Abuja, Nigeria – In a landmark ceremony recognizing outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s growth and development, some of the nation’s top tech entrepreneurs were among the 447 personalities honoured by President Muhammadu Buhari at the International Conference Centre in Abuja on Tuesday.
The event saw notable tech figures such as Funke Opeke, CEO of MainOne, Flutterwave CEO Olugbenga Agboola, Paystack Co-founder Ezra Olubi, and Future Africa’s Co-founder Iyinoluwa Aboyeji receive prestigious national honours.
Tech Leaders Honored
Funke Opeke was awarded ‘Member of the Order of the Niger (MON)’ for her trailblazing work in transforming Nigeria’s internet connectivity.
Olugbenga Agboola, Ezra Olubi, and Iyinoluwa Aboyeji were each recognized with the ‘Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON)’ for their contributions to fintech innovation and the broader tech ecosystem.
These awards underscore the federal government’s recognition of the transformative power of technology in shaping Nigeria’s future.
Funke Opeke: Bridging Nigeria’s Digital Divide
Funke Opeke, an electrical engineer and entrepreneur, founded **MainOne** in 2008 to tackle Nigeria’s poor internet infrastructure. MainOne pioneered the deployment of West Africa’s first privately owned, open-access undersea cable system, a 7,000-kilometer submarine cable connecting Portugal to Nigeria and other West African nations, including Ghana, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire.
Earlier this year, MainOne was acquired by U.S.-based digital infrastructure giant Equinix in a $320 million deal, cementing its status as a critical player in Africa’s digital transformation.
Olugbenga Agboola: Revolutionizing Payments in Africa
As CEO and co-founder of Flutterwave, Olugbenga Agboola has redefined the fintech landscape in Africa. Under his leadership, Flutterwave became a unicorn in 2021, achieving a valuation of over $1 billion after a $170 million Series C funding round.
Before stepping into the CEO role, Agboola was Flutterwave’s Chief Technology Officer. A certified ethical hacker and fintech engineer, he has played pivotal roles in growing global fintech services, including PayPal and Standard Bank.
Ezra Olubi: Powering African Payments
Ezra Olubi, co-founder and CTO of Paystack, has made significant strides in simplifying payment processes for businesses across Africa. Paystack provides secure payment solutions for local and international transactions through debit cards, credit cards, and mobile money.
Paystack’s success drew the attention of global payments giant Stripe, which acquired the company in 2020 for $200 million, making it one of the largest tech acquisitions in Africa. The deal enabled Paystack to expand its services beyond Nigeria to other African countries, further solidifying its position as a leader in the continent’s fintech space.
Iyinoluwa Aboyeji: Nurturing Africa’s Innovators
Known as a serial entrepreneur and ecosystem builder, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji is the co-founder and general partner at ‘Future Africa’, a platform providing funding and mentorship to mission-driven innovators.
Aboyeji has co-founded some of Africa’s most impactful tech companies, including Andela, a global talent network, and Flutterwave, where he served as Managing Director. His work at Future Africa focuses on empowering African innovators to address pressing challenges and scale transformative solutions.
Aboyeji’s influence extends beyond tech. He was a key figure in Oby Ezekwesili’s 2019 presidential campaign and currently serves as Chairman of Talent City Inc., a company reimagining urban development in Nigeria.
A Recognition of Tech’s Impact
The honours bestowed upon these entrepreneurs highlight the pivotal role of technology in shaping Nigeria’s economy and global standing. From revolutionizing internet connectivity to building billion-dollar fintech enterprises, their work underscores the potential of Nigeria’s tech sector to drive sustainable development and innovation.
As the government continues to recognize and support the tech ecosystem, these trailblazers serve as an inspiration for the next generation of Nigerian innovators working to create solutions with global impact.
