Adedoyin Odunfa: IT Professional Empowering Women in Tech 

Adedoyin Odunfa, a seasoned IT professional with nearly three decades experience is currently Managing Director/CEO of Digital Jewels Ltd. Her remarkable ability to elevate the strategic significance of IT within organisations, coupled with her impactful interventions across the information value chain have distinguished her from her peers. Her career journey and achievements serve as a testament to the immense potential that women possess in the tech industry, writes Ayodeji Ake 

It is Muriel Strode in his famous quote that advised that, “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Adedoyin Odunfa embodies this philosophy in her career. Her name has become synonymous with tech and digitalisation, thanks to initiatives she steered to elevate IT governance, risk management and compliance practices, making a substantial impact on businesses at home and abroad.

Indeed, Odunfa has carved a niche for herself as the Founder and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Digital Jewels Ltd, a prominent IT GRC consulting and capacity-building firm spanning nine African countries, and boasts a stellar delivery track record worthy of emulation. 

 Odunfa’s valuable interventions across the information value chain have set her apart from her peers, showcasing her ability to drive innovation and transformation. Her remarkable accomplishments have positioned her as a role model for aspiring female professionals in the tech industry.

The Digital Jewels CEO was recently recognised among Nigeria’s Top 100 Most Inspirational Women (2021), the Top 50 Women in Cybersecurity in Africa (2020), and among the top 20 FINTECH Women in Nigeria (2019). Hence, it is no gainsaying then that Odunfa balances her successful career with evidence.

Her rich background spanning 30 years in consulting and business development has lured local and global organisations to tap from her knowledge and experience while also bringing other aspiring tech individuals to transition to the digital space smoothly.

At the International Women’s Day webinar powered by the ISACA Abuja Chapter, Odunfa used the platform to inspire and empower other women to embrace the digital space. Her own success story serves as a testament to the immense potential that women possess in the tech industry.

Through her participation at the conference, Odunfa shared her valuable insights, experiences, and strategies, encouraging other women to confidently navigate the digital landscape and unlock their full potential.

Her efforts were aimed at fostering a more inclusive and diverse tech ecosystem, where women can thrive and contribute to the industry’s growth.

Speaking on the theme of the webinar, “Inspiring Inclusion, Investing in Women to Accelerate Progress: Empowering Women in the Workplace,” as one of the 10 panelists, Odunfa described inclusion as benefiting from diversity and specifically, the focus of IWD is on women.

“There are numerous benefits when you have both male and female professionals around the table,” she argued. “You get different perspectives, thoughts, and patterns and you’re able to make more meaningful, more value-adding decisions,” highlighting the importance of having women included in every endeavour.

 She emphasised: “As a female professional, it is also intentional about identifying opportunities for female professionals and seeing how I can lighten the journey for the next female professional and entrepreneur.”   For the Obafemi Awolowo University alumna, it is paramount to always be prepared to work harder than their male counterparts to prove you can add value; hence, professional women need to come to terms with that reality.

“Also be organised, especially on the home front,” she recommended, reminiscing about a term she encountered early in her career. “I called it, domestic infrastructure,” she chipped in. “We all need to make sure that our domestic infrastructure is solid and functional.”

From the workplace point of view, Odunfa expressed her desire  to add value and impact, gear up to collaborate with people, work the extra mile, stretch herself, and make sure she doesn’t lose sight of people on the work front. 

“In one of my past career roles, my boss told me we would take a client out for dinner. I called to inform my family. My children were still quite young. So, one of them frowned at it. Regardless, I went but I ensured they were well cared for. Domestic infrastructure is being 100 per cent organised,” she added.

According to Odunfa, leaving an eight-to-five job to start her business 16 years ago was a significant career decision.

“The intention was to be an entrepreneur; and set up a subsidiary that would focus on IT-related consulting. But that didn’t work out and I felt led to just step out and start up digital jobs,” she added.

First, she felt convinced she was on the right track. She also felt it was an opportunity to impact Nigeria and Africa – male and female professionals. “When I stepped out, I took up a crop of young people. We worked assiduously through God’s grace to make it happen,” she conceded.

However, the tech expert warned that, the road won’t be a walk in the park.

“Entrepreneurship and technopreneurship is a road less travelled so you do have to be prepared. Whatever decision you take, whether it is even staying within your current career, it will not necessarily be easy but you must be determined to walk through whatever challenges that you may find yourself in. 

“For me, I believe that decision paid off, I believe that 16 years later, we have impacted our space. I’ve had the privilege to take in and groom wonderful professionals and they are all across the world now. We will continue to collaborate. I’ve had the privilege and opportunity to impact organisations and strengthen their policies,” she added.

The first panel of discussion included Odunfa and four others –  Beamline Scientist and Columnist, UK’s National Science Facility, Dr. Chidinma Okolo; Pioneer Director of Digital Literacy and Capacity Development NITDA, Amina Sambo; and the Technical Lead and Security Architect, Nigeria Digital for Identification Development (ID4D) Project, Chinenye Chizea moderated by Naomi Emma.

Principal Manager, IT Security and Resilient Programmes at CBN, Uchenna Emeka-Obi; Manager of IT Applications and Information Management Specialist at NBPC Ltd, Ejiro Ibuaka; Manager, Enterprise Systems Management at NNPC Ltd, Maryam Kontagora; Associate Professor of Cybersecurity, National Open University of Nigeria, Vivian Nwaocha moderated by Mariam Chukwuemeka. 

Certainly, everyone possesses the right to reshape history, and Odunfa is actively inspiring inclusion, and investing in women to accelerate progress effortlessly.