Line up of 2018 Speakers
Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta,Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Office (EVC/CEO),Nigerian Communications Commission.
Born in Danbatta Local Government Council of Kano State, Prof. Danbatta obtained his BEng, MSc degrees from the Technical University of Wroclaw in Poland and his PhD from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) UK respectively.
He has served as a lecturer in the Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Technology of Bayero University Kano for 28 years, where he taught courses in telecommunications engineering and electronics and held academic positions of Dean of the Faculty and Head of Department at different times. His main administrative responsibilities, in the university, included Deputy and Acting Dean of Students’ Affairs, Administrator of the Works Department and later, Director of the Centre for Information Technology (CIT).
He was also a member of over 60 University committees and task forces, including numerous stints as Chairman. In administrative and other responsibilities outside the university, he has served on over 20 committees, prominent among which was his Chairmanship of the Implementation Committee of Kano State University of Science & Technology, after which he became its pioneer Deputy and Acting Vice-Chancellor when it took off in 2001.
Prof. Danbatta has supervised more than 60 PhD, MEng and BEng projects in diverse areas of telecommunications and has also served as external examiner to seven universities and polytechnics and is an assessor, technical reviewer and editorial member to eight research journals. He has to his credit more than 50 articles in journals, conference proceedings and technical reports. He is also the author of a six-chapter, 167-page book titled Elements of Static Engineering Electromagnetics.
He is a recipient of 18 distinguished awards and certificates of honour. Prof. Danbatta has served two terms of five years as a Member of Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), and is also a COREN registered engineer and member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE).
He was the Vice President of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), International Centre for Advanced Communications Studies, which was established in the year 2004 by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to build capacity for the Nigerian/African telecom industry in the diverse areas of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). While at DBI he has developed expertise in the following major areas of ICT implementation, policy and regulation:
- Regulation of the Telecommunications Sector of the Nigerian Economy;
- Competition, Interconnection and Price Regulations in a Developing Economy;
- Issues concerning Authorization of Telecommunications Services in a Developing Economy;
- Strategies for ensuring Universal Access and Service to Telecommunications Services;
- Strategies towards Effective Spectrum Management in a Developing Economy;
- Issues on Institutional and Legal Framework for Effective Regulation of Telecommunications Services; and
- New and Emerging Technologies and Impact on Regulation of the Telecommunications Sector of a Developing Economy.
Until his appointment as the EVC, Prof. Danbatta, who recently served as a member of the Implementation Committee of the Northwest University Kano, served as the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the Kano University of Science & Technology, Wudil.
Dr. Audrey Verhaeghe
Chairman,SA Innovation Summit,South Africa
Dr Verhaeghe’s career spans over 20 years. She is CEO of the Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability (RIIS) and championed the SA Innovation Network (Saine). She spearheaded the commercialisation of the SA Innovation Summit as an Southern African Institution and main innovation event for the country. RIIS was born out of a passion for the successful implementation of innovation. It is based on the recognition that our future impact, economic growth and overall sustainability will depend on how well we are able to develop our own innovative capabilities as well as harness the innovative opportunities that present itself in the organisations we work for. The need for organisations to instill continuous corporate renewal has become imperative for their sustainability in the environment and industries of the future.
Audrey’s most recent passion in business is for Open innovation as Great minds think outside. RIIS has an agreement with NineSigma, the world’s largest Open Innovation platform, to bring the concept and tools of Open Innovation to South Africa.
Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Business Sustainability are Audrey’s primary focus areas in business. She has been an adjudicator at various innovation competitions. Innovation projects include strategy, audits, surveys, consulting, implementations, research, and training.
