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OUR SPECIAL GUESTS

HE, Siminalayi Fubara

Executive Governor of Rivers State, Nigeria

CHIEF HOST

HE, Siminalayi Fubara

Executive Governor of Rivers State, Nigeria

Dr. Muhammad Sirajo Aliyu

President, Nigeria Computer Society

Dr. 'Bosun Tijani

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy

CHAIRMAN

Dr. 'Bosun Tijani

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy

Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi

Director General/CEO, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)

SPECIAL GUEST

Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi

Director General/CEO, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)

Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director-General/CEO of the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, is a transformational expert with key competencies across policy formulation, administration, growth management, talent development, solutions architecture, resource mobilisation and strategy implementation.

Inuwa is a thoroughbred IT professional, with an impressive resume in public and private sector IT development, policy formulation, and IT governance. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi. He holds various executive certificates from top-notch universities such as Harvard University, University of Cambridge, London Business School and Oxford University, UK. Abdullahi is also an alumnus of the prestigious IMD Business School, Switzerland, and a trained strategist from the world-famous Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He equally holds many professional certifications in telecommunications, service management, networking, and solution design.

Inuwa being the first Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) in Nigeria’s public sector has bagged nearly 2 decades of experience in the public and private IT space. He started his professional career at Galaxy Backbone Ltd where he served as a network engineer and senior network and lead solution architect. In 2014, he joined the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as a Technology Architect where he was part of the team that developed the CBN Technology Architecture Repository (TAR) and also executed software license rationalization that has increased cost savings for the bank in licensing annual subscription. He joined NITDA in 2017 as the Technical Assistant to the then Director General, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, and has significantly contributed to the Agency’s growth and development

On 20th August 2019, Mr. Inuwa was appointed the Director-General of NITDA by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR. Thus far, Mr. Inuwa has steered the Agency along the path of working creatively and assiduously for the growth of the IT sector in Nigeria. Under the direction of Mr. Inuwa, NITDA has achieved several milestones in just three years. He has rolled out various programmes towards digital transformation, talent development, digital innovation and entrepreneurship, developmental regulations, exploring emerging technology, and promotion of indigenous IT content amongst others.

Dr. Aminu Maida

Executive Vice Chairman/ CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission

SPECIAL GUEST

Dr. Aminu Maida

Executive Vice Chairman/ CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission

Dr. Aminu Maida is the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). He was appointed into office on the 11th of October 2023 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

His appointment was subsequently confirmed by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Thursday, November 16, 2024, in line with the provisions of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA), 2023.

Dr. Maida is a highly accomplished technology executive with extensive experience spanning across the telecommunication and payments industries. Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Maida has consistently demonstrated his expertise in leading cutting-edge innovations, managing cross-functional teams, and driving growth for businesses in competitive markets.

With a solid academic background, Dr. Maida holds a Ph.D. in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from Bath University, UK, a Masters in Engineering in Information Systems Engineering from Imperial College London, as well as a Post Graduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship from Cambridge Judge Business School. His educational credentials have played an instrumental role in shaping his ability to tackle complex technical challenges and devise robust, future-proof strategies.

Before assuming his current role as the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the NCC, Dr. Maida held key positions in prominent organisations. He served as the Executive Director, Technology and Operations at the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement Systems PLC (NIBSS), overseeing the organization's day-to-day operations and IT infrastructure. Prior to this, he held the position of Chief Technology Officer at ARCA Payments Network, a leading Nigerian FinTech firm. His career trajectory also includes roles at British Telecoms as a Lead Consultant and at the Mobility Group, Cisco Systems UK.

Dr. Maida's technical prowess is further evidenced by the numerous patents he holds to his name in the areas of wireless communications and self-organising networks. He is an active participant in industry conferences and forums, where he shares his insights and experience with fellow professionals. He is committed to the ongoing advancement of technology in the telecommunication and payments sectors, mentoring young professionals, and contributing to research that shapes the future of these industries.

