By Esther Onyegbula

As the world accelerates into an era powered by artificial intelligence, data and digital transformation, experts have continued to emphasize the need for Nigeria and other African countries to position themselves for the future economy.

One of such experts is Akin Akinbobola, an enterprise technology leader and Solution Architect with over a decade and half years of experience spanning enterprise infrastructure design, data platform engineering, AI platform architecture, fintech, and risk intelligence. Throughout his career, he has worked across highly regulated and data-intensive environments, helping organisations design and implement large-scale technology solutions that drive innovation, resilience, and sustainable growth.

Currently serving as an Application Architect at the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), Akin has architected globally deployed risk intelligence and regulatory compliance platforms while earning recognition for architectural leadership and delivery excellence. Alongside this, he has applied his expertise to the design and implementation of AI-enabled platforms that unlock the value of enterprise data, driving smarter risk decisions, more intelligent compliance processes, and greater operational efficiency across financial services.

His professional journey has seen him work with leading organisations across financial technology, risk and compliance solutions, enterprise systems architecture, and data infrastructure design, supporting hundreds of businesses in their digital transformation efforts. He brings a distinctive ability to translate AI and data strategy into scalable platform architectures that deliver measurable business impact, positioning organisations to compete and innovate in an increasingly intelligence-driven landscape.

In this interview with Vanguard, Akin speaks on the future of artificial intelligence, the role of data in economic development, opportunities for young Nigerians in technology, and why Africa must invest in digital infrastructure and innovation to remain competitive in the global economy.

You have worked across software engineering, fintech, cloud computing and now global risk intelligence. Looking back, what has the journey been like?

It has been a journey defined by one constant: building systems that solve real problems at scale.

I started as a software engineer, driven by curiosity about what technology could unlock for businesses and the people they serve. That curiosity led me through fintech, enterprise integration, cloud infrastructure, data engineering, compliance solutions, and AI. Each domain added a new dimension to how I think about architecture and what it means to deliver technology that genuinely matters.

What the journey has taught me is that the most impactful technology is rarely the most complex. It is the kind that makes organisations more intelligent, more resilient, and more capable of serving their customers well. That principle has guided every platform I have designed, from early-stage fintech systems to globally deployed risk and compliance infrastructure.

The technical landscape has changed enormously. The mission has not.

You currently work with one of the world’s leading financial market infrastructure organizations. How has that experience shaped your perspective?

It has fundamentally sharpened how I think about technology, data, and economic power.

At this scale, the systems we build do not just support businesses, they underpin the confidence of entire markets. Decisions worth billions are driven by data quality, platform integrity, speed of delivery, and intelligent systems operating in real time. When those foundations are strong, markets function. When they fail, the consequences are systemic.

The lesson is clear: digital infrastructure is a strategic sovereign asset, not a technology cost. Nations that invest in it deliberately do not just compete globally, they shape the terms of global competition.

For Nigeria and Africa, that is the opportunity. The potential is real, but it only materialises with serious investment in data infrastructure, platform capability, speed, and human capital. Everything I have seen at the highest levels of global financial infrastructure makes me more convinced of that than ever.

Many experts say data is the new oil. Do you agree?

Data is not the new oil. It is something far more powerful, and the distinction matters.

Oil is finite, consumed once, and depleted with use. Data is infinitely reusable, appreciates with volume, and compounds in value when combined with other datasets. Every sector: banking, healthcare, agriculture, education, transportation, and government is being fundamentally restructured by it.

But raw data is worthless without the infrastructure to process it. The real value lives in the capability to collect it responsibly, engineer it reliably, and convert it into decisions that drive growth and competitive advantage. Many organisations are data-rich and insight-poor, sitting on poorly governed, fragmented data that creates cost rather than value.

The most pressing risk today is that AI has made it easy to consume intelligence without the conscious effort to elevate the data infrastructure beneath it. AI does not fix poor data foundations. It amplifies them.

The organisations that will lead the future economy are not those with the most data or the most AI tools. They are those investing seriously in the foundations that turn raw information into strategic intelligence.

How prepared is Nigeria for this data-driven future?

Nigeria has made significant progress, especially in financial technology and digital services. We have some of the brightest technology talents in the world and a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. However, there is still work to be done in areas such as digital infrastructure, broadband penetration, data governance, research and development, and technology education. We need stronger collaboration between government, academia and the private sector to unlock the full potential of our digital economy.

Artificial Intelligence is dominating conversations globally. Should Nigerians be worried about AI replacing jobs?

Every major technological revolution has changed the nature of work. AI will automate certain tasks, but it will also create entirely new opportunities. The key is preparation. We should focus on reskilling, digital literacy and developing future-ready capabilities. Rather than fearing AI, we should position ourselves to leverage it for productivity, innovation and economic growth.

What opportunities do you see for young Nigerians in technology?

The opportunities are enormous. Unlike previous generations, today’s young people can build global careers from anywhere. Software engineering, cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, data science and product management are all fields with growing demand. Beyond employment, technology also enables entrepreneurship. With the right skills and mindset, young Nigerians can build products and companies that serve global markets.

You have spent years helping businesses adopt technology. What is the biggest mistake organizations make?

Investing in technology before understanding the problem they are trying to solve.

The most consistent pattern I have observed across sectors is organisations adopting platforms and launching transformation programmes before clearly defining the outcome they are pursuing. Technology becomes the objective rather than the enabler, and that inversion is costly.

Successful digital transformation always begins with strategy, people, and process. When those elements are aligned, technology becomes a powerful force multiplier for growth and innovation. When they are not, even the most sophisticated platforms underdeliver.

What role can technology play in addressing some of Nigeria’s development challenges?

Technology can improve service delivery, enhance transparency, increase financial inclusion, strengthen healthcare systems, modernize agriculture and create new economic opportunities. It is not a silver bullet, but it can accelerate progress significantly when combined with good policies and effective leadership.

What is your vision for Africa’s place in the global technology landscape?

I believe Africa can become a global innovation hub. We have the talent, the market size and the entrepreneurial energy. The next decade presents an opportunity for Africa not just to consume technology, but to create it. We must invest in education, research, infrastructure and innovation ecosystems that enable local talent to thrive.

What advice would you give to policymakers seeking to accelerate Nigeria’s digital economy?

Prioritize investments in digital infrastructure, support innovation, encourage research and development, strengthen STEM education and create policies that enable businesses to grow. Most importantly, we must view technology not as a sector on its own, but as a foundational enabler of economic development across every sector.

Finally, what keeps you motivated?

The opportunity to contribute to meaningful change. Technology has the power to transform lives, organizations and societies. Being part of that transformation and helping others unlock opportunities through innovation is what continues to inspire me.