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Product management in Nigeria is undergoing an exciting transformation, driven by a diverse group of forward-thinking professionals. To rise in this profession is not a mean feat. It takes a combination of grit, skills, patience and direction. In this article, we are exploring top 10 professionals that have paved their names in the class of excellence, showcase their innovative contributions, and their significant input to the development of this sector in Nigeria.
Oluwatobi Otokiti
Oluwatobi is a known figure reshaping the industry with her innovative approach to developing solutions. As a distinguished member of the Forbes Technology Council, her exceptional contributions have earned her a spot among the top 10 product management leaders. With a bachelors and master’s degree in computer science and numerous certifications, Oluwatobi has honed her craft extensively.
Her career boasts significant roles in three unicorns namely Flutterwave, Andela, and Interswitch underscoring her prowess as a formidable leader. She empowers upcoming professionals through her platform, Productive, an educational hub for product managers displaying expertise and ingenuity throughout her endeavors. She also volunteers at Techstars, where she mentors startups. Her track record has earned her a spot as a top leader in the industry.
Kanayochukwu Sophia Umeh
Kanayochukwu is an ingenious product guru with a unique blend of expertise in business and finance. Her deep understanding of financial principles complements her product management skills, enabling her to create solutions that are both strategically sound and financially viable.
With a proven track record in leading successful initiatives, she excels at aligning business objectives with market needs. Her integrated approach ensures that solutions are not only effective but also economically relevant. She is committed to balancing creativity with analytical rigor while striving to deliver products that contribute to sustainable growth and long-term success. She has been celebrated with the Product Innovation Excellence Award by Tech Trailblazer for her distinctive approach in the industry. Kanayochukwu deserves her flowers as a top product manager in the field.
Benjamin Dada
Benjamin is a dynamic product manager and fintech entrepreneur, leading product development and driving success for various companies’ offerings. His career spans Nigeria, South Africa, and the UK, providing him with a rich cultural perspective and a robust professional network. He has an in-depth understanding of the niche and its intersection with business development, partnerships. Operations and growth.
Highly esteemed in the sector, he has played a pivotal role in scaling numerous startups. Beyond fintech, he is a prominent figure in African Tech Media, having spent over eight years as a journalist and media entrepreneur documenting the continent’s tech evolution. His unique blend of expertise, exposure, and passion makes him a top leader in the scene.
Tolu Adesina
Tolu is an experienced product lead with a strong history of working in the design and software niche. Armed with a bachelors in computer science and a master’s in business management, he has achieved a fine blend of excellence in building what people want. He is currently the senior product manager at Moniepoint Group.
A member of the British computer society, his professional career has involved organizations such as Unboxd, Mainstack, bene:studio and Rewrite agency amongst others. His experience in leadership and people management have been instrumental to his success. He has expertise in business development and delivery which comes in handy while managing product, engineering and design teams that successfully deliver high value projects and digital projects. He volunteers extensively on platforms such as adplist.org and Startup Lagos. He has earned his mark as a top professional in the industry.
Adebare Adedokun
She is known for her excellence as a top expert particularly in refining goods and services to fit the target audience seamlessly. She has a knack for translating ideas into practical scalable solutions. Her passion for customer centric products have seen her head several notable projects.
Adebare’s professional sojourn has taken her across several organizations. She has also been recognized with the prestigious Product Innovation Excellence Award by Tech Trailblazer for her impressive track record. Skilled in stakeholder engagement and market analysis, with a strong ability to communicate effectively and manage product performance to align with market needs, she has shown that deserves her place at the top. Committed to a customer-centric approach, utilizing data-driven decision-making and efficient methodologies to foster product innovation and deliver real value, she spends her free time giving back to her community and mentoring upcoming professionals.
Chioma Obiokolo
She heads technology products & consulting at VIISAUS, a top firm dedicated to breaking barriers and driving impactful change across Africa. With a passion for harnessing the power of data and technology, she spearheads initiatives that redefine norms.
Her commitment to creating impactful solutions drives her to consistently push the boundaries of what’s possible. Known for her effective communication, she fosters team cohesion and excels in addressing real-world challenges as a key leader in the sector. At VIISAUS, she contributes her quota to a vision of leveraging data and technology to create positive transformations, guiding the company towards its mission of driving change across the continent. She participates in community activities and industry events. Through a relentless pursuit of skilled craftsmanship, she is a driving force in advancing Nigeria’s technology sector.
Stella Abu
As a promising Product and Program Manager with extensive experience in corporate banking, fintech, and tech startups, she specializes in transforming innovative ideas into user-centric products and programs that drive growth and engagement. Her approach begins with a deep understanding of customer needs, ensuring that every solution not only meets but exceeds expectations.
By leveraging market insights and trend analysis, she aids businesses navigate challenges, turning potential pitfalls into opportunities for success. Her track record reflects a commitment to launching products on time and within budget, always aligned with overarching organizational goals. Her expertise in effective product management ensures that resources are optimized, preventing wasted efforts on ineffective initiatives. With a focus on delivering guaranteed ROI, she is dedicated to driving engagement and adoption, empowering businesses to not only meet but anticipate the needs of their target audience.
Efe Ogufere
PiggyVest, Nigeria’s largest online savings platform with over 5 million users, benefits greatly from Efe’s expertise as a senior product manager. He excels in crafting products that resonate with customers, thanks to his sharp strategic insight and relentless drive.
He oversees the development and execution of the B2B software product roadmap, contributing significantly to the company’s market success. His strategic acumen and drive have led to unparalleled market penetration and successful launches. His leadership of cross-functional teams have consistently positioned the firm for success. Outside of fintech innovation, his creative side shines through in his poetry and pop culture critiques, reflecting his diverse talents. He has earned his spot as a top professional in the industry.
Uchechukwu Oluwakayode Ukaigwe
He leads the full cycle development process with his company, where he drives forward-thinking strategies that advance both products and businesses. His expertise in integrating technology to streamline processes and improve customer experiences sets him apart.
Drawing from his extensive experience in the field, Uchechukwu excels at fostering cross-functional teamwork to implement innovative solutions. He is well versed in developing digital and SaaS products, effective product planning, data analysis, and expert communication, ensuring efficiency. His approach involves integration of experience research and UX design to create user-centric products while identifying growth opportunities and product-market fit through data-driven insights. His proactive mindset and dedication to excellence play a crucial role in steering clients through effective digital transformations, ensuring they achieve lasting growth and a competitive edge with their solutions.
Jerome Nzegbuna
Jerome is a results-driven Product Manager leading the development team driving vision, strategy, and roadmap of workflow automation features for The African Talent Company (Jobberman NG & GH, Brightermonday KE & UG) brand’s mobile apps and web platforms as well as owning product-led growth strategy for User Onboarding, Job Listings and Search, Application and Hiring Process, assessment and Payment integration.
His meticulous attention to detail and deep industry knowledge are evident in the impactful solutions he has developed for various organizations. He brings valuable experience in cross-functional leadership and growth execution. Jerome’s expertise lies in crafting user-centric solutions with an efficient touch. Collaborating closely with other teams such as engineering, he refines product roadmaps and sets ambitious yet achievable goals. His leadership fosters creativity and excellence ensuring The African Talent Company remains at the forefront in the industry.
The product management scene is flourishing, fueled by the strategic and innovative initiatives of these remarkable professionals in the field. Their efforts have established new benchmarks for product quality, fostering technological progress and enhancing user experiences across multiple industries. As they push existing boundaries, their influence extends beyond their companies, helping to establish Nigeria as a significant contender in the global tech landscape.