The event was held on Saturday, November 26, 2022, at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

This follows a similar development two weeks prior, when Mr Obaro also received a “Special Recognition Award” at the Nigeria Fintech Awards for his pioneering leadership in the development of the fintech ecosystem in Nigeria.

A distinguished alumnus of the Ahmadu Bello University, University of Lagos, and the Chief Executive Program (CEP3) of Lagos Business School, John Obaro founded Systemspecs Limited 30 years ago. In the last decade, SystemSpecs has become a trailblazer in the Nigerian e-Payment space with its Remita solution, which enables efficient and easy payments and collections of funds for Individuals and corporates. Other leading solutions from SystemSpecs include HumanManager, an indigenous HR management and payroll solution, and FundACause, a solution developed to address the unique challenges of raising funds, amongst others.

In expressing his appreciation to the organisers of the awards, Mr John Obaro said: “My heartfelt gratitude goes to the organisers of the CIO Awards for the Lifetime Achievement Special Award. I am excited to see that our work is appreciated.

Three decades ago, we started SystemSpecs with the vision of being the software institution of reference in Africa, and so far, the journey has been fruitful.

In collaborating with other stakeholders in the industry, we have been able to accelerate our output and increase our value to customers by offering them simplified and innovative software solutions. Be assured that we will not rest on our oars.”

Obaro is a fellow of the Centre for African Policy Development and Research, Glasgow, Scotland; a fellow of Nigeria Computer Society (NCS); an ex-member of the Governing Council of Computers Professionals (Registration Council) of Nigeria (CPN) – the highest industry practice regulatory body; and past 1st Vice President of the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON).

Known in many circles as ‘The Consummate Innovator’, John Obaro has previously been recognised with the honour of  Leadership in Technology at the 2016 African Achievement Awards in Scotland; Nigeria’s IT Personality of the Year; Software Personality of the Year at the Nigeria Communication Week’s Beacon of Information and Communications Technology (BoICT) Awards; Engineer Simeon Agu Prize for Best Software Entrepreneur at the National Information Technology Merit Award (NITMA); in addition to other numerous indigenous and international awards over the years.

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In its 13th year, the BoICT awards and corresponding lecture series explored the ‘Impact of Blockchain Technology in a Digitalised Nigeria’ and is widely acknowledged as the most prestigious annual event in Nigeria’s booming information and communication technologies (ICT) industry.

According to Ken Nwogbo, chief executive officer and editor-in-chief of Communication Week Media Limited, and the organisers of the lecture series, the awards ceremony rewards best practices. In addition, it recognises outstanding contributions to the growth of the ICT sector.

The awards are free, and awardees are chosen by readers of Nigeria Communications Week through a transparent voting process, and are designed to explore efforts to put Nigeria on the global ICT map, he added.

“Winning the award is a testament to your talents, innovations, contributions and commitments to the growth of the ICT industry, especially in your expertise as a data centre operator, which operates Africa’s largest network of interconnected, carrier and cloud-neutral data centre facilities.

We have recognised your hard work, sincerity and dedication towards the development of ICT industry with your strategically located, world-class data centre facilities provide a home for business-critical data for enterprises in Africa” says Nwogbo.

Tesh Durvasula, CEO of Africa Data Centres, said:  “Africa Data Centres is thrilled to have won this prestigious award that acknowledges the organisation’s contribution to the growth of the data centre industry in Nigeria.”

Africa Data Centres, the continent’s leading pan-African operator of large-scale, vendor- and carrier-neutral data centres, recently announced a new 10MW facility in the region, the first of four faculties planned for Nigeria.

“Our plans include building an additional facility in Lagos at a separate location to ensure total disaster recovery and backup, while Abuja and Port Harcourt have been earmarked for their facilities,” he added.

