Ebikombo-ere Olodiama is a product manager and artificial intelligence (AI) strategist with expertise in building and managing digital products. In this interview by Kingsley Alumona, she speaks about her work and how AI can help the future of work in Nigeria.
Tell us about your work and how it impacts society.
I work in technology and civil engineering, focusing strongly on product management and artificial intelligence (AI). My expertise lies in building and managing digital products, optimising processes, and leveraging AI to solve real-world problems.
I work at Tompsebet Nigeria Limited, a civil engineering firm; although my experience cuts across Edtech and Fintech products. My role as a product manager allows me to integrate technology into infrastructural projects, making construction more efficient, transparent, and cost-effective.
Nigeria struggles with delayed projects, cost overruns, and inefficient execution. We can predict risks, streamline operations, and improve construction accountability through AI-driven tools, data analytics, and smart project management.
Beyond civil engineering, my experience in AI-powered product management is transforming how the company operate. AI is helping companies make smarter decisions, automate repetitive processes, and create products that meet customer needs. Whether it is in fintech, e-commerce, or government services, AI-driven solutions improve efficiency, cut waste, and drive economic growth.
I approach everything I do with a mindset geared towards solving problems. Nigeria has the talents and potential, but we need to build products that solve problems. That is where good product management, powered by artificial intelligence and data-driven insights, comes in.
Which three sectors do you think a combination of your expertise is needed most?
I believe my expertise in product management and artificial intelligence is crucial in infrastructure development and construction. AI-powered project management can reduce delays, improve cost efficiency, and enhance infrastructure quality. One of Nigeria’s biggest challenges is abandoned projects and poor execution. AI and smart product management can track project progress in real-time, predict material shortages, and prevent fraud. By integrating AI-driven analytics into project planning, we can ensure construction is faster, safer, and within budget.
In financial services and fintech, AI-driven products can simplify digital payments, detect fraud, and expand financial access for underserved people and communities. Millions of Nigerians lack access to formal banking, making cash transactions the norm. AI can analyse non-traditional data like mobile usage, payment history, and spending behaviour to create alternative credit scoring models. This will allow fintech companies to offer loans and financial services to people without a formal banking history, driving financial inclusion.
Finally, in the public sector and governance, with AI-driven automation, government processes can become more transparent and efficient, increase revenue generation, reduce waste, and be corruption-free. The Nigerian civil service is plagued with bureaucratic bottlenecks and inefficiencies. AI-driven automation can reduce paperwork, eliminate unnecessary delays, and improve service delivery. For instance, an AI-powered tax system can track revenue, reduce tax fraud, and ensure better government accountability.
How would you advise the Nigerian government to ensure that your area of work and expertise receives the attention it deserves to impact the country positively?
If Nigeria wants to compete globally, we need to embrace product-driven innovation and AI adoption at scale.
My advice to the government would be for it to invest in AI and tech-driven infrastructure. AI is not just for the private sector. It can improve national planning, security, and governance. The government should support AI-driven smart cities, predictive policing, and efficient tax collection systems. Streamlining bureaucracy with AI-powered systems can cut down delays in government services, reduce corruption, and improve transparency.
I would advise the government to support local product innovation and invest in AI and product management education. Instead of depending on imported tech solutions, we should fund and develop homegrown AI-driven products that cater to Nigeria’s unique challenges.
The future workforce must be AI-literate. Nigeria should integrate AI, coding, and product management into university curriculums and technical training programs. Nigeria has the talents and potential. What we need is the right leadership and policies to scale these innovations.
What is your advice to young people aspiring to work in your line of career?
The future belongs to those who can build, innovate, and solve real problems. If you want to thrive in product management and AI, you should learn the fundamentals of product and technology: You do not need to be a coder, but you must understand how AI-powered products are built, tested, and launched.
Young people in Nigeria should learn how to solve real societal problems. Too many startups copy foreign ideas without local adaptation. Instead, find problems that matter to Nigerians whether in fintech, education, or logistics, and build products that truly work. Master data and critical thinking. Product management is not guesswork. Learn to analyse market trends, interpret customer data, and make informed decisions.
Furthermore, be open to experimentation and failure. The best products come from iterations, testing, and learning from mistakes. Do not be afraid to fail fast and pivot. Also, network and find mentors. Success in tech is about whom you learn from. Join AI communities, tech groups, and product forums to connect with like-minded professionals.
Finally, and most importantly, stay adaptable. AI and product management are constantly evolving, and those who keep learning, iterating and staying ahead of trends will always win.
What are your final thoughts on these issues you have talked about?
Most of the interventions and advice I have offered here, I have spoken and written about in my recent newspaper publications in The Guardian titled ‘Why Nigerian govt, businesses should develop their AI integration, adoption strategies’ and Nigerian Tribune newspaper titled ‘AI’s ethics: Why Nigeria must have a seat at the table’.
Nigeria’s biggest challenges aren’t just about the usage of AI technology and the paucity of funds for development. They are mostly about inefficiencies in how we build, manage, and scale solutions.
AI and product management are transformational ─ not just for businesses but for governments across the globe.
We need to stop thinking short-term and start investing in scalable, technology-driven solutions that can move Nigeria forward. If we embrace AI, product-driven innovation, and smart governance, and localise these technologies and concepts, Nigeria will be a major leader in these spaces in the African continent and globally.
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