She has published a number of articles and conference papers on innovation as a business process. Some examples of the publications are:
- Innovation is the Mother of Interventions. Sunday Times. May 2001
- Measuring Innovation in a Knowledge Intensive Technology Organisation, R&D Management Journal, 2002
- Lessons Learnt from Innovators. CPSI. 2004
- Social Innovation. Knowledge Resources Conference. 2007
- Innovation Builds our Nation. SA Innovator. 2007
- Developing a Sustainability Index for Knowledge Driven Organisations. Business Today. 2010
- Leading Innovation- Creating Africa’s Competitive Edge. Mail and Guardian 2012
Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami,DG/CEO of NITDA
Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) hails from Pantami District of Gombe State. Prior to his appointment, he worked as an Academic in various capacities. He completed both his Primary and Secondary Education in Gombe State with excellent results. He attended Federal University of Technology Bauchi (popularly known as Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University) from 1996 – 2001 where he obtained his first degree of BTech in Computer Science. He also obtained an MSc in Computer Science (2008) and MBA in Technology Management (2010) from the same University. In addition, he ob¬tained his PhD in Computer Information Systems and Post Graduate Certificate in Research Methods from the prestigious Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom. He is a CCNA certified professional .
He lectured at the Federal University of Technology Bauchi, Nigeria for over a decade. He taught courses such as Multimedia, Software Engineering, Hardware Technology, Software Technology, Fundamentals of Software Engineering, Advance Programming languages, Management Information Systems, and Geographic Information Systems, among others. He also supervised over 8 postgraduate and over 100 undergraduate students. Furthermore, he held many positions in the Faculty and was a member of 4 major University committees constituted by the University Council.
In 2014, Dr Isa moved to the International Islamic University of Madinah where he served as an Associate Professor and Head of Technical Writing. He also taught courses such as Operations Research, Software Engineering, Information Systems Application and Principles of Marketing. He was also the Secretary and member of three major committees: University Accreditation Committee, Staff Training and Development Committee, and Information Technology Committee.
Dr Isa has attended various capacity building programmes such as “Driving Strategic Innovation and Achieving High Performance throughout the Value Chain” at the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) Switzerland in collaboration with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, USA. In addition, he also attended special training on “Digital Transformation” at Harvard University, USA..
His outstanding professionalism and integrity earned him the highest recognition in the global IT industry: The Fellowship of the British Computer Society (FBCS). He previously served as an IT consultant to many National industries..
Dr Isa is a recipient of many distinguished awards which includes but not limited to “ICT Promoter of the Year” awarded by the Nigerian News, “Pan Africa It Regulator of the Year” awarded by Centre for Cyber Awareness and Development, “Convergence Leaders Recognition Award” awarded at the West African Convergence Conference, “ICT CEO of the Year” awarded at the National Media and Information Technology Conference for Tertiary Institutions, “Nelson Mandela Leadership Award’’ for contributions to the development of ICT in Africa, “Covenant University Recognition Award’’ at the 4th Covenant University Conference on e-Governance in Nigeria, “University of Maiduguri Appreciation Award’’ for value support to the University, “Honorary Award’’ at the Inauguration Ceremony of the ISACA Lagos, Nigeria Board, “KPMG Appreciation Award” for contribution as a speaker at the 2017 KPMG Africa Cyber Security Conference, “Faculty Sustainable Award’’ at the 1st International Conference on ICT for National Development and its Sustainability, by the Faculty of Communication and Information Science, University of Ilorin and “Excellence In Leadership Award” by Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON).
Dr Isa has been a keynote speaker at both national and international ICT fora. For example, the most recent among them is the 11th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance (ICEGOV2018) organized by United Nations University (UN-EGOV) at the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG), where he delivered a Keynote Address on Nigeria’s Digital Transformation Agenda: NITDA’s Vision and Strategy. He was also the Keynote Speaker at the 13th international Conference on Electronics, Computers and Computation at Nile University of Nigeria (ICECCO2017) where he delivered a Keynote Address on Electronics, Computers and Computation: Nigeria’s Giant Strides at Developing the ICT Sector.