Throughout his career, he has successfully managed teams of engineers, developers, and researchers, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment. His expertise in strategic planning, business development, technology transformation, and project management have contributed significantly to the growth and expansion of the companies and organisations he has worked with.

As Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida has set out to deliver optimal value to the three categories of stakeholders of the Commission: The Consumers; the Licensees/ Industry; and the Government. His vision focuses on fostering growth in the telecoms sector as a catalyst for broader economic development, enhancing industry resilience, and prioritizing consumer satisfaction by improving service quality and experience.

The five drivers that underpin his leadership at the Commission are: the People—who he acknowledges as the biggest assets of the Commission; Collaboration; Data-driven decision-making; Compliance and Digitisation.

Prof. Ibrahim A. Adeyanju

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Galaxy Backbone

SPECIAL GUEST

Prof. Ibrahim A. Adeyanju

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Galaxy Backbone

Professor Ibrahim Adepoju Adeyanju is a Computer Engineer with over two decades of ICT experience in various sectors and domains in Nigeria and abroad. He graduated with a first-class degree in Computer Engineering from LAUTECH, Nigeria, and earned his master’s and PhD degrees in Computing from Robert Gordon University, UK. He also completed a post-doctoral fellowship on a UK-funded EPSRC research project and another fellowship at MIT, USA, sponsored by Total Nigeria plc. He is a registered member of COREN and several other professional bodies.

Prof. Adeyanju has held several leadership roles in academia, such as Head of Department, Deputy Dean and Director of Quality Assurance at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria. His ICT research has taken him to many countries across different continents, such as India, the USA, Germany, the UK, France, Spain, Italy and Portugal. He was one of 200 selected Young Researchers who interacted with Nobel Laureates in Mathematics and Computer Science at the first Heidelberg Laureate Forum in Germany in 2013.

He has also collaborated with researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras and Tata Research on a UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI) project between 2008-2010. He has received numerous Nigerian and international awards, such as the Stephen Awokoya Scholarship for Science Education, PTDF, UK ORSAS and NRP.

He has been involved in various ICT-related activities and events as an invited panel member, keynote presenter, guest speaker and judge. Some of these include the PTDF Overseas Scholarship Scheme Selection Committee for 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 PhD Scholarships, the SWITCHCON 2019 on Reposition for Disruptive Innovation, the OIIE Chat on the Role of Academic Institutions in a Tech Ecosystem, the ISACA Abuja Chapter’s 2017 International Conference on Disruptive Technologies, and the OIIE StartUP Nigeria Program on Innovation in Technology.

OUR GUEST SPEAKERS

Prof. Mike Hinchey

Former President of International Federation for Information Processing

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Prof. Mike Hinchey

Former President of International Federation for Information Processing

Professor Mike Hinchey is Former President of IFIP, the International Federation for Information Processing (www.ifip.org) for 2016-2022. He is also President of the Irish Computer Society and Past Chair of the IEEE UK & Ireland Section. He is currently Professor of Software Engineering and Head of the Department of Computer Science & Information Systems at University of Limerick, Ireland, where he is also Emeritus Director of Lero, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Software. Prior to joining the university, Professor Hinchey was the Director of the NASA Software Engineering Laboratory. In 2009, he was awarded NASA’s Kerley Award as Innovator of the Year and is one of only 36 people recognized in the NASA Inventors Hall of Fame. Professor Hinchey holds a B.Sc. in Computer Systems from University of Limerick, M.Sc. in Computation from University of Oxford and a PhD in Computer Science from University of Cambridge. Professor Hinchey is a Chartered Engineer, Chartered Engineering Professional, Chartered Mathematician and Chartered Information Technology Professional, as well as a Fellow of the IET, BCS, Engineers Ireland, and Irish Computer Society. He is the author/editor of over 20 books and more than 200 papers on various aspects of software engineering and computer science. He holds 26 patents, many of which are used in NASA exploration missions. He is Editor-in-Chief of Innovations in Systems and Software Engineering: a NASA Journal and Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society and Associate Editor of ACM Computing Surveys. In January 2018, he became an Honorary Fellow of the Computer Society of India and was the SEARCC Global ICT Professional of the Year 2018.

