The undeniable growth and potential within the sphere of product innovation have called for recognition. This need led to the creation of the Product Innovation Excellence Award by Tech Trailblazer in Nigeria. This prestigious award highlights remarkable skills, ingenuity, and leadership in product development, honoring those who have excelled in driving impactful innovations within the technology sector. The individuals selected to receive this accolade are truly outstanding in their contributions to the industry.
The award promotes creative thinking and rewards top product innovators and leaders who have made significant strides in developing transformative solutions. By recognizing these remarkable achievements, the award fosters a culture of innovation, setting high standards and encouraging continuous improvement within the product development community.
Achieving the pinnacle of one’s career is a rare feat, and winning the Product Innovation Excellence Award is proof that a professional stands among the top product innovators influencing the technology landscape in Nigeria. It is not just a personal triumph but also a testament to one’s contributions to advancing the industry. The award places recipients among an elite group of innovators who have demonstrated exceptional talent and leadership in their fields.
At the heart of this esteemed platform are the distinguished members of the selection committee, each renowned for their expertise and exemplary contributions to the technology sector. The selection committee includes:
- Oladipo Adebayo – Chief Innovation Officer, African Tech Innovations
- Mariam Usman – Vice President of Product Strategy, Institute of Technology and Innovation
- Suleiman Adeola – Director of Strategy, Product Development Initiative
- Omolola Adekunle – Director of Product Innovation, Lagos Tech Hub
- Fatima Ibrahim – Head of Product Research, Nigerian Institute of Technology and Design (NITD).
The selection committee carefully reviews submissions from a pool of nominees whose accomplishments stand out in the product innovation sector. The process involves voting by committee members and other industry stakeholders to determine the most deserving recipient. From over 150 nominated professionals, only one individual emerges victorious each year.
The award’s history reflects its tradition of excellence, with past recipients recognized for their visionary contributions. Previous winners of the Product Innovation Excellence Award include:
- Henry Aroh – Principal Product Manager at Quidax (Award Winner 2023)
- Oluwaseun Lawal – Lead Product Manager at EvolveHive (Award Winner 2022)
- Adebare Hannah Adedokun – Director of Product Management and Strategy at OmniNex (Award Winner 2021)
- Martha Addo-Prekko – Chief Product Officer at Emphaloz Technology (Award Winner 2020)
- Olamide Arolambo – Head Product Management at CoreTech Labs (Award Winner 2019)
- Chidinma Anozie – VP Product Strategy at Innov8 Systems (Award Winner 2018)
- Funke Adeola – Executive Director of Product Strategy at Nexa Technologies (Award Winner 2017)
- Adeola Oladipo – Group Product Manager at AlphaEdge Innovations (Award Winner 2016)
- Gabriel Odu – Vice President of Product Innovation at DataMinds Solutions (Award Winner 2015)
These innovators have not only pushed the boundaries of product development but have also inspired others to pursue excellence within their respective fields.
The award ceremony has become a highly anticipated event, attracting national and regional recognition along with industry leaders and dignitaries. From its inaugural year, graced by notable figures such as HRH Muhammadu Sanusi II, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, to subsequent editions attended by the CEO of Big Cabal Media and other industry luminaries, the event has cemented its place on the industry calendar.
Beyond recognition, the ceremony has opened doors for cross-national collaborations with leading institutions, such as the Africa Innovation Consortium, and attracted sponsorship from prestigious organizations like Andela, Dangote, and GTCO. These partnerships solidify the award’s significance within the product innovation community, ensuring its status as a pinnacle of excellence in the field.