He has authored more than a dozen books on many areas ranging from Technology, Religion and Peaceful coexistence and over 15 publications in International Journals. The most recent publications include: (i) A New IoT Architecture for a Sustainable IoT Adoption, (ii) Towards Diversification of Nigeria Economy through Adoption of IoT for Smart and Precision Agriculture, (iii) A Model and Architecture for Building a Sustainable National Open Government Data (OGD) Portal, (iv) Client /Server Interface Monitoring and Management, (v) ICT Globalisation and an Analysis of e-Learning in Nigeria and the United Kingdom Universities, (vi) Technological Adoption of e-commerce in Nigeria, and (vii) Information and Communication Technology, a Tool for Fraud Prevention and Detection, among others.
Dr Isa has attended many international conferences, workshops and symposiums in Switzerland, England, France, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Dubai, Thailand, Kuwait, Egypt, Scotland, South Korea, USA, Republic of Ireland, UAE, Turkey, Rwanda, South Africa and India among others.
Since assuming office as the DG/CEO of NITDA, he has impacted his extensive knowledge and experience as a thoroughbred professional on the Nigerian IT Sector. His initiatives in the sector are largely responsible for the renewed vigour and focus in the industry. He has sustained an unprecedented level of professionalism and compliance in the sector.
He is a member of many professional bodies such as BCS, NCS, CPN, and CISCO Alumni.
Richard Ough
Economic Development Team Leader & Senior Economic Adviser, DFID Nigeria
Richard is an economist and international development practitioner with experience in the field since 2006.His work has spanned Nigeria’s economic reform issues, DFID’s own systems for project appraisal and Value for Money, and the UK’s interests in International Financial Institutions.
Stella Bida
Founder, Senior Managing Partner at Innovation. Strategy. Results. –Belgium
Stella Bida is an entrepreneur, Success Strategist, consultant, international speaker and author. Her natural entrepreneurial mindset allows her to step into chaotic situations and turn them into solutions – that is what drives her!
She has already shared her strategies globally,addressing more than 1.500 executives, CEOs and entrepreneurs across the world.She trains, coaches and speaks about topics related to leadership, entrepreneurship and success fulfilment.
During the past years, she has mainly worked with top international companies in different domains from the banking, finance, legal industry to event management or the hair &beauty industry.
Stella has been awarded multiple times for her various projects.As an example, she has been awarded at the Houses of Parliament in London by Mirela Sula, Editor in Chief of the Global Woman Magazine. With her investment as an entrepreneur, she has also received the first Afropreneur Award in Belgium.
Stella is on her quest to empower people to choose and decide to move forward for their success, no matter how they define it. Her mission is to give people around the world access to controlling their destiny.
Bobby Moroe:
Acting South African High Commissioner to the Nigeria
Bobby Moroe is the current Acting High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Prior to his appointment in the current position, he served the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) for 14 years in various positions such as the Head of Office of the Director General, Head of the Centre for Early Warning, Speech Writer to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, amongst others.
He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, an Honours Degree in International Relations and Political Science, a Master’s Degree in International Relations and Peace Studies, and currently studying towards a Master’s Degree in Diplomatic Studies, and a PhD in International Relations respectively. He is a recipient of numerous awards, including the Norwegian Peace Corps, and the Most Promising Diplomat. He has undertaken a number of diplomatic training programmes, in particular, European Union Diplomacy at the Spanish Institute for Diplomacy in Madrid, Spain, South Africa’s Foreign Policy at the Diplomatic Academy of South Africa, Pretoria, and the Foreign Policy of India, at the Indian Diplomatic Academy, in New Delhi. He served as Second and First Secretary Political, respectively, during his 5 years’ stint as a diplomat in the Republic of India.
He has delivered a number of unpublished papers on diplomacy, foreign policy imperatives, the effects of globalisation on Africa, gender and the role of women in leadership positions, amongst others.
The strategic objectives of his current position includes, but not limited to:
– Promoting trade and investment opportunities for South African and Nigerian, and position South Africa as a preferred investment and tourism destination for Nigerian nationals,
– Promote and encourage people to people movement, and cultural exchange programmes between the nationals of both South Africa and Nigeria.
