloud
3. Free Tier awareness: 750hrs EC2, 5GB S3 — why my Cloud9 got blocked

AWS Certification - In Progress

Target: AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) 🎯 Exam: May 1, 2026
Status: 2/12 modules | 87% average | Building in public from Lagos

Tags: aws cloud-practitioner nigeria 100daysofcloud ec2 lambda finops free-tier