Leadership Team
Osita Nwajiufor
President, Board of Directors
Osita Nwajiufor is an experienced Technology Delivery Executive and Strategic leader with more than 17 years in the I.T space. He has held a variety of progressive roles within various sectors including Banking, Technology Services, Management Consulting, Mining and Oil & Gas.
He is an ERP Enterprise Architect with a demonstrated history of working with clients to realize maximum returns from Technology Investments. He has worked in several projects in ERP Consulting/Implementation, Project Management, Business Analysis, Change Management, Business and Digital Transformation, SAP S4/HANA and Microsoft Dynamics.
Osita has implemented ERP Solutions across various industries (FMCG, e-Commerce/Retail, Financial Services, Tech, Mining, Oil & Gas, NGOs, Public Sector, Manufacturing, Agriculture) across multiple geographies. He was a Technical lead for an ERP implementation of a multinational Banking Institution across 33 countries. Before immigrating to Canada, he was the Group Head of ICT and a member of the Management team of a multi-billion-dollar Oil & Gas Company where he was responsible for Strategic direction, stabilization and implementation of Technology Solutions across various Business subsidiaries of the Company – onshore and offshore.
Osita holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science with an MBA specializing in General Management and the following credentials; SAP Certified Technology Professional, SAP Certified Process Consultant, Oracle Certified Professional, Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Scrum Master (CSM), Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL), Six Sigma Certified Green Belt (CSSGB) and IBM DB2 Technical Professional. He is an alumnus of the University of Toronto, Rotman School of Management, Schulich School of Business and Harvard Business School.
Prof. Rita Orji
Director, Ecosystem Strategy
Prof. Rita Orji is a Canada Research Chair in Persuasive Technology, and a Computer Science Professor at Dalhousie University, Canada where she directs the Persuasive Computing Lab. Her research in the area of Human-Computer Interaction focuses on designing interactive technologies that empower people, improve lives, and contribute to solving many societal problems. She applies her work to tackle real-life problems in various domains including improving a wide range of health and wellness outcomes such as mental health, healthy eating, physical activity, smoking cessation, sexual and other health risk behaviours. She has won many competitive funding from agencies and governments around the world to support her work.
With over 160 peer-reviewed papers, Prof. Orji has won over 50 prestigious awards and recognitions nationally and internationally in recognition of her outstanding achievements both in academia and in the society at large. Recently, she was recognized as one of the Top 150 Canadian Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), one of the Top 60 African Women in STEM, Top 50 Young Most Influential Best Brains in Enugu State, Nigeria, and admitted into the Royal Society of Canada.
Prof. Orji is passionate about inspiring the next generation of youths and female tech leaders, promoting research excellence, equity, diversity, and inclusion in STEM. She also consults and serves as a board member for many agencies. She graduated as a top student with First-class honours standing in all her studies and was recognized by various governments including the Nigerian, Turkish, and Canadian Governments for her outstanding performance.
Ugochukwu Njoku
Executive Director
Ugo is presently an enterprising Information Technology Business Analyst with over 10 years of Information Technology and Business Analysis experience ranging from network administration and infrastructure to Security.
He started his career in 2008 with Phase3 Telecoms in Abuja, Nigeria as an Implementation Engineer and later joined the Project Management arm as a Project Coordinator. On leaving Phase3, Ugo joined the National Health Insurance Scheme as an IT Manager (Networks, Security and Communications). He served in advisory capacity to the ES/CEO as Technology Adviser and was part of the major infrastructure revamp in the Health Insurance Sector through the Design and Strategy for the Health Insurance Information Management System (HIMIS). Currently, Ugo is based in Canada and works with Bell Canada, the Largest Network Provider, where he is a Senior Business Analyst in the IT Delivery Department.
Ugo holds an MSc in Telecommunications Engineering from the University of Sunderland and a Bachelors of Technology in Mathematics and Computer Science from the esteemed Federal University of Technology, Owerri. He also possess a Diploma in Computer Engineering from the Bola Ige Information Technology Institute and has also attended trainings and holds certifications in Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA Routing & Switching, Security), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP Routing & Switching), RedHat Certified Engineer (RHCE), Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP), SAFe Certified Practitioner 5.0 and Certified Scrum Master (CSM).
