Obafemi Awolowo University: The Cradle of Nigerian Tech Titans
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) isn't just another higher institution in Nigeria. its more than just that, It's a place where brilliant minds are transformed into tech leaders. Founded in 1961, OAU has a long history of academic excellence. But OAU goes beyond textbooks. It encourages students to be creative, challenge ideas, and turn their ideas into businesses.
OAU's legacy stretches back to 1962, a beacon of academic excellence that has nurtured generations of scholars and thinkers. But within its walls lies a unique ecosystem that fosters something far more potent – the entrepreneurial spirit. Here, students aren't confined to textbooks. They're encouraged to push boundaries, challenge norms, and explore the possibilities that lie dormant within them.
The OAU experience is a potent blend of academic rigor and raw, unbridled creativity. The facilities, education system, and faculty members may not always be top-of-the-line (a reality for many public institutions), but this is more than compensated for by the vibrant student unionism that thrives on campus. Here, students connect, share dreams, and discover the power of co-creation. Collaboration isn't just encouraged; it's the lifeblood of the OAU spirit.
This collaborative spirit extends far beyond the physical campus walls. OAU boasts a powerful alumni network, a force that transcends generations. Established tech titans who once walked these very halls readily extend their support to budding entrepreneurs. Often, the first investment a fledgling OAU startup receives comes from a fellow alumnus, a testament to the unwavering strength of the OAU community.
Let's go deeper into the stories of some of these remarkable OAU alumni who are shaping the Nigerian tech landscape:
Tosin Eniolorunda (Moniepoint): Inspired by the challenges of Nigeria's digital payment system, Eniolorunda, armed with an entrepreneurial spirit honed at OAU, went on to establish TeamApt (now Moniepoint). This fintech giant processes billions in transactions, empowering businesses and consumers alike. Moniepoint has been a major player in the fintech industry, racking up awards and achieving impressive growth. Recognized as a promising startup in 2022, they've gone on to win awards for financial inclusion and be named Africa's second-fastest growing company. They've also secured funding in multiple rounds, with the latest being a $50 million pre-series C. This financial muscle translates to real-world results: Moniepoint processed a staggering $43 billion in transactions in Q1 of 2023 and is on track to surpass an annual run rate of $170 billion. The company's leadership has played a key role in this success, reducing processing failures and downtime. Moniepoint isn't just focused on its growth, they're also investing in promising African startups, with a recent $3 million injection into Payday demonstrating its commitment to fostering innovation on the continent.
Funke Opeke (MainOne): Opeke witnessed firsthand the struggle for reliable internet connectivity in Nigeria. This realization, coupled with the problem-solving skills nurtured at OAU, led her to create MainOne, a telecom giant that bridges the digital divide across West Africa, fostering economic growth and societal progress. Opeke's leadership has been instrumental in establishing MainOne's data center, one of Nigeria's largest, and expanding their reach into Cameroon. Her dedication has been recognized through prestigious awards, solidifying her position as a powerful figure in African technology. Opeke's journey, from student to telecom giant CEO, exemplifies problem-solving skills and unwavering commitment to improving internet connectivity across West Africa.
Yinka Adewale (Nomba) and Ayodeji Adewuyi (Nomba): A powerful duo, Adewale and Adewuyi co-founded Kudi, a revolutionary mobile money transfer platform. Their vision, shaped by OAU's collaborative spirit, empowers millions of Nigerians to manage their finances with ease. Their journey began in 2016, borne from a personal frustration with traditional banking. Kudi.ai, their initial chatbot for money transfers and bills, was a stepping stone. Recognizing the vast number of unbanked Nigerians, they pivoted to create Kudi, a comprehensive mobile money transfer platform. Kudi, now known as Nomba, has become a trusted everyday tool for millions of Nigerians, providing financial inclusion through money transfers, bill payments, and cash access. Adewale, Nomba's CEO, highlights their humble beginnings, starting with a $25k investment during his university days. Their determination has since secured them over $30 million in funding. From students to fintech pioneers, Adewale and Adewuyi's journey exemplifies their problem-solving skills and unwavering commitment to financial empowerment for millions of Nigerians. Their work continues to foster economic growth and societal progress.
Opeyemi Awoyemi ("Opeawo") (Jobberman) and Oluseye Awolowo (Jobberman): This pair isn't just one, but two OAU success stories! Together, they co-founded Jobberman, a leading online job marketplace (which has been acquired), and Whogohost, a dominant player in the web hosting industry, currently the best web hosting company in Nigeria. Both ventures test the combined power of tech prowess and business acumen cultivated at OAU.
Abiola Olaniran (Gamesole): The founder and CEO of Gamsole, a Nigerian mobile game development company founded in 2012. Gamsole’s games have been downloaded over 10 million times and focus on a global audience rather than just a Nigerian market. Olaniran is a computer science graduate and has won awards including the Microsoft Imagine Cup and Samsung Developer Challenge.
