Former Chief Information Officer at RealEdge Digital
Can you please provide a little introduction about yourself
I’m based in Abuja, Nigeria, and formerly served as the CEO and Head of Strategy at RealEdge Digital. Additionally, I contribute in various capacities to a few other mostly SaaS-based companies.
What has your journey to your position been like? What path have you taken?
My journey to my current position has been both dynamic and rewarding. After earning a degree in Computer Science, I began my professional career with a construction company as an Information Officer. This role allowed me to gain valuable insights into managing information systems within a corporate environment.
Through dedication and consistent performance, I climbed the ranks to become the Chief Information Officer (CIO), a key milestone that marked my growth in leadership and strategic decision-making. This experience prepared me for my next significant step: serving as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for a defense company that took government contracts. In this capacity, I gained extensive expertise in operations management, high-level decision-making, and team leadership on a much larger scale.
Eventually, I decided to pursue my entrepreneurial ambitions and founded RealEdge Digital, where I currently serve as the CEO and Head of Strategy. Alongside this role, I also contribute to the success of other organizations in various capacities, leveraging my diverse experiences to create a meaningful impact. Each milestone along my path has equipped me with the skills, knowledge, and resilience necessary for the leadership roles I hold today.
Has it always been your vision to reach the position you’re at? Was your current role part of your vision to become a tech leader?
While my early aspirations leaned toward becoming a mechanical or aeronautical engineer, my path shifted as I discovered a deep passion for information technology and related fields. This passion evolved over time and naturally aligned with my current role as an IT practitioner. Although being a tech leader wasn’t initially part of my childhood vision, my growing love for IT and the opportunities I encountered along the way have made this role a natural culmination of my journey.
Have you had a role model or mentor that has helped you on your journey?
Yes, I’ve been fortunate to have incredible role models who have shaped my journey. First and foremost, my father has been my greatest inspiration. His unwavering dedication, integrity, and work ethic have taught me invaluable life lessons about hard work and respect.
Secondly, my pastors, fondly called PB and Mummy D, have played a pivotal role in moments of self-doubt, offering encouragement and guidance that helped me stay grounded and focused.
In my professional journey, I’ve drawn inspiration from remarkable leaders such as Jeff Bezos, whose entrepreneurial spirit is unparalleled; Nagesh Saldi, CIO at Tesla, for his exemplary leadership in the tech industry; and thought leaders like Alex Hormozi and Sabri Suby, CEO of King Kong Digital, whose innovative approaches to business have left a lasting impact.
I’ve acknowledged many of these influential figures in my book, The Knowledge Millionaire Blueprint, as they’ve shaped my perspectives and motivated me to aim higher. Their examples have been instrumental in helping me navigate my career and leadership journey.
How do you see the role of the technology leader evolving over the next 5 years?
The role of the technology leader will change significantly over the next five years. As change accelerates, tech leaders will need to move beyond being mere technical experts to becoming strategic visionaries, change catalysts, AI and Data Stewards and more. Let me explain what I mean
Strategic Visionary: Technology leaders will transition from managing IT systems to driving business strategy and innovation, aligning technology initiatives with organizational goals.
Change Catalyst: They will play a critical role in leading digital transformation efforts, ensuring organizations remain competitive and adaptive to disruptions.
AI and Data Stewardship: As AI and data become increasingly central to business operations and everyday life in general, leaders will focus on harnessing these tools to deliver actionable insights, improve decision-making, and create value.
Ethical Decision-Making: Technology leaders will need to navigate the ethical implications of emerging technologies, ensuring responsible implementation and maintaining public trust.
Workforce Transformation Leader: Technology leaders will focus on upskilling and reskilling teams to align with new tools, processes, and methodologies.
What skills do you think leaders of the future will need in order to thrive?
Future leaders will need a blend of technical, interpersonal, and strategic skills:
Adaptability: The ability to pivot quickly in response to new developments and disruptions.
Emotional Intelligence: Leaders will need to inspire and connect with teams, understanding the human impact of technological change.
Data Literacy: As data continues to drive decision-making, leaders must have the skills to interpret and leverage it effectively.
Systems Thinking: A holistic understanding of how various technologies, industries, and systems interact will be essential.
Ethical Leadership: As technology permeates every aspect of life, ethical decision-making will be crucial in building trust and safeguarding against misuse.
Continuous Learning: Staying updated with new tools, frameworks, and paradigms will be non-negotiable.
Is there anything in particular that you would still like to achieve in your career or what is the next step on your journey?
The next step in my journey is to build a portfolio of SaaS companies that deliver real value and improve people's lives. My goal is to create solutions that address pressing challenges, streamline operations, and empower individuals and businesses globally. Through these ventures, I hope to leave a lasting impact on the technology landscape while enabling innovation and progress.
What advice would you give to aspiring technology leaders who are just starting their careers?
To aspiring technology leaders, I would say the following:
Focus on the Basics: Build a strong foundation in problem-solving, information systems, and understanding systems.
Learn to Lead: Leadership is not just about authority; it’s about inspiring others, communicating effectively, and driving collaboration.
Embrace Lifelong Learning: The tech landscape evolves rapidly; they need to stay curious and committed to continuous self-improvement.
Be Resilient: In the world of technology, challenges are inevitable, but resilience and persistence will define your success.
Think Big, Start Small: Pursue ambitious goals, but take incremental, actionable steps to achieve them.
Most importantly, surround yourself with mentors and networks that challenge and inspire you. It doesn't matter if they are their mentors by proxy or people they have physical access to
"Think Big, Start Small"
What role do you see emerging technologies (e.g., AI, machine learning, blockchain) playing in your industry, and how are you preparing for them?
Emerging technologies like AI, machine learning, and blockchain are already changing industries, and I believe this is just the start. AI and machine learning will make processes faster and more personalized, improving efficiency and offering highly targeted solutions. Blockchain on the other hand, can transform how we handle transactions, security, transparency, and trust across different fields.
In preparation, I’m staying proactive by:
Continuously upskilling myself and my team in these technologies.
Exploring use cases for emerging tech in our products and services.
Collaborating with experts and thought leaders to stay ahead of trends.
I also prioritize ethical considerations, ensuring these technologies are implemented responsibly to maximize their benefits while minimizing risks.
How do you ensure that you and your team stay updated with the latest technology trends and industry best practices?
To stay ahead, we do a few :
Invest in Continuous Learning: We attend webinars, conferences, and workshops to learn from industry leaders and personally I read 2 books every month on related subjects
Leverage Online Platforms: We subscribe to leading tech publications and platforms to ensure we’re informed about the latest trends and innovations.
Foster a Culture of Curiosity: We encourage team members to experiment, explore, and share knowledge to ensure that learning is collaborative and dynamic.
Focus on Feedback: To us, feedback is important on every level. So regularly, we engage with our team, clients, and stakeholders to help us identify emerging needs and align our strategies accordingly.
Extreme Ownership is a powerful book that has significantly influenced my leadership approach. The book offers valuable lessons on leadership through the lens of high-stakes combat experiences. The central theme revolves around the concept of taking full responsibility for everything in your sphere of influence, whether successes or failures.
A big thank you to Simon Ifaorumhe former CIO of RealEdge Digital for sharing his journey to date.
If you would like to gain more perspective from Tech Leaders and CIOs you can read some of our other interviews here.
