The Nigerian technology landscape celebrated one of its brightest minds as Chukwuebuka Akwiwu-Uzoma was named the Data & Analytics Engineering Professional of the Year. The prestigious honour was conferred at the 11th Nigeria Technology Awards (NiTA) 2025, held in Lagos on 18 December 2025.
A Career Defined by Impact and Innovation
Akwiwu-Uzoma's award recognises a professional journey dedicated to leveraging data for transformative change. His work spans creating data-driven solutions that promote financial inclusion across Africa's digital economy. Furthermore, his technical contributions have played a role in the development of billions of semiconductor devices worldwide.
Beyond technical builds, his career is marked by significant research, active technical engagements, and a deep commitment to cultivating Nigeria's pipeline of technical talent for the future digital economy.
Driving Talent Development Through National Initiatives
A cornerstone of Akwiwu-Uzoma's community impact is his role in mentoring the next generation. He actively trains young Nigerians through the federal government's 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy.
This programme, designed to build Nigeria's technical backbone, has already trained over 90,000 Nigerians across 197 Partner Applied Learning Clusters nationwide. He also contributes to the AfricaPlan Career-Boosting Mentorship for Nigeria Tech Youth via the GMI mentorship scheme.
His influence extends to shaping policy and supporting enterprises. He has served as an SME Judge and Panellist at the Nigeria CABLE Annual Symposium and Exhibition, where he evaluated grants for small businesses and shared expert insights on the growth of Africa's digital economy.
Recognition in a Highly Competitive Field
The Data & Analytics Engineering Professional of the Year category is one of NiTA's most sought-after, receiving over 830 nominations. It specifically honours professionals who blend deep technical skill with tangible, measurable impact on both industry and national development.
Commenting on the winner, Felix Nnuji, Event Director and Advisory Board Member of NiTA, stated that Akwiwu-Uzoma's achievements embody the forward-thinking spirit of Nigeria's tech professionals. He noted they are actively shaping the digital economy through data intelligence and community contributions.
"His success reinforces NiTA’s mission to celebrate excellence and inspire the next generation of tech leaders," Nnuji added.
In his response to the award, Akwiwu-Uzoma expressed humility and inspiration. "I am a product of Nigeria’s digital economy, which is powered by our people, and I’m honored to contribute to both our global reputation and local talent development," he said. "This award motivates me to continue bridging world-class technical expertise with inclusive economic development at home."
Established in 2015, the Nigeria Technology Awards (NiTA) continues to be a premier platform acknowledging individuals and organisations that drive technological innovation, transformation, and growth across the nation's digital ecosystem.