Jane Osemwegie
Head, Finance & Operations
Jane Osemwegie is a passionate and results – oriented individual with deep expertise in Business analysis , product management and strategy . She holds certifications in business analysis (CBAP), Lean six sigma , project management , Canadian Investment Fund Course .
Jane worked as a business/ product analysts with Access bank where she started her career in 2012. Her dedication, hard work and trust to handle series of initiative earned her Access Bank brand Ambassador award 2019.
She was the Pioneer President 2016/2018 of Access Women Toasmasters club in Nigeria . She also played leadership role in Division F – As an immediate past club growth director under the umbrella of Toastmasters International. Her passion for success also earned her the position of the Secretary General of the Association of Nigerian in Nova Scotia .
Jane is a certified International Finance Corporation ( World Bank ) trainer and also sits on the leadership board at NIPCA , leading the Operations Management directorate .
Chinedu Nwoke
Director, Membership Development
Chinedu is a highly passionate and results-oriented Continuous Improvement Manager with Treehouse Foods Inc. He started his Career in 2010, and has over 10 years work experience delivering value across Information Technology, Manufacturing and Business Process Improvement in several multinationals such as Cadbury, Unilever, British American Tobacco and Molson Coors.
His foray into the world of Information Technology stemmed from his Electronics and Communications Systems Engineering background from Madonna University. Post-graduation, he attended the renowned NIIT where he certified as a Microsoft Certified IT professional. With stints as a network administrator and Radio Frequency Engineer, Chinedu led the execution of high value network upgrades and Radio Frequency drive test projects for major telecommunication companies in Nigeria. To evolve his managerial skills, he earned a Masters in Business Administration specializing in human-resources management. Translating his insatiable quest for knowledge into action, gained him promotions at Cadbury, Unilever and British American Tobacco.
Chinedu holds a Project Management Professional designation and is a Six sigma black belt practitioner. He sits on the leadership team at NIPCA, leading the Membership Development directorate.
Remi Adefioye
Head, Innovation & Growth
Remi Adefioye is a dynamic, versatile, and data-driven professional with vast experience in data analytics with the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. Recognized as a strategic problem-solver with an impressive record of uncovering actionable insights and operational efficiency that aligns with performance and long-term business objectives.
He has been in the banking industry for over 15 years and started his career with First Bank of Nigeria Limited with various experiences across different domains ranging from Customer services, Sales and Marketing management, Operation supports, Business Intelligence and analytics within the bank before joining CIBC in 2017.
Remi is a graduate of Business Administration and earned Master of Business Administration from The Business School of Netherlands in 2012.
His passion for technological started in 2000 when he joined Aptech Computer Education Worldwide, Lagos for a Certificate of Proficiency in Information System Management. As he progressed in the Analytics field, he earned another Certificate in Data Analytics, Big Data and Predictive Analytics from Ryerson University, Toronto and Master of Management in Artificial Intelligence from Smith Business School, Queen’s University, Kinston, Canada.
Remi is described as an innovative thinker who builds strong working relationships, translates complex information into meaningful terms and effectively collaborates with cross-functional stakeholders and key decision-makers to achieve ambitious goals. He sits on the leadership team at NIPCA, leading the Innovation & Growth Directorate.
Hilary Osuman
Head of Communications
Hilary Osuman is a multifaceted Media and Communications Professional with over 15yrs in Project Management, Administration, Events management and Marketing.
She is an expert in opening lines of communication between clients, customers, and businesses to facilitate business operations. With several years in both public and private sectors, Hilary also has proven expertise in social media networking.
As a bilingual communications expert in French and English, she has worked for international organizations such as International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and Global Affairs Canada (GAC)- High Commission of Canada, Nigeria. She holds an MA in Media, Communications and Public Relations from the University of Leicester and a Project Management Professional certification.