2021 WINNERS
2021 National Technology Innovation Honors
Below are the lists of our 2021 National Technology Innovation Honors awards winners based on categories
Prof. Bolaji Oshinowo
Prof. Oshinowo is a quantum computing researcher who developed Nigerias first qubit-based cryptography framework for secure messaging.
- Developed first Nigerian qubit-based cryptography
- Advanced national cybersecurity through quantum research.
Fatima Sanusi
Fatima is a mobile tech engineer who led the development of an offline payment gateway that processed N15 billion in transactions in rural areas.
- Engineered offline mobile payment gateway
- Processed N15B in underserved regions.
Chuka Ezedinma
Chuka is a seasoned tech executive known for scaling 5 regional tech hubs and launching 3 multi-country innovation partnerships.
- Scaled 5 regional tech hubs
- Launched 3 cross-border innovation programs.
Onyinye Nwachukwu
Onyinye developed a biodegradable circuit board for low-energy devices, now used in solar lanterns and emergency tech kits.
- Built biodegradable circuit boards
- Used in sustainable solar and emergency kits.
Tajudeen Balogun
Tajudeen created an AI-powered recycling system that rewards households for proper waste sorting in urban slums.
- Created AI system for urban waste sorting
- Launched recycling reward platform in slums.
Bukola Oyinlade
Bukola is the founder of GirlsWhoProduct, a career acceleration program for women entering product management in tech.
- Founded GirlsWhoProduct initiative
- Helped 700+ women transition into tech.
Ovie Akpore
Ovie built Nigerias first open medical imaging platform, enabling doctors to share scans securely between hospitals.
- Developed open-source imaging platform
- Improved collaboration between hospitals.
Kehinde Bolarinwa
Kehinde invented a solar-powered water quality monitor for community boreholes, preventing disease outbreaks in rural areas.
- Created solar-powered water monitor
- Deployed to protect 50+ rural communities
Emmanuel Obi
Emmanuel created a blockchain voting module piloted in student elections and community councils for transparent elections.
- Built blockchain voting tool
- Used in student and local government elections.
Cartique
Cartique is a digital vehicle diagnostics startup that uses AI to identify faults, recommend fixes, and connect users with certified auto repair shops.
- Developed AI for vehicle fault detection
- Connected users to verified auto technicians.
Lilian Ude
Lilian runs a remote tech support firm providing on-demand software troubleshooting to thousands of home users and SMEs.
- Offered real-time virtual tech support
- Served 10,000+ home and SME clients.
Rasaq Bello
Rasaq built a language localization tool that enabled businesses to scale customer experience in Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo.
- Created multilingual CX platform
- Localized apps and websites for 3 major languages.
Maryam Zakari
Maryam developed an AI-driven agriculture dashboard that maps soil health, pest risks, and crop cycle forecasts for farmers.
- Built AI dashboard for agri-data
- Boosted yield predictions across 10 states.
Richard Tamuno
Richard is a hardware innovator known for building low-cost 3D printers used by STEM students across public institutions.
- Created affordable 3D printers
- Distributed to public schools and STEM labs
Edidiong Nta
Edidiong created an AI-powered sign language translator that bridges communication between the hearing and speech-impaired in real-time.
- Invented real-time sign language translator
- Used in hospitals and education centers.
Peter Aghedo
Peter developed a warehouse robotics system that slashed inventory processing time by 50% in FMCG firms.
- Built robotics system for warehouses
- Reduced inventory delays by 50%
Tolulope Aluko
Tolulope is a cloud solutions architect and advocate for women in DevOps, mentoring female engineers through her TechCloudSisters community.
- Mentored 600+ women in cloud DevOps
- Founded TechCloudSisters for peer learning.
Abubakar Yusuf
Abubakar built EduPlay, an educational game that teaches math and civic values through African folklore-based storytelling.
- Created EduPlay educational game
- Blended African storytelling with e-learning.
Ngozi Ikenna
Ngozi led the development of an AI-based phishing filter now integrated into local email services for Nigerian SMEs.
- Created AI phishing detection tool
- Integrated with SME email systems.
Bashir Aminu
Bashir operates a tech infrastructure firm that powers cloud migration and digital transformation for public health institutions.
- Migrated public health systems to cloud
- Digitized 50+ health agency workflows
