There’s no dramatic turning point or overnight success. What she’ll say instead is simple: she kept learning, doing, and showing up—over and over again.

Now the acting CEO of Nugi Technologies, Ajoke’s journey here hasn’t followed the kind of neat, upward trajectory that headlines are made of. It’s been a series of pivots, experiments, and choices rooted in resilience, curiosity, and a deep sense of responsibility.

Born and raised in a middle-class household in Lagos, Ajoke Akinlabi grew up surrounded by the joyful and vibrant chaos of school routines and neighbourhood games. That’s where some of her earliest leadership instincts kicked in—organising games, making sure no one got left out, quietly learning how to build trust and hold space for others. 

“Even as a kid, I liked bringing people together,” she says. “I didn’t have the language for it then, but I think I was always thinking like a team builder.”

That natural inclination toward community-building would later become a cornerstone of her management philosophy.

For a while, she thought medicine was her calling. But after some honest conversations with family, she pivoted toward pharmacology—only to find herself eventually landing in microbiology at the University of Agriculture in Abeokuta. For some, that might feel like a series of detours. For Ajoke, it was just the path unfolding in real time.

It was during her university years that another side of Ajoke began to emerge: the problem-solver and entrepreneur. To supplement her income, she started a small catering business, not just to earn money but to meet a need she saw among her peers.

That experience sparked something deeper—an instinct to listen, adapt, and build. These are traits that now define her approach as a leader in the tech industry.

A Career Built from Experience

After graduation, Ajoke’s path didn’t settle into any one shape. Instead, her early career played out more like a mosaic—made up of different pieces, each adding something new to her perspective. During her service year, she worked with the Abia State local government, spent some time teaching at a local primary school, and even explored interior design.

Each role, while seemingly unrelated, taught her something valuable: how to build from the ground up, manage expectations, and adapt when things don’t go as planned.

The real turning point came in 2015, when a friend’s connection helped her land a role as an account reconciliation officer at a technology firm.  The firm’s managing director also owned a hospital, so she took on additional duties as an account officer there as well.

Ajoke threw herself into the work with the same meticulous attention to detail that had always defined her. It didn’t take long before she took on more responsibilities, impressing management with her problem-solving skills and eagerness to learn. In just three years, her hard work paid off when she was promoted to manager and accountant.

This period solidified Ajoke’s reputation as someone who could quickly master new skills while nurturing strong, meaningful relationships. Her knack for learning fast and connecting with people didn’t go unnoticed, especially by Ugi Augustine Ugi, entrepreneur and founder of Nugi Technologies.

The friendship that blossomed with Mr. Ugi became the stepping stone into Ajoke’s career in the tech industry. She joined Nugi Technologies in 2018, starting in client relations. It was here that she immersed herself in every aspect of the company’s operations and technology offerings. Although her background wasn’t in software engineering, Ajoke was determined to grasp the core of what the company did.

“Technology solutions aren’t just about coding,” she explains. “They’re about understanding human problems and using the right tools to solve them. My diverse background helped me see how different industries work and what they truly need.”

In the seven years since joining Nugi Technologies, Ajoke has moved through a variety of roles—from client relations to head of communications, then head of the public sector, COO, and now acting CEO.

Her progression reflects not only ambition but also a deep curiosity about every aspect of the business. That inquisitiveness has become her trademark.

“I ask questions all the time,” she says. “I believe it’s impossible to lead effectively if you don’t understand what your team is doing and why they’re doing it.”

Leading with Intention

Ajoke’s time as COO gave her a strong foundation in managing the business, a grounding that she has carried confidently into her role as acting CEO. Even in her current position, she remains deeply involved in operations, believing that a strategic vision must always be built on practical understanding.

Describing herself as someone who listens before she acts and thinks before she speaks, Ajoke’s leadership style is hands-on, but never overbearing.

“I believe in empowering people, not micromanaging them,” she says. “I’m focused on making sure every decision is thoughtful, every process is intentional, and every team member feels seen.”

While developing her own leadership approach, Ajoke acknowledges the profound influence of Ugi Augustine Ugi. “Mr. Ugi is a dreamer, a visionary in the truest sense, and an exceptional leader,” she reflects.

“His approach has shaped me. There are times when I ask myself, ‘How would he handle this?’ His belief in what’s possible pushes me to think bigger. I often tell him, ‘I see your vision, and I want to triple it.’”

Ajoke Akinlabi is also committed to ongoing learning. Currently pursuing an MBA in information technology, her goal isn’t to become an engineer herself, but to better understand the space in order to lead the engineers who drive the company’s innovations.

The Future of Ajoke Akinlabi 

Looking ahead, Ajoke is focused on growth, not just in numbers, but in impact. “My goal isn’t growth for growth’s sake; it’s about creating technology solutions that truly address African challenges while meeting global standards,” she explains.

She wants Nugi Technologies to be known not just for its products, but for its culture—a place where innovation and people coexist, where systems support creativity, and where leadership is earned, not imposed.

Ajoke’s journey is one of perseverance, showing up with your best effort, and making strategic moves that add up to meaningful change. She didn’t rush the process; she trusted it. And now, she leads with the same steadiness that has guided her every step of the way.

The project, backed by a ¥1.6 billion grant — that’s about $12.1 million or over N18 billion — and is aimed at raising tech entrepreneurs across the country.

The deal was formally signed in Abuja at the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, where government officials and Japanese delegates gathered to finalise the agreement. Representing Nigeria was Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, while Mr. Hitoshi Kozaki stood in for Japan.

No long talk — this is about serious business.

This is beyond just a normal handshake in the name of “partnership.” The Japanese money is going into bricks, networks, and brains.

The Abuja innovation hub will rise as a central structure in Nigeria’s growing tech ecosystem, and it’s not just about the building — it’s about what’s going to happen inside it. Talent will be shaped. Ideas will be tested. Ventures will rise.

Over the next five years and eight months — from April 2025 until December 2030 — the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) will jointly steer the project. The goal is to get young Nigerians to create businesses that can scale beyond Nigeria and rival some of Africa’s top startups.

There’s a clear line from this project to the presidency. President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda has been flagged as the backdrop for this initiative, a comprehensive economic blueprint that leans on tech and private sector investment to drive job creation. 

Kashifu Inuwa, director general of NITDA, pointed to earlier collaborations with JICA, particularly the iHatch incubation programme, which he described as a concrete example of results.

“We have been collaborating with them on so many initiatives like iHatch. The pilot we did resulted in creating over 117 direct jobs and more than 370 indirect jobs, and now we are working together with them to expand it to all 36 states and the FCT,” he said.

The iHatch programme offers six months of startup incubation, helping teams build real products using Japanese technical support. It’s the kind of targeted intervention that goes beyond workshops and buzzwords. Real ventures. Real jobs.

But it doesn’t stop there.

NITDA and JICA have also been connecting the dots between Nigerian and Japanese innovators. Startups are getting the chance to network, learn, and even showcase their products in Japan — a rare opening in a country where international exposure can be a game-changer.

Women aren’t being left out of the equation either. Last month, both agencies rolled out the “IgniteHer” Entrepreneurship Bootcamp — a five-day intensive in Abuja aimed at giving women founders the tools to break structural barriers and scale their businesses.

There’s a lot on the table. Money, mentorship, access, and infrastructure. What remains is execution.