Dr. Heloisa Candello

Senior Research Scientist at the Responsible Tech Group, IBM Research – Brazil

DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER

Dr. Heloisa Candello

Senior Research Scientist at the Responsible Tech Group, IBM Research – Brazil

Dr. Heloisa Candello is a Senior Research Scientist at the Responsible Tech Group, IBM Research – Brazil, where she works with a team of talented researchers, software engineers and designers on innovative AI solutions. She has been with IBM for over 10 years, applying her expertise in user research and user experience design to create engaging and ethical AI interactive systems, especially conversational interfaces.
With a PhD in Human-Computer Interaction, Dr. Candello is passionate about exploring the design issues and opportunities involved in human-AI collaboration. She has published multiple papers in prestigious conferences and journals and received an honorable mention award at CHI 2019. Heloisa is currently serving as ACM Distinguished Speaker of ACM Distinguished Speaker Program, and an active volunteer and contributor to the ACM SIGCHI community, where she served as a member of the Volunteer Development Committee for two years and now is a co-chair of the LATAM committee, and CUI Steering committee. Her goal is to advance the field of HCI and AI, and to empower people with the support of responsible AI technologies.

Prof. Benjamin Segun Aribisala

Professor of Computer Science and a Fulbright Scholar

GUEST SPEAKER

Prof. Benjamin Segun Aribisala

Professor of Computer Science and a Fulbright Scholar

Please write my name as Professor Aribisala Benjamin Segun Department of Computer Science Lagos State University Profile Professor Aribisala Benjamin Segun is a Professor of Computer Science and a Fulbright Scholar. He received his Ph.D. degree in Computer Science from the University of Birmingham, U.K. He became a Professor of computer science in 2013. He has over 29 years of work experience as an academic staff and he has served at several leadership positions in the University, such as the Head of the Department of Computer Science, the Dean of the Faculty of Science, the Director of ICT, a member of the Governing Council in Lagos State University and Vice Chancellor of Oduduwa University.

He has worked as an academic staff in the UK, USA and Nigeria. For example, Newcastle University (England, U.K.), the University of Edinburgh (Scotland, U.K.) and The University of Chicago (Illinois, USA) as a Fulbright Visiting Professor of Computer Science. He is currently a Professor of computer science at Lagos State University and the Director of the center of excellence for sargassum research at Lagos State University. In June 2024, he was appointed by the Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu as a member of the Lagos State Research and Innovation Council. His research interest cuts across data science, medical image analysis, machine learning, deep learning and artificial intelligence.

His research focuses on improving medical diagnosis, quality of life, and life expectancy. According to google scholar, and as at 19th June 2024, Professor Aribisala has been cited 8,153 times at more than 50 countries. His h-index is 34 and his i10-index is 59. He has 4 publications in Nature and he has given presentations at 6 continents, covering the UK, USA, China, Canada, Jordan, Germany, Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Tanzania, Kenya, Portugal and so on. He has won many international awards, e.g. Young Investigators award from the Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics, Los Angeles USA in 2015. In 2017, he won the Best Paper Award at the SCI-GAIA European Organisation Conference, Pretoria, South Africa. He won the prestigious Fulbright scholarship in 2022 and that gave him the opportunity to visit the University of Chicago where he conducted research on breast cancer and machine learning.

