Damilare Lawrence Oyeniyi wins 2024 NiTA award for financial data intelligence & risk analytics professional

Damilare Lawrence Oyeniyi has been honored with the prestigious 2024 Nigeria Technology Award (NiTA) for Most Outstanding Financial Data Intelligence & Risk Analytics Professional of the Year.

This recognition came during the 10th anniversary ceremony of the NiTA, held on December 8, 2024, at the Admiralty Conference Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The award, which celebrates innovation and leadership in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, recognizes Oyeniyi as one of the country's foremost professionals in financial data analytics, risk intelligence, and digital transformation.

Oyeniyi’s selection was the result of a rigorous nomination and voting process by NiTA’s Judging Panel and Advisory Board, confirming his exceptional contributions to financial intelligence, analytics, and decision systems.

The award’s official announcement came on October 28, 2024, underscoring Oyeniyi's role in advancing the application of technology in financial risk management and governance. Despite his position as an Associate Banker at Barclays Corporate Bank in London, his recognition highlights the global reach and national relevance of his work, emphasizing how international expertise can support Nigeria’s digital and economic transformation.

One of Oyeniyi’s most significant contributions is his 2024 publication, Transforming Financial Planning with AI-Driven Analysis: A Review and Application Insights, published in the Finance & Accounting Research Journal.

This paper outlines a comprehensive roadmap for integrating artificial intelligence into financial decision-making processes, using machine learning models to optimize forecasting, enhance budget accuracy, and improve data reliability.

Oyeniyi’s research is directly relevant to Nigeria, where the government and financial institutions are increasingly transitioning to data-driven governance. His work supports initiatives like the Federal Government's 2023–2030 National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, which aims to embed AI into Nigeria’s financial and economic systems.

Another key paper by Oyeniyi, Robotic Process Automation in Routine Accounting Tasks: A Review and Efficiency Analysis, examines automation tools for enhancing accuracy and efficiency in financial operations.

This study is particularly relevant to Nigeria’s financial sector, which faces high transaction volumes and complex reporting requirements. By introducing robotic frameworks that minimize repetitive accounting work, Oyeniyi’s research provides a practical model for improving financial oversight, reducing errors, and combating fraud—key concerns in both the public and private sectors.

In his third 2024 paper, IoT Applications in Asset Management: A Review of Accounting and Tracking Techniques, Oyeniyi explores the potential of the Internet of Things (IoT) to improve asset management and financial accountability.

His framework enables organizations to track assets using smart sensors and data networks, thereby significantly reducing losses and improving transparency. This research is particularly relevant to Nigeria, where public-sector asset mismanagement is a pressing issue.

Oyeniyi’s IoT models offer scalable solutions across industries such as energy, logistics, and telecommunications, strengthening governance and financial accountability.

Oyeniyi’s research and professional work are closely aligned with global best practices, particularly in his role at Barclays Corporate Bank, where he applies advanced risk analytics and financial modeling. His ability to adapt these techniques for emerging markets, such as Nigeria, bridges the gap between international financial systems and local economic realities.

This cross-pollination of ideas ensures that Nigeria remains competitive on the global stage while advancing its technological and financial infrastructure. In addition to his more recent publications, Oyeniyi’s earlier research has been foundational in advancing financial inclusion and technological innovation in Nigeria.

His 2020 paper on Predictive Analytics Frameworks Strengthening Credit Risk Assessments offers a new approach to credit evaluation based on real-time behavioral data. This model is particularly beneficial for Nigeria's fintech ecosystem, where companies like Moniepoint and Flutterwave can use it to scale lending services securely and responsibly, supporting the country’s National Financial Inclusion Strategy.

Oyeniyi also introduced blockchain-based microservices in his 2020 study on Blockchain Microservices Architectures Supporting Inclusive Financial Platforms, offering a transformative approach to digital inclusion.

His proposed solutions enable fintech companies to build secure, low-cost services for unbanked populations, directly supporting Nigeria’s goal of achieving 95% financial inclusion by 2025.

His expertise extends to AI-driven decision models for corporate finance strategy, as demonstrated in his 2022 paper AI-Driven Decision Models Supporting Corporate Finance Strategy Optimization.

Oyeniyi’s AI models help Nigerian enterprises optimize investment strategies and navigate market volatility, equipping them to move from reactive to proactive decision-making.

Moreover, Oyeniyi’s 2023 study on Intelligent Customer Engagement Chatbots develops AI-driven systems that improve the accessibility of banking services, especially for Nigeria’s remote populations.

By creating chatbots that support financial literacy and enhance user experience, Oyeniyi’s work aligns with the Central Bank’s Cashless Policy and the Digital Financial Inclusion Strategy.

Beyond his technical contributions, Oyeniyi’s recognition at the NiTA underscores the broader impact of his work. His ability to produce research that benefits both developed economies and emerging markets exemplifies the reciprocal relationship between international and domestic innovation.

His research not only shapes financial systems abroad but also provides Nigeria with the tools to modernize its own financial infrastructure. The NiTA award highlights Oyeniyi’s role as a bridge between global expertise and Nigeria’s evolving digital economy.

It reflects the growing importance of collaboration between professionals abroad and local institutions, contributing to Nigeria’s technological and financial transformation.

Oyeniyi’s work exemplifies how technical research can drive national progress, improve transparency, and promote digital inclusion, all of which are essential for sustainable economic growth.

In expressing gratitude for the award, Oyeniyi reiterated his commitment to advancing financial intelligence practices that support transparency and sustainable growth.

His recognition serves not just as an individual achievement but as a call to action for continued collaboration between Nigerian professionals abroad and institutions at home.

Oyeniyi’s success, marked by the NiTA award, is a testament to the power of innovation to drive national progress, bridging global advancements with local development needs.