The event, marked by glamour and dazzle, opened with an enchanting performance by the national dance troupe, setting the stage for a memorable and exciting evening.

The highlight of the evening was the cutting of the anniversary cake and the unveiling of the highly anticipated book, 50 Most Influential ICT Innovators in Nigeria.

This book not only celebrates the trailblazers of the past but also acknowledges the ongoing contributions of industry leaders who continue to shape the future of technology.

The ceremony was graced by Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki who was represented by Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Hon, Ogbede Ifaluyi – Isibor and a prestigious array of honourees, including beneficiaries of the Lifetime Achievement Award: Engr. Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, Chairman, MTN Nigeria; Col. Aiyegbeni Peters, Chairman, Alpha Technologies; Austin Okere, Founder, CWG; Chris Uwaje, CEO, Mobile Software Solutions and Femi Pedro, Former Managing Director of First Atlantic Bank and Ex-Deputy Governor of Lagos State and Tim Akano, CEO, New Horizon.

Thirteen distinguished individuals were inducted into the Titans of Tech Hall of Fame, recognizing their exceptional contributions and enduring impact on the ICT sector.

The Hall of Fame inductees include: Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State state, Femi Williams, CEO, Newwaves Ecosystem Limited; Gbenga Adebayo, Founder and President, Royal FM 95.1Mhz; Margaret Peters, MD, Alpha Technologies and Amos Emmanuel, Founder, Programos Software, and InnovationBed.

Others include Oyesola Awodiya, General Manager, Ezzential Global Services, Limited, Tony Emoekpere, President, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Muhammed Rudman, Muhammed Rudman is the pioneer Chief Executive Officer, Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), Nigeria’s first and only neutral IXP, Engr. Ikechukwu Nnamani, Managing Director, Digital Realty; Ayotunde Coker, Chairman, Africa Data Centres Association (ADCA) and Peter Ejiofor, Founder and CEO, Ethnos Cyber Limited

Olawale Owoeye, CEO Cedarview ; John Nwachukwu, CEO, Zoracom; Pastor Lekan Balogun, MD, Netaccess Systems and Lare Ayoola, MD, Tranter IT, make up the list.

In his welcome address, Don Pedro Aganbi celebrated the remarkable journey of the Titans of Tech Awards, reflecting on the evolution of the ICT industry and its visionary leaders. He emphasized the evening’s significance in honouring past achievements while envisioning a future brimming with potential.

NCC won the Pan African Telecommunication Regulator of the year and Outstanding Public Service Communications Team of the Year Awards, ALX emerged as the Most Innovative EDTECH Company of the Year while MTN Clinched the Best Telecom Company of the decade Award.

Among other winners are Digital Realty, Best Global Data Centre Platform of the Year, itel, Best Customer Choice Smartphone Brand of the Year, NetAccess, Best Broadband Company of the Year,

Hyperspace Technologies, Most Innovative Web3 Security Solutions provider of the Year, Alpha Technologies, Most Innovative Value Added Company of the Year, Tecpoint Global Services won the Enterprise Solution Company of the Year while ipNX sealed Digital Connectivity Company of the Year Award.

NewGlobe was awarded the Pan African Digital Learning platform Award. One Data scooped the ISP of the Year Award.

Others are; Zoracom, Excellence in Cybersecurity Award, Covenant University, Most Innovative Tertiary Institution of the Year, Tobi Ayeni, Most Innovative Digital Content Creator of the Year, Royal Ibeh, Most Innovative ICT Reporter of the Year.

The Titans of Tech Awards continue to be a hub of excellence, celebrating those who drive the industry forward and inspire future generations of innovators.

Zoho was voted the Pan African Tech Company of the Year while Parallex Bank was crowned Digital Financial Solutions Provider of the Year while itel was crowned as Best Budget Friendly Phone Brand of the Year.

Declaring the award ceremony open, Femi Pedro, pioneer Banker and former Deputy Governor of Lagos, praised the organiser of the Titans of Tech Africa Award for its consistency over the years.

He noted that in recognising excellence, celebrating commitment and rewarding winners, the Titans of Tech Awards is contributing to efforts at building the nation’s telecommunications industry.