He is a member of many professional bodies, for example, the Nigerian Computer Society, Computer Professional Registration Council of Nigeria, British Computer Society, IEEE, Organization of Human Brain Mapping and International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

Dr. Amadi Chimezie

Commissioner for Digital Economy and e-Government, Imo State

GUEST SPEAKER

Dr. Amadi Chimezie

Commissioner for Digital Economy and e-Government, Imo State

Dr Amadi Chimezie is a renowned technocrat, digital innovation and entrepreneurship expert with a passion for building sustainable digital business ventures, and a researcher with several articles published in high-impact journals.

Dr Amadi holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from ESPAM – Formation University, Cotonou, Benin in Entrepreneurship Development and is a doctoral scholar in Entrepreneurship Technology at the Federal University of Technology, Minna. He had previously obtained his Master of Science (MSc) degree from the University of Ibadan, Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Post Graduate Diploma in Management and Accounting from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree from Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT).

He attended various courses on 5G: The Path To Next Generation, Digital Transformation: Unlocking The Potential of IoT and Enabling The Full Value Of Wireless Connectivity: Game-Changing Technology For The Digital Age at the United States Telecommunications Training Institute where he bagged a Diploma certificate.

He has attended several international conferences and training on Digital Transformation, Strategic Innovation, Emotional Intelligence, Enhancing Management and Leadership Impact (ILM endorsed), the Inter-African Group Board of Directors program, the World Radio Conference, etc.

Dr Amadi has well over 21 years of work experience at the Nigerian Communications Commission, rising to the Director Cadre. His career as a technologist covers areas such as telecoms regulation, policy development, digital ecosystem development and management, monitoring and enforcement and emerging technologies research.

Dr Amadi hails from Abajah in Nwangele Local Government in Imo State where he is well recognised as a social entrepreneur, supporting many families in Abajah town, with source of livelihood and entrepreneurial skills training

Dr. Chimezie Paulinus Amadi is currently the Pioneer Commissioner for Imo State Ministry of Digital Economy and e-Government.

Dr. Kelvin Anoh

University of Chichester, Bognor Regis

GUEST SPEAKER

Dr. Kelvin Anoh

University of Chichester, Bognor Regis

Dr Kelvin Anoh is a Senior Lecturer in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Chichester, Bognor Regis, United Kingdom. Before that, he worked as a Lecturer in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Bolton, United Kingdom. He received a PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Bradford, United Kingdom, where he also worked as an Associate Lecturer from 2011 to 2016. Dr Anoh received an MSc in Data Telecommunications and Networks from the University of Salford, Manchester, UK. He also received a BSc (Hons) degree in Industrial Physics from Ebonyi State University, Nigeria, where he graduated as the best student in the class.

Dr Anoh worked as a Post-Doctoral Research Associate on the €30 million Triangulum project funded by the European Commission, one of the largest Smart Cities funded projects in Europe. He also worked on the £2 million ESPRC-funded project on Peer-to-Peer Energy Trading and Sharing – 3M (Multi-times, Multi-scales, Multi-qualities), from which he introduced the concept of Virtual Microgrid. He worked on the £177,000 EPSRC-funded project on Smart In-Building Micro-Grid for Energy Management to combine power and data over a single transmission cable. Dr Anoh has contributed to several other projects, including the Manchester Community Sensitisation on Climate Change funded by Together for Our Planet, UK, following the COP26 United Nations event in 2021.

Dr Anoh is the Head of the Future Technologies Research Centre at the University of Chichester, Bognor Regis, United Kingdom and a member of the Research Ethics Committee. He is the Technical Secretary of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Manchester (UK) Branch since 2019. He serves on the Technical Programme Committees of reputable conferences such as IEEE SmartGridComm, IEEE VTC, IEEE ISGT, and IEEE ISPLC, as well as on several reputable journal editorial boards. Dr Anoh coordinates students' external engagements with professional organisations such as the IET and IEEE at the University of Chichester. He has served as an Early Career Researchers Committee member of the EPSRC-funded Supergen Energy Network Hub since 2019, where they oversee Early Career Researchers and Resources.