“Nigeria remains a key African market for us, and this award recognises our investment in, and commitment to, the region. “We are helping our hyperscale customers deploy digitisation solutions to West Africa. Investments in Nigeria are viewed as a great leap forward in our ambitious long-term plans to close the digital divide and digitise the country,” continued Durvasula.

Organisations of every size and in every vertical have faced tremendous challenges over the past two years. However, it has been motivating and encouraging to acknowledge the outstanding products and services that enhance connectivity and drive economic growth in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

“As a business of Cassava Technologies, we ensure that our initiatives enable social mobility and the economic prosperity of individuals and businesses across the continent through increased access to innovative technologies. BoICT recognising us with this prestigious award reaffirmed that Africa Data Centres that our work is making a difference. We offer congratulations to all who entered, especially the winners in their respective categories,” he concluded.

After a competitive review process, Tizeti was selected for the award due to its innovative model of addressing the digital divide with solar-powered masts, to deliver the most cost-effective and reliable unlimited internet services, and its contribution and commitment to broadband penetration and digital inclusion in West Africa.

Receiving the award, Tizeti’s Chief Technical Officer, Ikenna Uche expressed appreciation to the organizers for the award and the company’s commitment to building the infrastructure for Africa’s digital economy.

“With about forty percent broadband penetration in Nigeria, millions of Nigerians are still excluded from the global digital economy. Access to the opportunities that digital offers is a game-changer in today’s world, and we have to make the internet affordable and effective for most homes and businesses. We are pleased that our solar-powered network of owned and operated telecoms base stations are delivering value to Nigerians”, he said.

Tizeti has been recognized for its innovative practices and was the 6^th Most Innovative Company in the African category of Fast Companies’ World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2020.

Tizeti has rolled out its unlimited broadband internet in multiple states in Nigeria, and Ghana and plans to expand to 10 more states within the next eighteen months.

Tizeti is a fast-growing Wireless Internet service provider in Nigeria and Ghana delivering high-speed unlimited Wi-Fi Internet access to residential and business customers using wide-area Wi-Fi. Its services are available in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Edo, and Rivers States in Nigeria, and Accra and Tema, in Ghana.

The company won the “IT Solutions and Consulting Company of the Year” and the “Cybersecurity Product Company of the Year” awards.

Handing over the award to FPG Technologies, Managing Director/CEO of Medallion Data Center and President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) Engr. Ikechukwu Nnamani noted that the Awards were proofs of the company’s innovativeness and impact to the growth and development of ICT in Nigeria.

FPG Technologies and Solutions Limited (a member of Flexip Group) is a technology solutions provider and systems integrator, specializing in delivering partner practical digital transformation (DX) consulting services and technologies, business insight and productivity solutions, private, public and hybrid multi cloud deployments, Mobility and Infrastructure solutions and services as well as end to end cyber and IT security solutions and services.

Strategic alliances with leading technology leaders like Microsoft, HP, IBM, Checkpoint, Citrix, Commvault, FireEye, Blackberry, Pentera (Pcysys), Thales, Delphix and others enables FPG provide innovative Technology solutions, support and services to organizations across the Banking & Financial Services, Telecommunications, Oil & Gas, FMCG, Manufacturing and public sectors of Nigeria and West Africa.

FPG customers include CBN, Zenith Bank, Access Bank, MTN, Nigeria Exchange Group, Chevron, Soulmate and others. “We are trusted by leading companies in Nigeria and West Africa because we deliver end to end IT Solutions bespoke to each Clients IT context. FPG provides IT solutions that address our clients’ current needs while anticipating solutions for the ever-changing demands of tomorrow,” the company stated.

Commenting on the double award, Head, Marketing and Customer Service, FlexipGroup, Joy Ehibor said: “I feel very excited that we won this Year’s IT Solutions and Consulting Company of the Year’ and the ‘Cybersecurity Product Company of the Year’ awards. FPG Technologies has been receiving BoICT awards back-to-back for the past five years. These awards have showed how innovative we are as a company, our rich solutions portfolio, and of course the value we add to organisations. Our solutions cut across Cybersecurity, Digital Transformation, Cloud, Mobility, Infrastructure, Business Insights and Productivity and IT Consulting Services.

