On December 5, 2022, amid the gleam of chandeliers and the rhythmic hum of celebratory conversations, Rahman Akorede Shittu stood under the bright lights of the 2022 City People Tech Innovation Awards, held in Lagos, Nigeria. The moment was poignant, even cinematic. For a man who had spent years behind screens, decoding data and building systems, this was his emergence into a well-deserved spotlight.
The City People Tech Innovation Awards, which has grown to become a barometer of excellence in Nigeria’s technology ecosystem, honoured Rahman with a recognition that few in his discipline receive: the Outstanding Tech Research and Data Innovation Leader of the Year. The award didn’t just celebrate his technical prowess but lauded his unwavering commitment to leveraging data for real-world change.
But this accolade didn’t materialise overnight.
A Journey Rooted in Purpose
Rahman’s journey began far from the gloss of gala nights. After earning his Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from the University of Ilorin in 2005, he dove deep into Nigeria’s public health challenges, first as a Satellite Data Coordinator and later as a Program Associate at the AIDS Prevention Initiative Nigeria (APIN) at the University College Hospital, Ibadan. Between 2007 and 2021, he was instrumental in shaping data-driven strategies for HIV/AIDS monitoring and patient care, work that made a tangible difference in lives but rarely made headlines.
What set Rahman apart was his rare ability to integrate statistical precision with human-centred impact. Whether it was creating patient treatment response charts or streamlining monthly DHIS reports, his data solutions were always anchored in improving systems that serve people.
Scaling New Heights in Europe
Having already mastered the intricacies of public health data management, Rahman embarked on a new frontier in his professional journey. As a graduate student pursuing a Master of Science in Information Technology at the University of Eastern Finland in Joensuu, he positioned himself at the confluence of global innovation and academic excellence, poised to make transformative contributions on the international stage.
There, he wasn’t just compiling data; he was conducting literature reviews, generating visual data narratives, and ensuring that all research met stringent international standards. His contributions were noted internally for setting a new standard of diligence and analytical creativity in a field often dominated by hardware engineers.
The Data Visionary
What made Rahman’s recognition by City People even more impactful was the cross-sector influence he wielded. In 2022, his reputation as a data visionary expanded beyond public health and telecommunications. He was increasingly seen as a thought leader advocating for responsible, inclusive data practices in technology. His work at the time wasn’t limited to backend systems or technical jargon; it touched on ethical considerations, data privacy, and inclusive access to tech solutions, particularly in emerging economies.
The Award Night
As his name was called out at the award ceremony, a ripple of applause filled the hall. Clad in a sharply tailored navy blue agbada embroidered with binary-inspired patterns, a subtle nod to his digital roots, Rahman walked to the stage with a humble smile and a heart full of purpose.
In his acceptance speech, he did not revel in personal achievements. Instead, he dedicated the award to “every data analyst, programmer, and public health researcher who works behind the scenes to make systems work for people.” He emphasised the importance of responsible innovation and called for more inclusion of African data scientists in global tech development.
The audience, composed of tech executives, policymakers, academics, and entrepreneurs, responded with a standing ovation. The speech resonated, particularly in a year where Nigeria’s tech sector faced both soaring triumphs and sobering introspection.
Looking Back from the Threshold
By the end of 2022, Rahman Shittu had not only earned his stripes in statistical and technological circles but had become an emblem of integrity and purpose. Whether he was building predictive models or mentoring young scientists, his commitment remained rooted in one philosophy: that technology is only as good as the good it does.
The City People Tech Innovation Award served not as a peak but a threshold, marking the end of a chapter built on tireless work and the beginning of one brimming with promise. Rahman’s career, already rich with accomplishments, was poised for even greater impact. Yet, as he left the award hall that night, he remained the same person who had once spent hours ensuring data integrity at UCH Ibadan, driven not by applause but by impact.