He is a talented researcher interested in Smart Infrastructure targeting Smart Energy Cities. He has published over 80 peer-reviewed articles. Dr Anoh publishes regularly on Smart Grid, Signal Processing and Communications, Smart Cities, Embedded and Sensing Technologies, Machine Learning and Optimisation, Internet of Things and Cyber Security. He speaks regularly on Smart Energy Cities and the Enabling Technologies. Examples of his talks include "Optimisation of Embedded Machine Learning for Edge Inferencing" (Manchester UK, 2023), "Smart Energy Cities for MMSEZ" (South Africa, 2021), and the "Enabling Technologies for Smart Cities" (Mexico, 2016).

Dr Anoh has been visiting Novena University, Nigeria, as an Associate Professor since 2015 and has many other international agreements worldwide. He is a Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy and a member of IEEE, IET and NSE.

Enoabasi Emah

CEO of Sheedx Africa

GUEST SPEAKER

Enoabasi Emah

CEO of Sheedx Africa

Enoabasi Emah is a pioneering CEO of Sheedx Africa, a technology startup dedicated to empowering women and girls with digital skills. Her vision is to equip them with the knowledge to thrive in 21st-century businesses, regardless of their profession or career path. As Chief Technology Officer at Everest Online Academy, she ensures quality and up-to-date course content and operational excellence.

Her quest for knowledge has led on a path of various certifications which include Cisco Certified Network Associate, Oracle Database Administrator, SQL Expert, Compliance for Cybersecurity, Digital Marketing and a dedicated Web 3 Enthusiast.

Currently, she is leading an impactful initiative, providing digital skills training to 500 women with support from the European Union (EU). This project aims to bridge the digital gender gap in Akwa Ibom, promoting inclusivity and empowering women to succeed in the digital landscape.

Enoabasi is a graduate from Computer Science from the University of Uyo and is presently running an MBA with specialization in Artificial Intelligence at Nexford University.

Prof. Victor Ekong

HOD Software Engineering, University of Uyo

GUEST SPEAKER

Prof. Victor Ekong

HOD Software Engineering, University of Uyo

Professor Victor Ekong is a Professor of Computer Science in the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. He is presently the Head, Department of Software Engineering in the Faculty of Computing in the same university. His research interests includes; Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, Soft Computing, Data Sciences and Information Technology. Professor Ekong obtained his B.Sc. degree in Computer Science in 1998 from the University of Uyo, M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Computer Science in 2003 and 2014 respectively from University of Benin, Benin City in Nigeria. He has successfully supervised a Ph.D Theses, Ten (10) Masters Theses, over 100 undergraduate B.Sc. projects and has over 50 publications in reputable Journals and Conference proceedings. He has served as Head, School of Information Technology and Communications (SITC), University of the Gambia. He is a reviewer for some reputable journals. He is a member of Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Computer Professional registration council of Nigeria (CPN), Institute of Electrical Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and Academia in Information Technology Profession (AITP). He is happily married with children.

Chief Babajide Apata

Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Gird Finance

GUEST SPEAKER

Chief Babajide Apata

Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Gird Finance

Chief Babajide Apata holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. He is the Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Gird Finance, a payment company incorporated in the United States of America. With over a decade of experience in software engineering, Babajide has held several prominent roles throughout his career.

At Interswitch, he served as a software engineer, where he contributed to developing and maintaining key financial technology solutions. He then moved on to Moniepoint (formerly TeamApt), where he excelled as a principal software engineer, leading projects and mentoring junior engineers. Babajide further advanced his career at Nestcoin, a cryptocurrency company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, where he took on the role of Tech Lead, driving innovation and overseeing the technical direction of the company.

Currently, Chief Babajide Apata is working with Bitso SAPI De Cv, a leading crypto-based payment company headquartered in Mexico City, Mexico, where he continues to apply his expertise in the evolving field of cryptocurrency and financial technology.

