Tech Mentor of the Year: Honoured and Humbled by the Recognition

I’m deeply honored to have been nominated for—and to win—the first-ever Tech Mentor of the Year award.

I am truly humbled.

This award is one of the key new categories introduced at the annual National Information Technology Merit Awards (NITMA), organized by the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS). As the umbrella organization for IT professionals and stakeholders in Nigeria, the NCS, without doubt, plays a pivotal role in fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and recognition within the country’s technology sector. Since 2009, NITMA has essentially served as a national platform to celebrate outstanding achievements in IT. It therefore promotes a culture of tech excellence essential for true digital independence.

The celebration of success stories and ICT achievers, along with high-level recognition of impressive accomplishments, inspires others in the field. It encourages similar achievements, and fosters innovation. Continued and sustainable progress in the sector is the goal. It requires recognizing and celebrating those who excel in industry, academia, government, and civil society. Through its various award categories, NITMA highlights these achievements. Notably, the Tech Mentor of the Year and Cybersecurity Advocate of the Year awards were new additions in 2024.

This recognition as Tech Mentor of the Year is not just about me. It’s a celebration of mentorship and the profound impact it has on shaping the future of the tech industry. This award belongs to all mentors! It’s for all who dedicate their time and expertise to support and uplift others in the tech community.

A Moment of Gratitude: Inaugural Tech Mentor of the Year

First, I want to express my deepest gratitude to God for His guidance and blessings. This achievement would not have been possible without the unwavering support of so many people. My family, especially, have always been there for me.

To the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS): thank you for recognizing the vital role mentorship within the tech sector. It is critical to fostering innovation, growth, and collaboration in this space. The introduction of the Tech Mentor of the Year award as part of the NITMA is a first. It marks the first time this specific recognition has been presented in Nigeria. This initiative highlights NCS’s profound understanding of the transformative power of mentorship in shaping the future of technology in Nigeria.

Your dedication to empowering leaders and driving change is truly inspiring. Through this inaugural Tech Mentor of the Year award, the NCS has set a benchmark for impactful mentorship. NCS is also simultaneously encouraging others to embrace mentoring roles. This award is a testament to the commitment of NCS to nurturing talent and fostering innovation. It increases interest in mentorship, encouraging greater collaboration and partnerships between established tech professionals and emerging talent.

My Fellow Nominees

To my fellow nominees: you are all incredible champions in your own right. It was an honor to be nominated alongside you. Your contributions to the tech space continue to inspire me and so many others. The spirit of mentorship you embody is evident in your dedication, undeniable impact, and efforts to foster innovation and inclusion. Your desire is not only to transform the lives of your mentees. That you also contribute meaningfully to the broader tech environment is truly commendable.

To my mentees: this award is a testament to your achievements and growth. It’s your success that inspires me every day. I am deeply grateful to my numerous mentors for the roles they have played in my journey. In many ways, I remain a mentee myself. My journey has been as a mentee and mentor. Throughout this journey, I’ve witnessed firsthand how guidance and encouragement can transform careers and spark innovation. Every mentor in the tech space contributes to a legacy of collaboration and progress. This recognition belongs to all of us who invest in others.

Finally, to everyone who campaigned, encouraged, supported, and took the time to vote for me—as well as my colleagues who tirelessly championed my cause—your belief in me means the world. Indeed, you made this win possible, and I don’t take it for granted. I am deeply grateful.

Tech Mentor of the Year Award – NCS Elevates Mentorship in Tech

Mentorship in tech is often underappreciated, but the NCS has clearly positioned it as a vital tool for growth in the tech sector. Misconceptions about its impact, the fast-paced nature of the industry, and a focus on individual achievement over collaborative growth have contributed to its undervaluation.

As the premier IT professional association, NCS not only celebrates achievements but also sets the pace for innovation, excellence, and recognition. This commitment is reflected in the creation of new and relevant award categories like the Tech Mentor of the Year Award. By doing so, NCS ensures that Nigeria’s tech sector continues to remain relevant and thrive. It’s about contributing meaningfully to the nation’s digital independence and global competitiveness.

Prior to 2024, recognition for tech mentors in Nigeria was often integrated into broader technology awards or subsumed within other tech or leadership categories. The NCS’s establishment of a dedicated “Tech Mentor of the Year” award signifies a crucial advancement in independently acknowledging and honouring the vital role mentorship plays within Nigeria’s technology sector.

