Nigeria’s financial technology ecosystem is witnessing a new wave of transformation, one defined by innovation, integrity, and global alignment. Across banking halls, payment systems, and compliance frameworks, a new class of Nigerian FinTech experts are combining automation, data analytics, and digital inclusion to redefine what trustworthy and resilient finance looks like in the 21st century.
One of the most striking examples of this transformation is Emmanuel Kolawole, whose work at Sterling Bank reflects how Nigerian institutions are evolving from routine automation to intelligent systems.
Under his leadership, the bank transitioned from traditional robotic process automation (RPA) to agentic AI, deploying advanced solutions that now handle customer disputes, KYC validation, account updates, and support triage.
Recognised as a UiPath Most Valuable Professional for two consecutive years, Kolawole has demonstrated that artificial intelligence in Nigerian banking is not merely aspirational but operational.
His initiatives have helped recover billions in revenue, saved thousands of staff hours, and cultivated new automation talent through training and advocacy. His story affirms that innovation in Lagos can meet global standards.
Innovation, however, is not only about machines. It is equally about people, and one expert who embodies this truth is Ada Nduka Oyom. As the founder of She Code Africa, she began as a grassroots initiative that has since become a continental movement that has trained more than 60,000 women in digital skills, established mentorship pipelines, and created employment opportunities across 17 African countries.
Through global partnerships with Google, HP, and Zoho, She Code Africa has scaled with the agility of a startup while maintaining the authenticity of a social mission.
A Forbes honoree and co-founder of Open-Source Community Africa, Oyom has influenced hundreds of thousands of developers through her advocacy and professional engagements, underscoring Nigeria’s growing capacity to produce ecosystem builders whose impact extends far beyond its borders.
At the intersection of finance, data, and trust stands Joshua Umavezi, a fintech expert redefining how banks in emerging markets harness analytics to strengthen transparency and compliance. With a background in financial intelligence and automation, Joshua has built a career on transforming complex datasets into strategic insights that mitigate risk and drive operational efficiency.
His innovative use of artificial intelligence and process automation has modernised financial monitoring systems, ensuring accuracy, regulatory alignment, and data-driven decision-making at scale.
Through his extensive expertise and work at Fidelity Bank, institutions have adopted more predictive, accountable, and transparent practices, elevating Nigeria’s banking sector to global standards of compliance and operational excellence.
Joshua’s work exemplifies how analytical leadership and intelligent automation are shaping the future of trustworthy finance across Africa and beyond.
These experts are part of a broader ecosystem that continues to gain global recognition. Professionals such as Olagoke Sayeed Salawu, noted for his anti-financial crime expertise; Fola Oluwasanya, a strategist in AML/CFT frameworks; and Nkechi Ekeopara, who has championed governance reforms in banking, are redefining integrity in financial practice.
Likewise, Dr. Olubayo Adekanmbi has distinguished himself as a data pioneer, building one of Africa’s largest AI talent pipelines and fostering a culture of applied data science across industries.
Collectively, these leaders highlight a defining shift: Nigeria is no longer only building capacity; it is building credibility. The nation’s fintech professionals are demonstrating that innovation and trust are not opposing goals but complementary pillars of sustainable progress.
As the global financial landscape becomes increasingly reliant on technology and transparency, Nigeria’s emerging generation of experts is proving that it can deliver both assertively, responsibly, and at scale.
