In a significant recognition of a career dedicated to technological advancement, DeRemi Atanda was recently conferred as a Fellow of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS). The ceremony took place at the National Information Technology Merit Awards (NITMA) 2025, held in Lagos on Thursday, November 21, 2025.
A Career Defined by Quiet, Transformative Impact
The NCS Fellowship is a top honour reserved for professionals whose work has profoundly shaped Nigeria's computing and technology landscape. For Atanda, the Managing Director of Remita Payment Services Limited, this award is a testament to nearly 30 years of experience spent building the digital backbone of the nation's public and financial sectors.
His career challenges the notion that innovation must be loud and disruptive. Instead, Atanda's legacy is one of gradual, methodical development of platforms, policies, and systems that have become critical national infrastructure. As noted by Dr. Muhammad Sirajo Aliyu, President of the NCS, the award embodies the association's core values of excellence, integrity, innovation, and impact.
Architect of Nigeria's Digital Financial Foundations
Long before becoming a visible industry leader, Atanda was instrumental in foundational digital reforms. His work has directly influenced Nigeria's economic and social frameworks. Two of his most iconic contributions include:
- The Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS): Funded by the World Bank, this project created Nigeria's first biometrics-based centralized database for civil servants. It automated the processing of salaries, pensions, and taxes, bringing unprecedented transparency and efficiency.
- The Treasury Single Account (TSA): Atanda played a key role in developing one of Africa's largest public financial management systems, which consolidated government revenues for better accountability.
These projects reflect his leadership philosophy: using technology to foster transparency, efficiency, and accountability at a national scale. He has consistently balanced innovation with governance, ensuring technology serves the public good.
Mentorship, Ecosystem Leadership, and a Broader Vision
Atanda's journey underscores the power of mentorship. He benefited greatly from the guidance of Dr. John Obaro, founder of SystemSpecs Holdings, who instilled in him a philosophy of patience, systems thinking, and national relevance. This mentorship shaped Atanda's belief that technology is the plumbing for society, not the end goal.
His influence extends across the fintech ecosystem. In 2025, he was appointed to the Governing Council of the Fintech Association of Nigeria and made Chairman of the Coordination Committee of the Fintech CEOs and Founders Forums. This places him at the heart of strategic partnerships within the sector.
Under his leadership, Remita Payment Services Limited has grown into one of Nigeria's longest-standing and most reliable fintech brands, serving millions. Beyond corporate success, Atanda is a passionate advocate for youth development and ethical innovation. He actively mentors young professionals and startups, emphasizing patience, resilience, and ethical clarity as pillars for building enduring institutions.
A Legacy Still Unfolding
The NCS Fellowship is a well-earned milestone in a remarkable career. It affirms Atanda's role as a steward of Nigeria's technological future—a leader who has advanced public finance, strengthened fintech, and expanded digital access.
His training as a physicist (University of Ibadan), an MBA holder (Lagos Business School), and an executive programme alumnus of Stanford and Pan-Atlantic University has given him a unique blend of technical insight and strategic vision. This outlook has been crucial in navigating the challenges of digitizing Africa's largest economy.
As Nigeria's digital economy accelerates, the need for leaders like DeRemi Atanda—with deep technical expertise, ethical integrity, and a national vision—has never been greater. His legacy, built not on noise but on thoughtful leadership and enduring systems, continues to unfold.