Dr. Tunji Arowolo

Founder of Domfas International Leadership Academy

GUEST SPEAKER

Dr. Tunji Arowolo

Founder of Domfas International Leadership Academy

Dr. Tunji Arowolo is a visionary leader who is driven to improve people's lives through education, having personally experienced its transformative effects. With over 25 years of extensive international management experience and a strong background in technology, he is a calm, determined, and thoughtful leader who inspires positive change in the world.

As the founder of Domfas International Leadership Academy, he is committed to building a community of lifelong learners who actively engage in their own development as leaders and make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.

In addition to his work at the academy, Dr. Arowolo is the current Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at CampusWorks Inc, a company dedicated to making higher education affordable in North America. He also works as an Adjunct Associate Professor, teaching and mentoring graduate students at the University of the Cumberland, Kentucky, U.S.A

Dr. Arowolo holds a PhD in Applied Management and Decision Sciences from Walden University, a Master’s degree in information assurance from the University of Dallas, a Bachelor of Science in Computer & Information Technology from DeVry University, Irving, Texas, and a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical/Electronic from the University of Ado-Ekiti. He holds various certifications, including Enterprise IT Governance (CGEIT), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), and Certified Information System Auditor (CISA), as well as other designations by the US National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security

Dr. Mohammed Tajo Othman

Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Kano State

GUEST SPEAKER

Dr. Mohammed Tajo Othman

Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Kano State

Alhaji Mohammed Tajo Othman is a distinguished professional with expertise in information science, technology, and customs modernization. He holds a PhD in Information Science (in view) from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and a Master's degree in Information Science from the same institution. With over three decades of experience, he has made significant contributions to various fields, including library science, customs service, and technology. As a seasoned technocrat, Mohammed has held various leadership positions, including Honourable Commissioner for Science, Technology, and Innovation in Kano State, Founder and CEO of BrowsePoint Nigeria Limited, and Special Adviser to the Governor of Kano State on Interior Matters. He has also served in various capacities in the Nigeria Customs Service, including Assistant Comptroller General and Zonal Coordinator. Mohammed is proficient in information communication technology and has expertise in customs modernization, risk management, and strategic planning. He has presented papers at national and international conferences and has traveled extensively to countries including the UK, US, China, and Saudi Arabia. Apart from his professional achievements, Mohammed is a sports enthusiast and enjoys tennis, swimming, and snooker. He is also an active participant in various associations and has a passion for reading. Currently, Mohammed serves as the Honourable Commissioner for Science, Technology, and Innovation in Kano State, where he continues to drive innovation and technological advancement in the state.

Paseal C. Njoku

Software Support and Operations Management

GUEST SPEAKER

Paseal C. Njoku

Software Support and Operations Management

Paseal C. Njoku has over five years of diverse professional experience. She is deeply committed to excellence in software support, operations management, and sustainable practices. With a background in Health Science, Paseal is passionate about using technology to drive societal progress and achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs). In her role as an Operations Associate, Paseal oversees various responsibilities, including office administration, facility management, and HR operations. She is known for her meticulous attention to detail and effective communication, which enables her to optimize workplace efficiency and foster a culture of excellence. Paseal has also shown leadership in managing software testing teams by ensuring high-quality deliverables and demonstrating exceptional communication skills and effective team collaboration. Outside of work, Paseal is actively engaged in personal pursuits such as exploring emerging technologies, volunteering for initiatives focused on human development, and advocating for sustainable practices.

Fenibo Fubara

Special Assistant on ICT to Rivers State Governor

GUEST SPEAKER

Fenibo Fubara

Special Assistant on ICT to Rivers State Governor

As SA to Rivers State Governor on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Fenibo Fubara Jnr dynamically combines technology expertise and visionary leadership to drive the state's digital transformation. With a solid foundation as a software engineer, Fenibo Fubara Jnr. has used his knowledge to build a successful career at the intersection of technology, education and job creation.

