Onyinyechukwu Gift Ositadinma is emerging as a transformative figure in digital healthcare, redefining how cancer patients are supported across the United Kingdom.

She was born in Amachai quarters of Ugbolu Kingdom in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State and raised in Abia State, Nigeria, her journey into digital health was not shaped in a laboratory or technology hub, but through deeply personal loss.

While living in Nigeria, Gift experienced the devastating impact of cancer firsthand. She lost her grandfather, Chief Paul Jones Okonkwo, to prostate cancer, and her grandmother, Lolo Margaret Okonkwo, who endured a prolonged battle with a hereditary illness. These experiences exposed critical gaps in patient support, access to information, and emotional care for families navigating serious illnesses.

Determined to address these challenges, she set out to create a solution.

Today, Gift Ositadinma is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Cancer Compass UK, an AI-powered digital health platform designed to guide cancer patients, survivors, and their families through every stage of the cancer journey;from diagnosis to recovery and beyond.

Her motivation, she says, is rooted in a simple conviction: no one should have to face cancer alone.

At the centre of the platform is “Oyim,” an AI-powered health companion.

The name, derived from her Delta heritage, translates to “my dear friend,” reflecting her commitment to humanising healthcare technology. Unlike conventional clinical tools, Oyim communicates in clear, compassionate language, offering not only medical guidance but also emotional reassurance.

Cancer Compass UK extends beyond basic digital assistance. The platform incorporates a comprehensive suite of services, including a specialist and hospital locator, treatment navigation tools, financial guidance resources, mental health support, and a moderated community forum where users can connect and share experiences.

In a move aimed at inclusivity, the platform also supports multiple languages such as Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa;addressing a significant gap for African and diaspora communities often underserved within mainstream healthcare systems.

Notably, Cancer Compass UK originated as an academic project. While pursuing her MSc in IT Project Management at Teesside University, where she graduated with distinction, Gift Ositadinma developed the concept as her dissertation. Rather than leaving it as a theoretical exercise, she independently transformed it into a fully operational platform, despite not having a traditional technical background.
Her decision to build and deploy the platform has distinguished her as both an innovator and a practitioner.

Beyond her contributions to digital health, Gift has demonstrated a strong leadership record.

Between 2020 and 2022, she played a significant role in expanding a global financial education community across multiple countries, including Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Ghana, Cyprus, and the United States. As a Platinum Leader, she mentored teams, delivered training, and spoke at international engagements.

She has also been involved in humanitarian efforts, notably contributing to an outreach initiative that delivered over 500 clean water kits to residents of Makoko, a densely populated and underserved community in Lagos ,Nigeria.

Currently based in the United Kingdom, Gift continues to balance her professional development with the expansion of Cancer Compass UK. She holds a PRINCE2 certification, is a member of the Association for Project Management, and is actively advancing her qualifications.

Her work has attracted growing recognition.
She was recently nominated for an Outstanding Innovation Award by the Association of Community Newspaper Publishers of Nigeria (ACNPN), in acknowledgment of her efforts to improve cancer support systems and bridge healthcare access gaps affecting Nigerian and diaspora populations.

Despite these achievements, Gift remains focused on her broader mission.
Through Cancer Compass UK, she is not only building a digital platform but also advancing a more inclusive, empathetic model of care;one that recognises the human stories behind every diagnosis.

From Delta State to the United Kingdom, her journey reflects the power of turning personal adversity into meaningful innovation.
For many navigating the challenges of cancer, that innovation may prove life-changing.