TECH PERSONALITY OF THE WEEK - OLUGBENGA OLABIYI

With more than two decades of experience spanning ICT, telecommunications and the Nigerian digital economy, Olabiyi has built a career at the intersection of technology, strategy, enterprise growth and emerging-market opportunity. His leadership philosophy is anchored in a simple but profound conviction:

Africa’s digital future will be determined not only by the technologies it adopts, but by the infrastructure, institutions and imagination it builds around them.

As Chief Executive Officer of Dimension Data Nigeria, Olabiyi has, over the past six years, led an ambitious expansion of the company’s footprint, strengthening its position as a strategic technology partner for multinational enterprises seeking to enter, scale and thrive in Nigeria and across West Africa. His leadership extends beyond corporate performance.

For the past eight years, Olabiyi has brought an inclusive and transformational approach to both the boardroom and the executive suite, combining strategic foresight with operational discipline. He possesses the rare ability to translate complex technology possibilities into commercially viable opportunities, while navigating the intricate realities of emerging markets.

BUILDING THE DIGITAL BACKBONE
At the heart of Olabiyi’s professional philosophy is an unwavering commitment to strengthening Africa’s digital backbone. He has consistently advocated strategic investment and partnerships across the critical layers of digital infrastructure from subsea cables and terrestrial fibre to world-class data centres and cloud infrastructure recognising that meaningful digital transformation cannot flourish on fragile foundations.

For Olabiyi, infrastructure is more than connectivity, It is possibility.

It is the bridge between innovation and inclusion; between an ambitious young entrepreneur and a global marketplace; between African businesses and the intelligence, platforms and capital required to compete in a rapidly evolving world.
His vision is particularly resonant in the age of artificial intelligence.

Olabiyi believes the AI-led digital frontier represents a defining opportunity for Africa to shine not simply as a consumer of technological innovation, but increasingly as a creator, builder and global participant in the next chapter of the digital economy.

LEADERSHIP BEYOND THE BALANCE SHEET
What distinguishes Olabiyi’s leadership is the breadth of his ambition.
His measure of success goes beyond corporate profitability to the creation of enduring ecosystems capable of empowering the next generation of digital citizens.

He sees digital inclusion as both an economic imperative and a social responsibility, and robust digital infrastructure as a fundamental precursor to a more inclusive, competitive and prosperous Africa.

In this philosophy lies the signature of his leadership: creating value that outlives the quarterly numbers and building systems whose impact can be felt long after the boardroom doors have closed.

EDUCATION, CREDENTIALS & PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE
Olabiyi holds a BSc in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Lagos and an MBA from Edinburgh Business School, United Kingdom.

He has also undertaken executive education at Harvard Business Executive Education and Lagos Business School.

A member of the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria (CIoD) and a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), he brings to his leadership practice a blend of engineering discipline, business acumen, governance consciousness and strategic execution.

His contributions to Nigeria’s digital economy have earned him several industry recognitions, reflecting a career defined by innovation, enterprise leadership and sustained commitment to the advancement of technology.

DIGITAL ECONOMY EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
In July 2026, Olugbenga Olabiyi was named Digital Economy Executive of the Year at the Titans of Tech Africa Awards, organised by TechTV Media Group and Technology Africa.

The recognition was a fitting tribute to an executive whose career continues to demonstrate that technology leadership is not merely about managing systems. It is about seeing farther, building deeper and creating pathways for others to go further.

In a continent standing at the threshold of an extraordinary technological transformation, Olugbenga Olabiyi represents a generation of African technology leaders determined not merely to witness the future, but to architect it.
His story is one of technology, strategy and purposeful leadership but above all, it is a story of possibility.

The TechTV Media Group celebrates the people whose ideas, leadership and accomplishments are helping to shape Africa’s technology ecosystem and define the digital future.

From enterprise technology and digital infrastructure to the AI-led frontier, Olugbenga Olabiyi is helping shape the architecture of Africa’s digital future; One bold strategy, strategic partnership and transformative investment at a time.