A cum laude major in Mechanical Engineering at Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Fenibo Fubara Jnr. has embarked on a journey to pioneer revolutionary advances in ICT. As the founder of Droomwork, Fenibo Fubara Jnr. led efforts to use technology to create hundreds of freelance job matchings to hundreds of African tech talents. His tenure as a former co-founder of Edtify highlights his commitment to improving the accessibility of education through digital platform. Fenibo Fubara Jnr. has also facilitated the training of over 8000 University students on various tech skills during his early days with Edtify

With a proven track record of innovation, collaboration and influence, He is dedicated to accelerating the state's tech landscape. Through his visionary leadership, he is poised to harness the power of ICT to improve governance, drive economic growth and empower Rivers State residents.

Adedoyin Kikelomo Adaranijo

Chief Executive Officer, Kyke Vintage Collection

GUEST SPEAKER

Adedoyin Kikelomo Adaranijo

Chief Executive Officer, Kyke Vintage Collection

Adedoyin Kikelomo Adaranijo is a serial entrepreneur with vast experience in business management and branding leveraging the power of technology as a catalyst to power business activities. She is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Kyke Vintage Collection, which is affiliated with Kykes Souvenir, a branch specializing in memorable and personalized souvenirs/ corporate gifts, and Business Gist with Kykes, a mentoring platform dedicated to fostering entrepreneurial growth and development.

Adedoyin has been instrumental in driving the growth and success of these ventures. Through strategic vision and operational excellence, she has established a strong market presence for Kyke Vintage Collection, while also playing a pivotal role in mentoring aspiring business leaders.

She holds a degree in Business Administration and five years of experience having worked as a Business Development Manager at Body Mechanic & Physiotherapy Centre. An Associate member of the Nigeria Institute of Management NIM.

She is a focused, innovative, passionate, result oriented, highly driven consummate and business development professional with a clear, logical mind and practical approach to problem solving and a drive to see things through to completion. She has a track record of successes in client management, business partnership to drive business growth. Adedoyin is dedicated to not only growing Kyke Vintage Collection but also to nurturing the next generation of business leaders.

Simeon Oyebola

Software Engineer

GUEST SPEAKER

Simeon Oyebola

Software Engineer

Name: Simeon Oyebola Simeon Oyebola, an extraordinary young software engineer, visionary entrepreneur, and tech aficionado who is reshaping the digital landscape.

Simeon Oyebola is a co-founder of Jekinraa, a revolutionary e-commerce platform that has transcended its original purpose to become a dynamic vendor-customer connector.. Contributed to the development of HAMORAH, a crowd-sourcing platform designed to celebrate and promote Ogun State's rich cultural heritage. The platform maintained by DEAG. He also contributed to the development of the first artisanal management platform in Nigeria Dukia Gold. Dukia Gold is an artisanal management platform used for managing natural/mineral resources . Simeon is also a co-founder of Thrively, a trailblazing thrifting application that's revolutionizing the thrifting industry in Nigeria, making it easier for businesses to thrive. This is one of his initiative in collaboration with NCS that got into the Technology Innovation Development Program with the Nigeria Computer Society Responding to NCS call for COVID 19 pandemic solution, A Tech Smartan team was formed by his supervisor to develop a COVID contact tracing application. Simeon was actively involved in the detection app, which was able to detect whether a user most likely have contacted the virus and also marks out places user have visited on a map.

Simeon has also mentored over 30 young tech enthusiasts at KIBO School during the first cohort of the TRY KIBO program. A program focused at developing africa tech talent for free. He worked with the likes of Ope Bukola the CEO of KIBO, Rob Cobb the curriculum manager at KIBO School and Hamzat Oluwaseun the community manager of KIBO School.

He got the award as the prestigious Youth Innovator of the Year from the Nigeria Computer Society during the 2023 NITMA.