The Power of Mentorship

This award serves as a powerful reminder of the immense value mentorship brings to the tech community. In this innovation era, while digital infrastructure and technical skills are essential, they are not enough to achieve meaningful impact without strong guidance and collaboration. Mentorship fosters growth, builds confidence, and inspires the present and next generations to reach their potential.

The value of mentorship has become increasingly evident in today’s tech landscape, which is defined by a high demand for specialized skills and the inherently collaborative nature of the field. Collaboration—whether among individuals, organizations, industries, governments, academia, or civil society—is fundamental in this space. These dynamics, combined with the rapid pace of innovation, highlight the critical role of mentorship.

The inaugural Tech Mentor of the Year Award is more than a recognition—it is a significant milestone with profound implications for Nigeria’s tech environment. This recognition of mentorship as a pillar of the tech sector sets a powerful precedent, inspiring the next generation of mentors.

The award encourages companies, startups, government, non governmental and tech organizations to integrate mentorship into their structures. The power of mentorship lies in its ability to foster a culture of collaboration, trust, knowledge-sharing, idea generation, guidance, and encouragement. In doing so, it therefore prioritizes collective growth over competition—a strength the tech sector urgently needs.

Recognizing and rewarding mentors for their contributions to the ecosystem fosters a mentorship culture that will shape the future of technology in Nigeria and unlock the tech community’s full potential. This award is a call to mentors to continue serving as role models, motivating others to pursue careers in tech and develop innovative solutions.

Kudos to the NCS for its visionary leadership and tireless commitment to advancing the tech sector!

My Journey to becoming Tech Mentor of the Year

It seems, seemingly out of nowhere, recognition found me. I had no inkling that I had been nominated, nor did I know about the nomination process. Without seeking it, I was nominated, and my colleagues voted for me to win Nigeria’s first-ever Technology Mentor of the Year award. Wow!

This achievement not only validates my impact but also highlights the deep respect my work has garnered. The quality and consistency of my actions in mentoring, the tangible impact on mentees and the tech community, and my alignment of mentoring and advocacy with broader goals of innovation, inclusion, and collaboration are at the heart of this recognition.

Technology mentoring and advocacy have always grounded me. I didn’t know where this path would lead, but it has always been about staying true to myself and being passionate about closing real gaps in the tech space. The impact I strive to create stems from knowledge-exchange, showcasing possibilities, demystifying technology, and fostering innovative thinking—all of which I am deeply committed to.

Furthermore, my aim has always been to attract more talent, investment, and innovation to the sector—not just for digital transformation, but for transformation that inspires the next generation of tech leaders and innovators. Mentorship doesn’t just contribute to the sector; it is key to unlocking our potential as a nation.

Insight: For Others on the Journey

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: Stay rooted in your purpose, even when the path ahead feels uncertain—because roadblocks are inevitable. Remain open, reflective, and willing to evolve.

Looking Ahead as Tech Mentor of the Year

This high point is not the end—it’s a call to do more. This win is not an end in itself. It has reinvigorated my commitment to creating opportunities for the present and next generation of tech leaders. It marks the beginning of another chapter—the start of even greater efforts to support and uplift others.

Our future steps must be rooted in purposeful action. This award should serve as a catalyst for wider change. Working with others, we can build systems and initiatives within tech that thrive on mentorship, collaboration, and groundbreaking ideas.

As a technology and innovation policy advisor, mentorship aligns closely with the broader objectives of technology and innovation policy. It fosters talent, bridges skills gaps, drives equitable growth, promotes inclusion, and accelerates innovation. For me, mentorship is an essential catalyst for tech-driven social and economic development.

It’s therefore important to continue and expand mentorship initiatives and embed mentorship into policies. We need to shape policies that make mentorship a core part of the tech sector.

We must never forget that this journey is about the communities, systems, and individuals we uplift. Most especially the present and coming generation of leaders in technology and innovation across Nigeria and Africa. Technology matters, but it’s always about people. I am more committed than ever to advancing mentorship. It is a pillar of growth for young and old tech professionals in Nigeria and beyond.

This is just the beginning of the journey. I look forward to sharing more about my vision and plans and following through in the future. Stay tuned and join me in building a stronger mentorship culture in tech.

Let’s Keep Working Together to:

Promote innovation and creativity.

Inspire aspiring and emerging leaders in technology.

Build a supportive community that celebrates collective success.

Final Thoughts

I thank everyone who has been part of this journey with me—for your trust, encouragement, and belief in the power of mentorship. This win is a win for all of us. Let’s continue to invest in mentorship, collaboration, and innovation. It’s time to invest in one another, because together, we can achieve great things.