Don Pedro Aganbi, Convener of the Titans of Tech Awards in his welcome address noted that The Titans of Tech Awards is a platform dedicated to recognizing the achievements, successes, and triumphs of key stakeholders across the entire digital technology spectrum and telling the stories. He insisted that awards are a great way to encourage good behaviour, inculcate competitive spirit and spur the industry to greater heights.

Other winners at the high-octane event include VERTIV, Most Innovative Data Centre Cooling Provider of the Year; EKOEXCEL, Most Innovative Digital Learning Platform of The Year; IpNX, Enterprise Business Solutions Provider of the Year; Ethnos, Indigenous ICT Company of the Year, Pioneer Interconnect Operator of The Year and Inlaks, Digital Business Solutions Provider of The Year.

In addition, Zoracom was crowned Digital Transformation Provider Company of The Year; Parallex Bank, Best Customer Centric Bank of The Year; Konne3t, Best ICT Innovation of the Year, Data Protection Compliance Company of the Year, itel P40, Best Smartphone Phone Battery of the Year, Zoho Technologies, Best Tech Team of the Year.

Furthermore, Prof. Umar Dambatta, Pan African Regulator of the Year, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, Data Centre Man of the Year, Ikechukwu Nnamani, Data Centre Personality of the Year, Peter Ejiofor, Cyber Security Personality of the Year, Kehinde Ogundare, Country Manager of the Year, Best Marketing Manager of the Year, Oke Umurhohwo and Reuben Muoka was voted Best Digital Public Relations Communicator of the Year.

States were not left, particularly those actively pushing the implementation of the digital economy. Imo State was voted Most Innovative Digital State of the Year.

This year’s Titans of Tech Merit Awards honourees included Stanley Jacobs, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Financial Service, Ukinedo Dare, Immediate Past Managing Director, Edo State Skills Development Agency and Dr. Krishnan Ranganath, Chief Technology Officer, Africa Data Centres.

Titans of Tech Hall of Fame Awards popularly called Nigeria’s Tech Industry Grammy is designed to celebrate Hi-tech most important movers and shakers; pioneers, Innovators, men, women, organisations and institutions who blazed the trail and used ICT to improve the way of life in our society.

It is the recognition of overall excellence, unflinching commitment and a lifetime of efforts in the service of ICT, humanity and Nigeria.

The Titans of Tech Africa Awards is the authoritative yardstick to measure performance in the West African ICT sector. It is also an avenue to influence policy, network and connect with key industry players.

The Titans of Tech Awards and Gala Nite is designed to celebrate Nigeria’s Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) most important movers and shakers, the pioneers, innovators, men, women, organisations and institutions that are at the forefront of ICT adoption and usage in Nigeria.

It is also an avenue to influence policy, network and connect with key industry players.

Don Pedro Aganbi, Executive Secretary of the Titans of Tech Africa Awards Board, who revealed Femi Pedro confirmation noted that the acceptance was a clear indication of his understanding of the immense potential of ICT to revive, renew and indeed reform and transform the country. 

Mr. Femi Pedro was educated at the University of Wisconsin, U.S.A where he bagged a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc. Hon.) degree in Economics and a Master of Arts, M.A. degree in the same discipline from Wichita State University, Kansas, USA. Earlier in Nigeria,

He began his banking career with the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) and rose to the position of assistant manager a Research Economist.

He moved to First City Merchant Bank (now First City Monument Bank Ltd.) in 1988 and was promoted to the post of a deputy manager and head of corporate planning in 1989.

Femi Pedro became one of the first investors in Guaranty Trust Bank and was responsible for opening a multitude of its branches across the southern and northern parts of Nigeria.

He rose to the pinnacle of his banking career as managing director and chief executive of First Atlantic Bank Plc., following the acquisition of the bank by a consortium of investors from where he resigned to join politics as deputy governor to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in January 2003.

The 2023 Titans of Tech Africa Awards will Honour and Celebrate individuals who have made a huge difference not just in their organisations but also on the industry and the country as a whole.

It is recognition of overall excellence, of unflinching commitment and a lifetime of efforts in the service of ICT, humanity and Nigeria.