Success Stories
Dr. Amina Salisu
As a legal scholar specializing in data protection and digital rights, I joined ITA to connect my research with real-world policy. Within my first year, I was selected to co-chair a subcommittee on data governance. Through this role, I collaborated with government agencies to shape Nigeria’s draft data privacy framework. Publishing through ITA’s policy portal elevated my credibility, and I’ve since consulted with the African Union on harmonizing tech policy across borders.
Grace Oparaugo
joined ITA to push for gender equity in tech. Through the Diversity Council, I launched an initiative to teach coding and AI basics to young women in rural communities. ITA’s badge system and events gave our initiative national attention. Today, we’ve trained 400+ women and formed public-private partnerships with edtech companies. I’ve also been invited to represent ITA at UNESCO’s Women in Tech forum
Tunde Onanuga
Running a fast-growing digital payments startup, I needed to ensure compliance and credibility. ITA gave me that platform. Through the Fintech Council, I attended closed-door briefings with regulators and helped design the sandbox framework for emerging fintechs. This network helped us secure Series A funding, with investor confidence boosted by my verified ITA membership and policy engagement.
Kelechi Maduka
Working in AI product development, I wanted to contribute to ethical guidelines that protect users. ITA provided a unique space where technologists and ethicists collaborate. I co-authored ITA’s AI Ethics Handbook and now lead internal audits on bias in algorithmic systems for regional clients. Being part of the Research Council has helped me set standards that others in the region now adopt.
Fola Adeyemo
After transitioning from corporate to startup life, I needed mentorship and policy guidance. ITA paired me with a senior product strategist through its mentorship program. I also presented my solution at the ITA Demo Day, which led to advisory support from seasoned CIOs. My health-tech startup now serves over 12,000 users, and I actively mentor new founders through the same council that shaped me.
Engr. Yahya Kazeem
My agency sought to digitize public records across ministries. ITA was instrumental. Through the Smart Governance Council, I engaged with private sector experts and developed a cross-ministerial roadmap for digital transformation. Our collaboration with ITA helped unlock a federal tech grant and initiated an inter-agency AI training program. This isn’t just networking—it’s nation-building.
Tomi Adewunmi
As a tech journalist covering AI, quantum, and blockchain, I was often at the fringes of technical conversations. Joining ITA changed that. I was invited to moderate panels, publish insight reports, and contribute to ITA’s Emerging Tech Digest. Today, I’m regarded as one of the region’s leading voices on responsible tech journalism—and I mentor aspiring communicators through ITA’s innovation bootcamps.
Chinedu Mba
My firm was developing a decentralized identity solution for African governments. We needed both exposure and partnership. ITA gave us both. Through its Global Affairs Council, I joined delegations to Geneva and Dubai, meeting with World Bank and UNDP stakeholders. Those meetings led to a pilot project now serving over 500,000 citizens across two West African countries.
Ifeoma Nwachukwu
As a cybersecurity lead for a multinational, I joined ITA to stay ahead of threats and contribute to standards. The Council provided access to real-time threat intelligence and a space to share local challenges with global counterparts. I led a national training campaign on ransomware resilience through ITA, and we’ve since trained security officers from 40+ public and private organizations.
Jide Akinlabi
My role as General Counsel at a major tech firm meant staying compliant with shifting laws. Through ITA’s Legal Affairs Council, I helped draft a compliance framework for startups and participated in workshops for regulators. Our legal team now benchmarks against ITA’s code of ethics, and we’ve reduced regulatory friction by 40% across our operating jurisdictions.
