Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and Technology Executives.

Scott Gerber, Forbes Councils’ founder said they are really excited to welcome Dr. Olatunji to the Council. He stressed that their mission with Forbes Councils is “to bring together proven leaders from every industry, creating a curated, social capital-driven network that helps every member grow professionally and make an even greater impact on the business world.”

“I am delighted to be counted worthy to join the Forbes Technology Council,” Dr. Olatunji said. “It is another confirmation of our modest effort to ensure that our country is recognized among the global leaders in Data Protection compliance.”

Dr Vincent Olatunji holds a doctorate degree in Geography and Planning from the University of Lagos. He is a Certified Public Private Partnership Specialist (IP3 Specialist) and a PECB Certified Data Protection Officer.

He is an accomplished professional with proven track records of delivering impactful results thereby excelling in building strong relationships across sectors and achieving tangible outcomes. He has also successfully led teams, conducted extensive research, developed effective policies, and implemented strategic initiatives at all levels of government in Nigeria.

His expertise lies in driving human growth and process transformation, and he is highly skilled in negotiation, networking, and public speaking. He has worked in the public sector for over 30 years thereby bringing his wealth of experience and professionalism on board Forbes Technology Council.

Dr. Olatunji joined the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in 2002 and has worked in various departments thereby rising to the position of a director in 2014 and Acting Director General in 2016.

Prior to his appointment in February 2022 as the NDPB’s pioneer National Commissioner of NDPB, he worked as the Director of eGovernment Development and Regulations at NITDA where he led a formidable team to deliver various initiatives on Nigeria’s digital transformation.

As Nigeria’s Data Protection Ombudsman, Dr Vincent Olatunji ‘s relentless efforts and expertise have propelled him to the forefront in shaping policies and frameworks that align with international standards, bolstering Nigeria’s and Africa’s position in the global data protection landscape.

He has attended many Capacity Building programmes in various areas such as Public Sector Management, Project Planning and Management, Digital Transformation and Data Protection amongst others. He is a member of many committees of experts and has represented Nigeria at several local and international engagements.

Dr Vincent Olatunji has also won several awards from public and private sector organizations including  GNC Digital Hall of Fame Award of Lifetime Recognition, Excellence Achievement and Contributions to Emerging Technology for Development Initiatives in Africa, 2023; IT Edge News Africa, Eminent Recognition as One of the Top 50 Digital Economy Enablers in Nigeria, February, 2023 and listed among the 100 Leading Telecom and ICT Personalities in Nigeria by the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria in April, 2018. Other recognitions include University of Lagos, UNILAG Alumni Association, Award of Outstanding Commitment to University of Lagos Alumni Association, July 2017; and Ekiti State University Alumni Association, Award of Eminent Personality, Ekiti State University, 22^nd June 2018. Ekiti State University also awarded him with a Doctor of Public Administration (HC) on 23^rd June 2018.

About Forbes Council

Forbes Councils is a collective of invitation-only communities created in partnership with Forbes and the expert community builders who founded Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC). In Forbes Councils, exceptional business owners and leaders come together with the people and resources that can help them thrive.

In a letter communicating the decision to Staveley, the Founder of Forbes Tec​​hnology Council, Scott Gerber said: “We are honoured to welcome Confidence Staveley into the Community. Our Mission with Forbes Technology Councils is to bring together proven leaders from every industry, creating a curated, social capital-driven network that helps every member grow professionally and make an even greater impact on the business world.”

In a social media post by Confidence Staveley, a cybersecurity expert and Founder/Executive Director, Cybersafe Foundation, appreciated the honour and further explained the process: “I was vetted and selected by a review Committee based on the depth and diversity of my experience. Criteria for acceptance include a track record of successfully impacting business growth metrics, as well as personal and professional achievements and honours.”

Staveley, who popularly refers herself to as a “Sisi and also a nerd”, due to her youthfulness and passion towards influencing youths in the technology ecosystem, is arguably Africa’s most celebrated female cybersecurity leader, cybersecurity talent developer, global speaker, cybersecurity awareness evangelist and inclusion advocate.