– Promote sound, and mutually beneficial socio-economic and political relations, mutual respect and overall cooperation between South Africa and Nigeria.
– Oversee the overall strategic management and leadership of the South African High Commission in Abuja, and its Consulate in Lagos.
Mr Moroe remains committed to contribute in championing South Africa’s foreign policy, with a specific focus on strengthening relations between Nigeria and South Africa. He is a passionate scholar and writer with interest in comparative analysis of diplomatic relations, political ontology and epistemology, research and development, as well as continental politics. He has contributed immensely in the drafting process of various policy frameworks including the White Paper on South Africa’s Foreign Policy, Reform of South Africa’s Diplomatic Academy, Framework for Gender Equity, Framework for Employment Equity, including the establishment of the Centre for Early Warning of the Department of International relations and Cooperation.
Samuel Bwalya,Country Director for UNDP Nigeria
Samuel Bwalya, begun his tour of duty on Monday 12 June, 2017. As Country Director, working under the delegated authority of the UNDP Resident Representative and UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Samuel will assume responsibility and accountability for, and day-to-day management of all operational and programmatic activities of UNDP Nigeria. Before coming to Nigeria, Samuel served as Country Director for UNDP in Ethiopia.
Samuel started his UN career as an Economic Advisor in UNDP Ethiopia Country Office in 2011 before he was later appointed as Country Director for the same office in June 2013. He served in this capacity up until his deployment to Nigeria.
While in Ethiopia, Samuel spearheaded and led the formulation and implementation of key transformative and flagship programs in the area of environment and climate change, recovery and resilience building, forest sector development program, political and economic governance (including election support and support to democratic institutions programs) and poverty reduction and economic growth initiatives including UNDP flagship programs on agricultural transformation, entrepreneurship and private sector development, industrialization and agro-industrial parks initiatives among others.
Prior to joining the UN, Samuel was Director for corporate planning and research at the Zambia Revenue Authority (2006-2011) where he led tax and customs modernization initiatives and anchored delivery of tax policy advise to government on mining tax regimes and reforms. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines-Investment Holding (ZCCM-IH) and chaired its Audit Committee, was a member of the International Centre for taxation and development at Sussex University and a member of the African Economic Research Consortium. Between 1998-2006, Samuel was a lecturer of economics at The University of Zambia.
Samuel has wide experience in economic management and international development and has conducted research in several fields of the economics, political economy, taxation and tax administration systems, and on environment and natural resource management. His recent works include publications on comparative tax administration systems in Sub-Saharan Africa, forest economics, political economy (lobbying) of budgeting, fiscal strategies for growth and prosperity, and foreign direct investment and technology spillovers in the manufacturing sector.
Samuel Bwalya holds a PhD Degree in Economics from the University of Rhode Island (USA) and Masters and Bachelors degrees in Economics from Addis Ababa University and The University of Zambia respectively.
Jean Bakole,
Regional Director,United Nations Industrial Development Organization
(UNIDO) Nigeria
Engineer Professor Okechukwu Ukwuoma, a professor of Chemical Engineering and Project Management Technology was educated at the prestigious University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife where he obtained his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Chemical Engineering.
He once served as the Director, Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies of ESUT Business School, Lagos; Adjunct Professor of Environmental Management in the Department of Environmental Resources Management, Abia State University; Chairman, Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers, Enugu/Anambra/Ebonyi States. He is a visiting Professor of Project Management Technology, Federal University of Technology, Minna since 2014 to date.
Prof. Ukwuoma is a consultant in Project and Process Facilities Management, Environmental and Safety Management, and the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Technology Management, an Agency of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, saddled with the responsibility of providing critical knowledge support in the area of science, technology and innovation management. The resultant effect has been initiation of several policy research projects aimed at revitalization of STI landscape in Nigeria. He has received several local and international awards for his innovative leadership for the upliftment of mankind via science, technology and innovation management without relenting!
