Winner of the Dratech Software Innovation Excellence Award 2023
“True innovation must do more than disrupt — it must uplift.”
— Temidayo Israel Oluwalade
In a fast-evolving digital world where speed and scale often outshine sustainability and inclusion, Temidayo Israel Oluwalade stands out. He’s a software engineer by training, an AI researcher by passion, and a social impact builder by instinct. The 2023 recipient of the Dratech Software Innovation Excellence Award, Temidayo isn’t the loudest person in the room, but his work? It speaks volumes.
For more than a decade, he’s done the kind of work that doesn’t just scale; it sticks. It changes how people access government services. It gives young people their first real shot at a digital career. It proves that technology, when it’s built with care and context, can do more than solve ; it can serve.
This isn’t about fanfare or hashtags. It’s about results. Let’s break it down.
A Decade of Purpose-Driven Innovation
Temidayo’s journey into the digital space spans more than ten years of relentless innovation at the intersection of software engineering, data analytics, civic technology, and education. As the founder and Chief Software Developer of TIT Technologies, a Nigerian-based tech firm, he has architected scalable and accessible digital solutions that power government operations, educational platforms, and small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
His work is defined not merely by its technical depth but by its human impact. From designing municipal tax systems that revolutionize public revenue tracking to creating data-powered dashboards that guide informed policymaking, Temidayo has consistently placed people at the center of technology.
The Landmark Project: Abuja Municipal Council Tax Platform
Among his many achievements, one standout project drew the attention of the Dratech Awards panel. Temidayo led the design and full implementation of the Tenement Rate Collection System for Abuja Municipal Area Council, a civic tech innovation that digitized and optimized over 250,000 property records for tax administration.
This cloud-based software platform transformed an analog, paper-driven system into a real-time revenue management engine, significantly increasing operational efficiency and revenue compliance for local government authorities. The system has since become a model for other municipalities seeking digital transformation in sub-Saharan Africa.
Training the Next Generation of Digital Talent
Beyond code and systems, Temidayo’s lasting legacy is his unwavering commitment to youth capacity development. Since 2015, his organisation, TIT Technologies, has been officially approved by the NYSC Secretariat in Abuja to train Nigerian graduates posted to the Federal Capital Territory for their National Youth Service.
Under this NYSC-endorsed digital training programme, over 500 corps members are trained annually, equipping them with high-demand skills in software development, data analytics, digital marketing, and emerging technologies. Through this initiative, Temidayo has helped bridge the gap between academic education and practical industry readiness, empowering young Nigerians to thrive in the digital economy.
His approach blends mentorship with hands-on skill-building, equipping a generation of young professionals with tools for self-reliance, employability, and global competitiveness.
AI for Good: Research Rooted in Ethics and Empathy
Temidayo’s journey into AI and digital health research was ignited during his MSc in Information Technology at National Open University of Nigeria under the mentorship of Associate Professor Peter Ogedebe at Baze University Abuja, where he not only developed a Fees Management System for a secondary school but also cultivated a strong interest in using data for social good. Since then, he has conducted several analytical research projects within the health sector, working with real-world datasets to uncover insights that inform service improvement, patient engagement, and policy support.
A firm believer in ethical and impact-driven technology, Temidayo is now an active AI researcher with contributions in emotion-aware artificial intelligence and digital healthcare applications.
His current research continues to explore the application of machine learning for healthcare decision-making, particularly in areas of public health communication, early intervention, and emotional burden analysis—reflecting his long-term mission: to build AI that listens, understands, and cares.
Why Dratech Chose Him
Let’s be clear: the Dratech Software Innovation Excellence Award isn’t about popularity, LinkedIn posts, or who builds the flashiest product. It’s about substance.
We look for thinkers and doers. Builders and teachers. People whose code tells a story — not just of function, but of responsibility.
The Dratech Software Innovation Excellence Award is given not just to brilliant technologists but to visionaries who engineer for equity. Temidayo Israel Oluwalade exemplifies this rare combination. He creates intelligent, high-performing systems that also prioritize accessibility, ethical standards, and inclusion , values central to Dratech’s mission of celebrating African excellence in technology and innovation.
His ability to bridge the complex worlds of AI, civic technology, education, and entrepreneurship makes him an extraordinary leader whose work inspires transformation at scale.
“Temidayo represents the future of African software innovation — brilliant, responsible, and deeply connected to the communities his technology serves,” said the Dratech Awards Committee in a statement announcing his win.
Education, Certifications, and Professional Milestones
Temidayo holds an MSc in Information Technology from the National Open University of Nigeria.
His list of credentials includes:
- Oracle Certified Associate (2012)
- Cisco Certified Network Associate (2013)
- Google Digital Marketing (2021)
A Vision for the Future
Temidayo’s passion for digital equity continues to drive his community engagement. From church-led IT inclusion programmes to grassroots mentorship initiatives in Nigeria, his global footprint is unmistakable.
As digital ecosystems continue to grow, Temidayo Israel Oluwalade is charting a path where software doesn’t just innovate , it uplifts, includes, and transforms. Dratech is proud to honor his achievements and amplify his voice as a beacon of what responsible software innovation can truly achieve in Africa and beyond.
About the Award
The Software Innovation Excellence Award is one of Dratech’s most respected honors. It recognizes individuals whose software development efforts are changing the game, not through spectacle, but through depth, relevance, and community impact.
It’s for builders who write clean code, yes ; but more importantly, who write code with intention. It’s for problem solvers. System re-designers. People whose work brings clarity to chaos.
Winners are nominated through an open, merit-based process, evaluated by industry experts across Africa and the diaspora. Each nominee is assessed based on:
- Technical merit
- Real-world impact
- Contribution to digital inclusion
- Ethical leadership in innovation
- Commitment to mentorship and ecosystem building
Temidayo checked every box. Then added a few more of his own.
Conclusion
You don’t need to spend long in a room with Temidayo to understand what makes him different.
He listens closely. Think clearly. Build carefully. And while he may not chase headlines, his work creates ripples in places that matter, from town halls in Abuja to training halls..
He reminds us that real software innovation isn’t just about the next big thing.
It’s about the next right thing.
That’s what he builds. That’s why he won.
And that’s why we’re proud to call him a Dratech Software Innovation Excellence Award winner.