Further speaking on the company’s unique proposition, Ehibor said: “We ensure choice for our customers always, our solutions are innovative, customized/strategic for any organization who is looking to go to the market in a different approach, and of course we have experts who are available to respond to any support issues 24/7.”

In his speech, the Founder and Editor in Chief of Communications Week Media Limited, initiators of the Award, Mr. Ken Nwogbo, had charged recipients to double on their efforts in service of the ICT market, noting that the Award is just a way of acknowledging the innovative work the companies are doing and a call to do more.

Also speaking, Editor of Communications Week, Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi, harped on the transparency of the Awards and pointed to the fact that the choice of recipients is based on a voting process that strictly relies of the acceptability of stakeholders in the industry.

The MD/CEO, Rex Mafiana asserted: “This a great win for us, once again. We are Innovative and versatile In Our Approach, and we are focused on providing organizations with innovative technology solutions that help them drive extreme business agility with confidence’. We always put our customers first, since for us, it is always Happy Customer, Happy FPG!

FPG Technologies are experts in solutions that include:

• Digital Transformation (DX) solutions & Services
• Business Insights & Productivity Solutions
• Cloud, Infrastructure & Mobile (CIM) solution & services
• Enterprise end to end cyber security solutions (ECSS)
• IT Consultancy Services and Training

Other Awards the company had earned in the past include:

• Beacon of ICT Awards 2021 – Cybersecurity Company of The Year
• Nigeria Technology Awards 2021 – Cyber Security Solution Provider of The Year
• Nigeria Technology Awards 2021 – Cloud & Enterprise Service Provider of The Year
• Nigeria Technology Awards 2021, 2019 & 2018 – Tech Consulting Company of The Year
• African Quality Achievement Award 2021- Africa’s Leading Quality It Solutions Company of The Year Award
• Beacon of ICT Awards 2020 – IT Solutions and Consulting Company of The Year
• Nigeria Technology Awards 2020 – Cloud Infrastructure Provider of The Year
• Nigeria Technology Awards 2020 – Most Innovative Tech Consulting Company of The Year
• Beacon of ICT Awards 2020, 2018 & 2017 – Best Cyber Security Product Company of The Year

Dr. Krishnan Ranganath, who is presently the Chief Technology Officer of Africa Data Centres, one of Africa’s largest network of interconnected, carrier and cloud-neutral data centre facility, was announced at the annual awards on Saturday night at the prestigious Eko Hotels and Suites.

Declaring him as the winner, the organizer described Dr. Krishnan Ranganath as an articulate and resilient professional, who has been instrumental in setting up and managing multiple Networks & data centres across geographies with a proven record of monitoring the inflow & outflow of funds and ensuring optimum utilisation of available funds towards the accomplishment of organisational goals.

“We are glad to have Dr. Krishnan Ranganath as the Data Centre Personality of the Year,” the organizer announced while presenting the award plaque to Dr. Krishnan Ranganath.

Dr. Krish as he fondly addressed in the Nigerian ICT space is a senior executive with more than two decades of experience in global markets working with various Multinationals across Emerging Markets.

He has worked with various IT/ITES and Telecommunications players for various large and very large projects, managing large and disparate teams across various regions and time zones.

Apart from being instrumental in setting up and managing multiple Networks & data centres across geographies, he has footprint across Africa having worked and done projects in over 18 countries on the  continent.

With core competencies in strategic planning, project management, business development, relationship management, turn around management, working capital management, product management, cost reduction strategies, PPP projects, effective interpersonal skills and team management, he also has a proven record of monitoring the inflow & outflow of funds and ensuring optimum utilisation of available funds towards the accomplishment of organisational goals

Dr. Krishnan Ranganath is presently the Chief Technology Officer at Africa Data Centres handling the West African operations. In his long carrier since 1992, he was associated with various organisatins across APAC, GCC & Africa.