Ukwuoma, a multiple award winning academic and administrator, is a Certified Professional Trainer of the International Association People and Performance Development (IAPPD), a Certified International Master Project Manager (MPM) of the American Academy of Project Management, Fellow, American Academy of Project Management; Certified Management Consultant.
Professor Ukwuoma, a Chartered Engineer (COREN Registered), belongs to many professional bodies. He is a Member, Nigerian Society of Engineers, New York Academy of Sciences, Corporate Member, Environmental Management Association of Nigeria and a distinguished Fellow of Nigerian Institute of Management Consultants as well as Fellow of both the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers and Renewable and Alternative Energy Society of Nigeria.
Professor is an author and prolific writer, he has published widely in local and international Journals.
Kola Aina:
CEO/Founder,Ventures Platform
Kola is the Founding Partner at Ventures Platform. He is an avid angel investor and mentor to startup founders. He has started and chairs a number of companies. Prior to focusing on venture building, Kola worked in corporate finance, administration, corporate turn-around and strategy, having started off as a financial analyst with Fifth-Third Bank, after his MBA and initial training as an Electrical Engineer in the United States.
Kola’s foray into technology started with when he co-founded a leading Nigerian enterprise software company – Emerging Platforms. He has attained professional training from the Harvard Business School, University of California – Berkeley Law, Lagos Business School, and IESE Business School. He currently serves on the Presidential Committee on Job Creation and he is a mentor at the World Bank XL Africa program.
Bankole Oloruntoba
Founder NINe, Hub Incubator Manager, Enspire Incubator
Bankole Oloruntoba is the Founder of Network of Incubators and Innovators in Nigeria (NINe) www.nine.org.ng ; He re-started and managed Enspire Business Incubator www.enspire.org.ng , a technology focused business incubation centre under the Abuja Technology Village. He developed the Abuja Tech Ecosystem to create a structured community and ecosystem for technopreneurs to get the much needed support as required by tech startups and also serve as an example of how an ecosystem should be built. An expert on the Business Model Development and Deployment (Business Model Canvas & Lean Management Strategy) for Products, Ideas and Start-ups, Incubation & Innovation Management and Advisory, Bankole has shown strength in the identification and Building of strategic work/business partnerships. He is a thought leader in the area of Start-ups and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Development in Nigeria/West Africa.
Wakawa, R. C. (Ph.D) is an Agricultural Economist with an M. Sc in Economics (Banking & Finance). She is a coordinator of the Master in
Technology Programme with Science Policy and Innovation Studies (SPIS) Department in National Center for Technology Management (NACETEM) Abuja,
Nigeria and also the Desk Officer for Climate Change.
Formerly, Dr. (Mrs.) Rahila was a Lecturer of Agricultural Technology. Her research focus has been on Impact Assessment of Improved Agricultural Technologies on livelihood and gender issues. She has worked on Poverty Reduction and Food Security, where the needs of many scholars were met through Research & Development Networking.
Dr. Rahila has spent more than 20 years in Teaching, Policy Research,Publishing and Consulting. She is an active member of professional bodies
including Research and Development Network, Nigeria Association of Agricultural Economists (NAAE), Agricultural Economics Society (AES) and
Agricultural Extension of Nigeria (AESON) among others.
She consistently supports and contributes to learning and education; her passion and strong motives for literacy for young people is
remarkable,especially in under-served communities. As such, Dr. Rahila was able to accomplish her dreams of founding a Primary and Secondary
School – *Char-rah Prime Academy*, in Nasarawa State and a Bura Tribe Class – *Paktakir*, in Borno State and Abuja, Nigeria.
Dr. (Mrs.) Rahila is happily married to Engr. Christopher Wakawa and they are blessed with five children. Without doubts, her charismatic personality
and drive to persevere in challenges have inspired everyone she has come across.
Rubin Rose
International Account Manager
World Telecom Labs
With a background in his native United Kingdom across the security, finance and logistics sectors, Rubin relocated to Brussels in 1998, taking on a sales support and marketing role in the early days of WTL. His enthusiasm for WTL’s innovative telecom solutions and his strong relationship-building skills drew him naturally into the customer facing sales environment.