Olaoluwa Awojodu (Yep!): A force in Africa's fintech space, dedicated to advancing financial inclusion. Leading the Fintech CEO's Forum in Nigeria, he has been instrumental in shaping the sector for over a decade. His pivotal role in establishing Cashenvoy, one of Nigeria's first payment gateways in 2009, paved the way for modern payment services in the country, reflecting his commitment to driving innovation and progress in Africa's financial technology landscape.
Fikayo Ogundipe (Propertypro): Leveraging his technical expertise honed at OAU, Ogundipe disrupted the real estate sector by founding PropertyPro. This platform connects Nigerians with their dream homes, streamlining the property search process and transforming the industry.
Sultan Akintunde ("HackSultan") (Altschool & TalentQL): Sultan embodies the very essence of OAU's spirit of versatility and innovation. His academic journey veering from geography to computer science didn't hinder him. Akintunde co-founded TalentQL and AltschoolAfrica. These ventures are dedicated to harnessing talent and bridging the educational divide across Africa. TalentQL hires, develops, and manages tech talent remotely for companies, primarily serving the business industry5. The platform has over 100 tech experts and more than 2,000 developers catering to clients from the United States, Nigeria, Europe, and Kenya6. TalentQL is dedicated to creating boundless opportunities for tech talents in the global market
Clinton Oyelami (SwfytPay): As the CEO of Swyftpay, Oyelami’s Swyftpay provides a fast, affordable, and secure payment solution that enables users to transact in local Nigerian Naira and receive money in USD, GBP, EUR, and digital currencies.
Seun Osewa (Nairaland): Seun's story may not be the traditional tech path, but his online community, Nairaland, is a game-changer. Founded by this OAU alumnus, Nairaland serves as a virtual melting pot of ideas, fostering dialogue, engagement, and empowerment across Nigeria and beyond.
Razaq Ahmed (Cowrywise): While many focus on spending, Razaq Ahmed, another OAU graduate, saw the need for saving and wise investment. He founded Cowrywise, a platform that helps Nigerians save and invest their money wisely instead of leaving it for inflation in the bank.
Dr. Femi Kuti (Reliance Health) and his cofounder Opeyemi Olumekun founded Reliance Health is changing the healthcare sector in emerging markets. The company has raised a remarkable $40 million in a Series B funding round, the largest of its kind in African healthtech. Reliance Health is expanding its reach with a global team of 400 experts, having launched in Egypt in 2022. The company boasts a vibrant provider ecosystem with over 2600 health providers and 1200 hospitals in their network. Serving 1600 global corporate customers.
SeamlessHR, a robust, cloud-based, end-to-end HR software, was founded by Emmanuel Okeleji and Deji Lana. Since its inception, the company has achieved several significant milestones. In 2023, under the visionary leadership of Okeleji and Lana, SeamlessHR successfully processed a staggering N500 billion ($311.2 million) worth of payroll for diverse African businesses.
Femi Akinde (SlimTrader): This OAU alumnus isn't afraid of a challenge. He co-founded SlimTrader, a technology platform that empowers African businesses, particularly in the travel and hospitality sector. Their hosted technology streamlines operations and SlimTrader even received a cool $1 million investment from Nigeria's fintech giant, Interswitch.
Rasheed Kareem (D-Aggregate): He’s the co-founder of D-aggregate, D-aggregate is a company that provides data-driven solutions to help businesses make informed decisions. They offer expertise in building AI solutions with generative AI models
Kelvin Umechukwu (Bumpa): Ever wished for an all-in-one solution for your small business? Look no further than Bumpa, created by OAU graduate Kelvin Umechukwu. Bumpa allows you to create an online store, manage inventory, and receive payments – all right on your phone! Recently, Bumpa reached a major milestone by partnering with Meta (owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) to make selling even faster and easier.
Chowdeck Trio (Femi Aluko, Lanre Yusuf, and Olumide Ojo): This powerhouse team – Femi Aluko, Lanre Yusuf, and Olumide Ojo – forged a strong bond during their OAU days. They all became Principal Engineers at the renowned Paystack before launching their impressive venture, Chowdeck, together. They're even considered part of the prestigious "Paystack Mafia." Chowdeck is a testament to the power of collaboration, building a platform that provides technology solutions specifically for businesses.
The list of OAU alumni making waves in Nigerian tech keeps growing. From fintech giants to online communities and business enablers, the spirit of innovation and collaboration fostered at OAU continues to inspire a new generation of tech leaders.
Every day at OAU, the echoes of innovation reverberate across its campus. This university is more than just a place to learn – it's a breeding ground for Nigerian tech titans, a symbol of how education and community can fuel groundbreaking ideas. As Nigeria's tech scene keeps growing, one thing is for sure: the amazing spirit of OAU will keep inspiring and empowering future generations of tech leaders who will change the world.
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