In a resounding acknowledgement of his visionary leadership and groundbreaking work in the financial technology sector, Benjamin Monday Ojonugwa has been named the recipient of the 2022 City People Tech Innovation Award. This highly coveted award, presented as part of the City People Tech Innovation Awards, celebrates individuals who have used technology to create transformative solutions, advance their industries, and contribute meaningfully to societal progress.
For Ojonugwa, the award is a crowning achievement in a career dedicated to expanding Nigeria’s digital payment ecosystem and driving financial inclusion across the nation.
Selection Process: Recognising Tech Leadership and Impact
The City People Tech Innovation Award selection process is highly competitive, designed to identify leaders who have harnessed technology to deliver measurable impact and societal value. Each year, nominations are solicited by industry peers, business leaders, and the public. Candidates are evaluated by a distinguished panel of experts on criteria such as:
- Innovation: The originality and ingenuity of technological solutions implemented.
- Impact: The extent to which these innovations have transformed industries or improved lives.
- Scalability: The potential for these solutions to drive long-term growth.
- Social good: Contributions to inclusion, access, and societal progress.
Ojonugwa’s nomination stood out for the transformative role he has played in democratising digital payments, advancing financial inclusion, and strengthening Nigeria’s digital economy. His ability to deploy technology in a way that bridges gaps, both economic and geographic, perfectly embodies the spirit of the award.
A Visionary Rooted in Purpose
He earned a B.Sc. in Economics from Lagos State University in 2011. To further sharpen his expertise, he obtained an MBA from the University of Chichester in 2020 and a Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership from the Metropolitan School of Business & Management.
Ojonugwa’s leadership skills were further refined through advanced executive programs at Lagos Business School, Ausso Leadership Academy, and Regenesys Business School, where he gained mastery in strategic sales, performance management, and business modelling, capabilities that have fueled his success in Nigeria’s fintech sector.
Pioneering Digital Payment Solutions at Global Accelerex
In 2013, Ojonugwa joined Global Accelerex Ltd, a fintech start-up with a provisional license from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), no clients, and no operational footprint. From these humble beginnings, he played a pivotal role in turning vision into reality. As one of the founding members of the company’s service operations, he helped build the technological and operational infrastructure necessary to deliver secure, efficient, and scalable payment solutions.
Under his leadership, Global Accelerex’s Payment Terminal Service Provider (PTSP) operations transformed into a market leader. By 2017, the company had achieved the status of PTSP with the highest transaction volume in Nigeria and second in active terminal deployment, as reported by NIBSS. Ojonugwa’s innovative strategies integrated cutting-edge payment technologies, expanded service coverage, and enhanced transaction security, reshaping how businesses and consumers engage with digital payments.
Championing Tech Innovation for Financial Inclusion
Ojonugwa’s work aligns perfectly with the City People Tech Innovation Award’s mission to honour innovators using technology to solve real-world problems. His contributions have:
- Extended digital payments to underserved regions: By establishing a presence in all 36 states, he ensured that merchants, SMEs, and consumers in remote and rural areas could benefit from modern payment solutions.
- Enhanced transaction security and efficiency: Ojonugwa championed the deployment of smart POS devices with advanced encryption and real-time processing, significantly improving customer trust and operational reliability.
- Built an integrated payment ecosystem: His partnership initiatives with banks, retailers, and other fintech players created seamless, interoperable systems that benefit the broader economy.
Through these efforts, Ojonugwa has directly supported Nigeria’s shift toward a cashless society, fostering transparency, reducing costs, and boosting economic participation.
A Career Distinguished by Results
Throughout his tenure at Global Accelerex, Ojonugwa has held critical leadership roles, including Head of Customer Service Relations, System Operations Manager, Relationship Management Manager, Sales & Business Development Manager, Acting Head of Sales & Business Development, and currently, Head of Corporate Sales & Business Development. In every role, he has blended technology with strategy to drive remarkable outcomes:
- Built and led teams that executed nationwide sales and service operations.
- Implemented data-driven decision-making processes to refine business strategies.
- Negotiated and secured partnerships that expanded market reach and enhanced service offerings.
His efforts have not gone unnoticed. Within Global Accelerex, he has earned distinctions including Outstanding Staff of the Year (2017), Employee of the Year (2018), and Long Service Award (2019).
Looking Ahead: A Catalyst for Nigeria’s Digital Future
For Ojonugwa, the 2022 City People Tech Innovation Award is not just a recognition of past achievements; it is a call to continue innovating and leading. Known for his assertive yet collaborative approach, he remains committed to shaping the next generation of digital financial solutions.
Reflecting on the honour, Ojonugwa shared: “This award represents the power of technology to transform industries and touch lives. It is a reminder that innovation must always be driven by purpose, to create value, empower communities, and build a better future. I am deeply grateful and inspired to continue this journey.”
As Nigeria advances its digital transformation agenda, innovators like Benjamin Monday Ojonugwa will remain central to building a fintech landscape that is inclusive, resilient, and world-class.