He currently lead and manage skilled engineers at ZAP Africa, A cryptocurrency exchange platform that swaps cryptocurrencies for Naira in seconds and got featured by respectable publishers. ZAP within 3 months of their mobile app launch recorded a whooping sum of N2 billion Naira transaction volume. They aim at revolutionizing the move of digital currency and also aim at increasing the value of Naira globally.

At a very young age, he has contributed by collaborating with organizations in maintaining standard enterprise software with the likes of Accenture.

Solomon K. Yateghtegh

Digital Media Strategist, Academic Researcher, and Digital Technology Consultant

GUEST SPEAKER

Solomon K. Yateghtegh

Digital Media Strategist, Academic Researcher, and Digital Technology Consultant

Solomon Kershima Yateghtegh is a seasoned Digital Media Strategist, Academic Researcher, and Digital Technology Consultant with over 7 years of industry experience. His dynamic career has been marked by successful web and software development projects, alongside impactful digital marketing campaigns that have consistently driven brand growth and revenue.

Key Highlights:
- 7+ years of hands-on experience in digital media and marketing.
- Proven track record in web and software development.
- Expertise in crafting data-driven digital marketing strategies.
- Strong academic background with a passion for research and lecturing.
- Founder of SKYHUB NIGERIA, a digital media agency and Training Hub.
- A dedicated mentor and trainer, having nurtured over 10,000 talents in digital skills.

Solomon's approach combines meticulous research, data analysis, and creative thinking to achieve tangible results. His ability to identify key performance indicators (KPIs) and construct effective frameworks sets him apart. With a deep commitment to staying current with industry trends and technologies, Solomon is a valuable asset for organizations seeking digital excellence.

In summary, Solomon Kershima Yateghtegh is a respected professional known for delivering exceptional results and sharing knowledge to empower others in the digital landscape.

Tola Jimoh

Founder & Chief Information Security Officer, Cyber Strategy Consulting Inc. Canada

GUEST SPEAKER

Tola Jimoh

Founder & Chief Information Security Officer, Cyber Strategy Consulting Inc. Canada

Tola Jimoh is a seasoned expert in information security (cybersecurity) and Generative AI, with extensive experience spanning consulting, the private sector, educational institutions, and serving as a state security advisor to governments.

Tola has successfully established and maintained security programs for over 100 companies across diverse business sectors, ensuring alignment with their business objectives.

As a leader in technology and risk management, Tola is dedicated to helping professionals transition into cybersecurity, having mentored hundreds of individuals with great success.

Tola continues to provide security advice to international organizations and national entities and is a sought-after voice on global security issues. Currently, Tola is developing and implementing policies across various sectors in Africa and has partnered with several tertiary institutions in the USA, Canada, and Nigeria to build or enhance their information technology initiatives.

Recognizing the challenges associated with transitioning into tech/cybersecurity, Tola is on a mission to drive the empowerment of people and businesses through Managed Security Services and Information Security Trainings, one country at a time.

Uduakobong Ekanem

Handong Global University, Republic of South Korea

GUEST SPEAKER

Uduakobong Ekanem

Handong Global University, Republic of South Korea

Brief profile: Uduakobong Ekanem has worked in the Nigerian public sector as a computer analyst for close to 10 years, serving in the department of ICT, Project Management Office of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2020 (FCSSIP'21) and the Service Innovation Department of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

Uduak is now a Doctoral candidate of ICT Convergence in the Department of Advanced Convergence, Handong Global University in Korea. Her research interests are in enterprise blockchain and eGovernment Convergence for public sector optimisation as well as cyber security for digital transformation.

She is interested in exploring technologies and approaches that can enhance secure public service delivery, with Nigeria as her primary focus.

Oluwatoyin Odutola

Relationship Manager OFI, Nigeria Interbank Settlement System, Nigeria

GUEST SPEAKER

Oluwatoyin Odutola

Relationship Manager OFI, Nigeria Interbank Settlement System, Nigeria

International Conference on
Technological Solutions for Smart Economy

Venue: Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Date: 12 to 15 August 2024