Fresh from her recognition at the 2024 BAT International Innovation Awards, where she received the Data Innovation Excellence Award, Olufunke Akande stands out as a leader in the global technology landscape. Her career is built on a foundation of transforming complex technological challenges into opportunities for growth and efficiency. With deep expertise spanning software development, system administration, and data analytics, she has consistently driven impactful, data-informed strategies. Her journey reflects a commitment to not only mastering technology but also applying it to create significant, large-scale solutions.
Ms. Akande’s exceptional track record was solidified during her time in Nigeria, where she played a crucial role in shaping the nation’s digital infrastructure. As a key figure at the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN), she was instrumental in managing one of the largest MPLS networks, a project that provided high-speed connectivity to over 500,000 users across academic and research institutions. In this capacity, she led diverse teams, developed critical network reports, and implemented robust security measures that ensured unparalleled reliability. Before this, at the National Universities Commission (NUC), she spearheaded pioneering IT projects and established advanced security protocols, showcasing her ability to lead and innovate from the ground up. Her recent research contributions, with publications on decentralized AI frameworks, blockchain for privacy-preserving data analytics, and explainable AI in healthcare, further underscore her position as a thought leader at the intersection of technology and public good.

READ ALSO: BAT Most Influential Women In Tech In Nigeria
A Conversation with Olufunke Akande
Following her recent award, we spoke with Olufunke Akande to discuss her career, her contributions to technology in Nigeria and beyond, and her vision for the future.
BAT Media: Congratulations on the 2024 BAT International Innovation Award for Data Innovation Excellence! What does this recognition, which celebrates African talent on a global stage, mean to you personally and professionally?
Olufunke Akande: Thank you. It is a profound honor. For me, this award is much more than a personal achievement; it’s a validation of a journey that began with a deep curiosity about how technology could solve tangible problems. Professionally, it shines a light on the critical importance of data in shaping our future. It reinforces the idea that the work we do in designing systems, ensuring data integrity, and building secure networks is fundamental to innovation. Personally, as a Nigerian, it is incredibly meaningful. It represents a celebration of the talent and resilience that exists within the continent. I hope it serves as an inspiration for other young technologists in Africa to pursue their ambitions with conviction, knowing that their contributions can and will be recognized on a global scale.
Q1: Your work with the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN) was monumental, connecting over half a million users. Can you share a defining experience from that project that shaped your approach to large-scale technological implementation?
Olufunke Akande: The NgREN project was a defining chapter in my career. The sheer scale was one thing, but the true challenge was the human element. We were coordinating with numerous universities, government bodies, and vendors. A key moment for me was navigating a complex integration issue that threatened to delay a major rollout. It required not just technical troubleshooting but intense collaboration and communication to align all stakeholders. That experience taught me that technology implementation at that scale is fundamentally about building bridges, both literally with networks and figuratively between people. It cemented my belief that successful project leadership lies at the intersection of technical expertise and empathetic, clear communication. You can have the best technology, but without collective buy-in and a shared vision, its impact will always be limited.
Q2: Your recent publications delve into advanced topics like decentralized AI and blockchain for healthcare. What motivated this shift towards health information systems, and what potential do you see for this technology in regions like sub-Saharan Africa?
Olufunke Akande: My interest in healthcare was sparked by a desire to apply my skills to an area with profound human impact. In many parts of the world, including sub-Saharan Africa, health data is often fragmented, siloed, and inaccessible. This hinders everything from patient care to public health policy. I saw an opportunity to explore how emerging technologies like blockchain and federated learning could address these core challenges by enabling secure, transparent, and privacy-preserving data sharing. The potential is immense. Imagine a system where a rural clinic can securely share patient data with a specialist in a major city, or where researchers can analyze anonymized data from across the continent to predict and manage disease outbreaks. My research is about laying the architectural groundwork for these possibilities to build more equitable and effective healthcare ecosystems.
Q3: Your career shows a unique ability to merge deep technical knowledge with a strong commercial and strategic mindset. How do you approach translating complex technical projects into measurable business outcomes like revenue growth and market expansion?
Olufunke Akande: I’ve always believed that technology does not exist in a vacuum. Its value is only realized when it solves a problem or creates an opportunity. My approach is to always start with the “why.” Why are we building this? Who does it serve? What value does it create? I make it a point to understand the business landscape as deeply as I understand the system architecture. This means speaking the language of stakeholders, whether they are in finance, marketing, or operations. When you can clearly articulate how a network upgrade will reduce downtime and increase productivity, or how a data analytics platform can uncover new customer segments, you transform a technical project into a strategic investment. It’s about building a narrative that connects the ones and zeros to the bottom line.
Q4: As a Nigerian professional who has made significant contributions both at home and internationally, what is your perspective on the role of the African diaspora in driving global technological advancement?
Olufunke Akande: I see the African diaspora as a powerful force for global innovation. We bring a unique duality of perspective, an understanding of global best practices combined with an intrinsic grasp of the specific challenges and opportunities that exist on the continent. This allows us to act as bridges, transferring knowledge, fostering collaborations, and championing investments. My journey has been about leveraging the world-class education and experience I have gained to build solutions that are globally relevant. I believe there is a growing recognition that the next wave of technological breakthroughs will come from diverse minds solving diverse problems. The diaspora is uniquely positioned to lead in this new era, not just by participating in the conversation, but by setting the agenda.
Q5: Beyond your corporate and research roles, you are passionate about mentorship and thought leadership. Why is this important to you, and what is the core message you hope to impart to the next generation of IT leaders?
Olufunke Akande: Mentorship is my way of paying it forward. I stand on the shoulders of those who guided me, and I have a responsibility to offer the same support to others. Technology is constantly evolving, and navigating a career in this field can be daunting. Thought leadership is an extension of that; it’s about sharing insights and starting conversations that can help shape the industry’s future in a responsible and ethical way. My core message to the next generation is this: cultivate relentless curiosity and build a diverse toolkit. Do not limit yourself to one domain. Understand the technology, but also understand the business, the people, and the societal context in which you operate. True leadership isn’t just about being the most skilled engineer in the room; it’s about having the vision to see how all the pieces connect and the ability to inspire others to build that future with you.
Conclusion:
Our conversation with Olufunke Akande has been nothing short of inspiring. Her journey, from architecting foundational digital networks in Nigeria to pioneering research at the forefront of global innovation, is a powerful narrative of vision and impact. It is precisely this caliber of talent that Bridge Africa Technologies seeks to honor, and her selection for the Data Innovation Excellence Award is a clear affirmation of her exceptional contributions. Ms. Akande’s story serves as a brilliant example for aspiring technologists everywhere, especially the youth in Nigeria and across Africa. It is a testament to the fact that with dedication, a collaborative spirit, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge, one can indeed shape the future of technology, creating solutions that resonate from a local community to a global stage. We thank her for her time and invaluable insights.