She is also an award-winning cybersecurity professional, digital development enthusiast, author and entrepreneur with over a decade experience in technology.

She believes that Africans, especially the most vulnerable, should have access to technology and be equipped with cyber-risk and mitigation strategies. Confidence has facilitated CyberSafe Foundation’s multiple project collaborations with the UK Government.

While hoping that more Nigerian women will be included in the Forbes Technology Council, Staveley Cybersafe Foundation, through its social media platform @cybersafehq, has recorded huge strides in driving inclusive and safe digital access in Africa, “and we are enthusiastic that this membership will help us achieve more.”

With Cybersafe Foundation as implementation partner, and in partnership with the UK FCDO and KPMG, Confidence Staveley played a major role in the launch of a cybersecurity toolkit for SMEs in Nigeria. She is also passionate about protecting senior citizens who are particularly vulnerable to financial scams and identity theft.

Through her organization, Cybersafe Foundation, Staveley has recently launched the Pan-African cybersecurity awareness tool called The Sabi Toolkit.

This tool provides users with proactive, preventive measures and practical steps to stay safe as they navigate the digital world. She is also passionate about closing the gender gap in technology through her two initiatives – DigiGirls and CyberGirls.

Her induction into the Forbes Technology Council is a great testament to her works and further provides a platform to reach the wider world with her expertise.

The Council is an Invitation-Only organisation for senior-level technology executives.

Members of the Forbes Technology Council are respected tech leaders, including CEOs, CIOs, CTOs, and others, selected for the Council based on their deep knowledge and diverse experience in the industry.

According to information on the Council’s website, “Members of our elite business communities receive three pillars of value: connections, visibility, and growth.”

Members have exclusive opportunity to publish their expert insights on Forbes.com. Working with skilled editors, members participate in expert panels and write bylined articles to enhance their reputation as thought leaders.

The Council accepts members who are respected tech leaders and executives — CEOs, CIOs, CTOs, and others — based on their deep knowledge and diverse experience in the industry.

Based on his depth, diversity and wealth of experience in information technology and cyber security, Dr Osakwe was received into the invitation-only organisation for senior-level technology executives, becoming one of the few to achieve such a feat in their 30s.

Dr Fene Osakwe has a consistent track record of successfully impacting business growth metrics, as well as personal and professional achievements and honours internationally.

Membership of the prestigious Forbes Technology Council is hinged on three pillars of value, which are connections, visibility, and growth.

Dr Fene Osakwe’s reputation as a thought leader in the field, and the meaningful connections and collaborations he builds with other experts in the industry are instrumental to his acceptance into the Forbes Technology Council.

With a powerful people-first approach, he mentors hundreds of career professionals with a mission to help them rise from fresh graduates to executive management in less than 10 years, as he did.

He has a true sense of community. His professional profile and an assortment of badging options spark growth and reflect his passion to help other people grow personally and professionally.

As an accepted member of the Council, Dr Osakwe has access to a variety of exclusive opportunities designed to help him reach peak professional influence. He will connect and collaborate with other respected local leaders in a private forum.

Dr Osakwe will also be invited to work with a professional editorial team to share his expert insights in original business articles on Forbes.com and contribute to published Q&A panels alongside other experts. 

He will benefit from exclusive access to vetted business service partners, membership-branded marketing collateral, and the high-touch support of the Forbes Councils’ member concierge team.

Dr Fene Osakwe is highly regarded as one of Africa’s leading cyber security advisors. He is renowned for his unique style of making technical security concepts relatable to Board Executives and non-technical audiences.

He has consulted for several financial institutions, telecoms, fintech companies, private universities and state governments in Nigeria and sits on the Board of some startup companies in Africa.

He holds over 10 internationally recognised professional IT certifications.

Dr Osakwe, an award-winning prolific conference speaker, writer and career mentor who has graced the stage at some of the most significant cyber security, career and leadership conferences in Africa and the Middle East.

He is currently authoring his first book on career acceleration which is available on his website.

You can follow Dr Fene Osakwe on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.