Available reports indicate he has the professional ambition to build the biggest data centre in Africa.

Announcing Tradefada as the winner, the organizer said the company pulled the highest votes to emerge in the category, stressing that the award was keenly contested by four other companies.

“We are pleased to have the honour to announce Tradefada as a winner of this year’s Beacon of ICT Awards having gathered the highest votes in the ‘Blockchain Services Platform Provider of the Year (Crypto)’, it said at the award night, which attracted stakeholders from various segment of the ICT industry.

The organizer added that the award is a testament to Tradefada’s talents, innovations, contributions and commitments to the growth of the ICT industry.

Receiving the award on behalf of the company, excited Mr. Seun Dania, the Chief Executive Officer of Tradefada, noted that the award is a display of the fact that stakeholders have come to the realization that Tradefada has become a household brand in the industry, adding that it is happy that Nigerians have recognized its hard work, sincerity and dedication towards the development of ICT industry.

“We are excited to have received ‘Blockchain Services Platform Provider of the Year (Crypto)’ award. For us, it is exciting and a challenge to us to do more because to whom much is given, much is also expected,” he said.

While dedicating the award to its customers and dedicated staff, Mr. Seun promised that Tradefada will continue to provide an innovative platform that will allow most Africans to partake and adopt cryptocurrencies from their mobile devices and web browsers.

“We will also be exploring the new waves in the crypto space i.e. Metaverse and NFTs. We will also be providing a staking platform where our customers can safely stake their crypto and earn yearly % returns,” he assured.

Tradefada is a One-Stop Cryptocurrency exchange that combines the reliability and swiftness of a web-based exchange with the convenience and portability of a mobile app. Tradefada offers the ability to buy into the crypto market through various local Fiat currencies and trade on over 100 pairs of the top and most reliable cryptocurrencies.

Founded in 2017 by a duo of experienced digital currency traders with a vision to see Africa benefit immensely and achieve economic freedom by leveraging on cryptocurrencies, Tradefada provides solutions to all levels of cryptocurrency traders’ needs.

Tradefada services extend to 30+ countries, providing easy access to buy and sell crypto for various fiat currencies; made possible through strategic partnerships with excellent third-party service providers.

The Beacon of ICT Awards celebrates the top performers in Nigeria’s ICT sector, giving recognition to best practices and outstanding contributions to the industry. The annual event is organised by Communications Week Media

“This is a tremendous achievement for Infobip, as it is the second year running that the company has scooped a Beacon of ICT Award, winning the Communication Solution Provider award last year. The accolades are testament to our ongoing efforts in establishing ourselves as one of the top communications providers in the Nigerian market, something we are incredibly proud of” says Infobip Regional manager for West Africa, Olatayo Ladipo-Ajai.

In addition to receiving the Beacon of ICT Award for Best Communication Solution Provider last year, Infobip was also recognised by the Nigeria Tech Innovation and Telecom Awards (NTITA) as the Innovative Cloud Communication Partner of the Year for 2021. These accolades are testament to the company’s improved brand perception and visibility in the region.

Infobip has been operating in Africa for several years and this award recognizes the value that the company delivers to West Africa.

Strong focus on West Africa

According to McKinsey, the internet’s greatest impact in the region will be concentrated in six sectors: financial services, education, health, retail, agriculture and government.

This, paired with the growing uptake of smartphones and increased internet penetration, could propel private consumption significantly above current levels.

This trend is expected to drive high demand for business efficiency solutions, underpinned by cloud communications platforms.

Ladipo-Ajai notes that this is the start of a continued momentum for Infobip in the African market.

The company plans to focus strongly on the west region and ensure that it continues to help businesses transform to be able to build meaningful and rewarding relationships with customers.