Forensic accounting expert wins prestigious NiTA recognition for technology innovation

The intersection of technology and financial oversight has never been more critical to Africa's economic future, and on December 11, 2022, the Nigeria Technology Awards highlighted one professional who exemplifies this convergence.

Kehinde Eyitayo Oyediji, a Certified Fraud Examiner, received the Most Outstanding Audit and Forensics Technology Professional of the Year distinction, an honour that acknowledges not merely technical competence but also a rare ability to detect financial misconduct while helping organizations build stronger systems for the future. In a continent where billions of dollars flow through increasingly complex financial networks, such expertise becomes essential infrastructure for sustainable economic development.

Working with KPMG Nigeria's forensic services division, Oyediji has established himself as a specialist capable of unraveling sophisticated financial schemes. His investigation into treasury operations and trading of financial instruments exceeding $30 million for a prominent Nigerian bank revealed seven instances of fraud-related exceptions and fund misappropriation involving third-party dealings and repatriation.

These discoveries protected the institution from potentially catastrophic losses while demonstrating the value of rigorous forensic examination in an environment where financial transactions are increasingly complex.

What distinguishes Oyediji's methodology is his emphasis on prevention alongside detection. After identifying vendor collusion and theft totaling $650,000 at a Liquefied Natural Gas facility, he didn't simply document the findings and move on.

Instead, he crafted a comprehensive revision to the procurement policy to eliminate the vulnerabilities that enabled the fraud. This dual focus on problem identification and engineering solutions reflects a level of practice maturity that many forensic professionals take years to develop.

The financial modeling work Oyediji undertook for Nigeria's downstream oil and gas sector showcases another dimension of his capabilities. By developing predictive models with accuracy exceeding 85%, he provided clients with early warning systems for financial distress.

Four companies leveraged these insights to implement operational adjustments that steered them away from crisis, illustrating how forensic expertise extends beyond investigating past wrongdoing to anticipating future challenges. In an industry as volatile as oil and gas, such foresight carries enormous value.

His contributions to governance extend to the leadership level of major financial institutions. The integrity due diligence Oyediji conducted on more than sixty prospective board members for a leading Nigerian bank required analyzing backgrounds, credentials, and potential conflicts of interest with exceptional thoroughness.

The process culminated in appointments for ten individuals across twenty African regional offices, helping ensure qualified leadership for operations spanning multiple countries. This work demands not only investigative skill but also sound judgment about character and capability.

Oyediji's academic foundation in industrial microbiology, with degrees from the University of Abuja and University of Ilorin, adds an unexpected element to his professional profile. The analytical rigor inherent in scientific research translates remarkably well to forensic investigation, where evidence must be gathered methodically, hypotheses tested systematically and conclusions drawn only when data provides sufficient support. His path from laboratory science to financial forensics demonstrates the value of interdisciplinary thinking in addressing contemporary challenges.

The Nigeria Technology Awards platform has emerged as an important venue for recognizing innovation across the country's expanding tech ecosystem. By honoring excellence in audit and forensics technology, the awards acknowledge that financial oversight constitutes a crucial component of technological progress.

As Nigeria embraces digital transformation across banking, payments and investment, the systems and professionals that ensure integrity in these spaces become as vital as the innovations themselves.

Looking beyond individual achievement, Oyediji's recognition signals growing appreciation for forensic professionals who combine accounting knowledge, technological fluency and ethical commitment.

Africa's economic trajectory depends substantially on building and maintaining trust in financial institutions, a task that requires vigilant oversight and continuous improvement of detection systems.

As the continent attracts increasing international investment and its own middle class expands, professionals equipped to safeguard these financial flows will play an indispensable role in shaping Africa's economic narrative for decades to come.