As an industry veteran, now in his 20th year with WTL, he continues to add to his early sales success across Europe & Middle East in his current position as Key Account Manager for West Africa. Rubin spends much of his work life in Nigeria and Ghana, always seeking to explore opportunities in new territories. Rubin has been involved in the design and deployment of numerous VoIP and SMS networks and is familiar with most aspects of the competitive carrier landscape across Africa.
After recent participation in events in Ivory Coast, Gambia and Senegal he is endeavouring to enhance his French language ability, adding to his native English and conversational Dutch.
Bruno Woeran is currently EU- Affairs Manager International Innovation Networks at www.Merinova.fi – Technology Center AB for the EnergyVaasa.fi Cluster and Director Project Development for www.ISPIM.org. Fostering the collaboration of Vaasa industry, higher education and regional institutions for international networking and cooperation in Research, Technology and Innovation actions; Strategies for EU Research Grants; directly funded – EU, Int’l and Nat’l – Opportunities; Proposal Management from application to execution and follow-up; regional networking and special interest focus groups.
He is international trainer and lecturer for EU- Research, Higher Education and Innovation management topics and supports the EQF – European Qualification Framework through www.ecqa.org. He was chairman and conference host and serves on several boards for Innovation Management www.ispim.org, vocational training networks to support academic human capital exchange www.leo-net.org, and is currently President of TII fostering Int’l TechTransfer www.tii.org.
Bruno Woeran teaches Innovation Management at University of Applied Sciences Eisenstadt, Austria, is co-editor and author of articles on innovation research, knowledge transfer and expert systems and works intensively on training and certification, for organisations’ innovation and knowledge management targets and regional innovation management tools, especially for SMEs.
He holds an MBA degree in BSAD from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (‘93) and from the University of Economics and Business Administration, Vienna (‘91).In his previous positions, he worked as Special Advisor EU- Research Programmes Management and Open Innovation Networks at www.LUT.fi. Research Grant policies;Process Management from ideation, application to execution and followup; Research Grant Officer and Senior Expert Controlling at www.IST.ac.at Austria, the renowned basic research institute near Vienna overseeing Research Grants; Research Group Controlling, Reports and Budgeting fostering a growth from 4 to 22 research groups and their involvement in competitive research funding opportunities within 1.5 years.
In 2010 he served as Senior Consultant ICT at www.eutema.com Technology
Management Ltd, in Vienna, the experts for strategic technology development in cooperation with its European partner network.
Since 1996, he was Managing Director for DANUBE, the Vienna Region Int’l transfer organisation for companies, universities, and research institutions on European Programmes for Innovation and Technology Transfer, Vocational Training (LLP Programme), Research and Technological Development (FP3-7).
Abayomi Baiyere is an Assistant Professor of Digitalization at Copenhagen Business School and a Research Affiliate at MIT Center for Information Systems Research. Abayomi also consults as a digital innovation researcher for Fastems – a robotics and automation company. He has worked for companies such as SAP and ABN AMRO and as an IT Entrepreneur. He has served as a community coordinator for ISPIM and currently as an international representative-at-large for AoM. Abayomi’s research explores the concept of “Digital X” for companies. His research seats at the intersection of digital – innovations, disruption, strategy & transformation as well as the organizational and societal impact of digitalization.
Yusuff Utieyineshola Adeleke, is a Senior Research Officer/Head, Science Policy and Innovation Studies (SPIS) Department at National Centre for Technology Management, Abuja. He is a recipient of the prestigious Research Training Fellowship for Developing Country Scientists (RTF-DCS) offered by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. Through this award, he served as a Research Affiliate for six months at the Centre for Studies in Science Policy (CSSP), Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India. He holds a M.Sc. in Technology Management from Staffordshire University, United Kingdom. He has published academic papers in reputable international journals and conferences within the field of Technology Management and Science and Technology Studies (STS).