A Voice for Responsible Communication in the Digital Era…
When the curtains fell on the Dratech International Conference 2024, one name stood out among the distinguished awardees: Mr. Babalola Ayodele, who received the Dratech Media and Technology Leadership Award. His recognition was not merely about career longevity but about how his work has consistently advanced responsible communication, media credibility, and the digital transformation of public institutions in Nigeria.
This award celebrates professionals whose leadership bridges communication, technology, and governance, and Ayodele’s trajectory fits that definition perfectly. From his early days in broadcast journalism to his current role as Technical Adviser to the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), his career tells a story of growth rooted in integrity, innovation, and impact.
Babalola Ayodele’s journey began in the bustling studios of Aso Radio 93.5 FM, Abuja, where he mastered the art of telling human stories with precision and empathy. He wasn’t just reading news; he was helping citizens make sense of the issues shaping their daily lives. Later, at Africa Independent Television (AIT), he became part of the Moneyline with Nancy team, where his research and editorial work focused on national economic trends and policy analysis. Those years built the foundation for a professional life grounded in clarity, public interest, and ethical storytelling.
His time in broadcasting shaped a communicator who understood that information isn’t just power, it’s public trust. That belief guided his transition into national public affairs communication, where he began shaping narratives that influence governance and policy.
The Evolution of a Public Communicator
Ayodele’s move into the Office of the Vice President marked a turning point in his career. As part of the social media team, he was at the heart of Nigeria’s digital public communication structure, ensuring that verified information reached citizens and countering misinformation in real time. He wrote reports, press releases, and stories that projected the work of the administration while maintaining a tone of objectivity and professionalism.
At the Buhari New Media Centre (BNMC), where he served as Head of Content, Ayodele introduced innovative media formats such as BNMC Dailies, an audiovisual segment that chronicled ongoing government activities during nationwide rallies. It was a creative approach that blended journalism with digital storytelling, long before it became common practice in government communications.
Through these roles, Ayodele demonstrated that media strategy could both inform and educate while preserving national cohesion. His ability to balance advocacy with factual reporting made him one of the most trusted communicators in public service.
Leadership in Media and Organizational Communication
After several years in government communication, Ayodele expanded his influence into the private sector as Director of Operations and Communications at Phoenix Relations Limited. There, he managed corporate communications, strategic planning, and operational leadership for multiple clients. His focus was on aligning brand reputation with ethical storytelling, ensuring that every campaign or project maintained transparency and authenticity.
At Phoenix, he designed frameworks for content quality assurance, process improvement, and stakeholder engagement that reinforced his reputation as both a strategist and a mentor. The experience also honed his ability to navigate complex organizational dynamics, bridging operational efficiency with strong public messaging.
Strengthening Digital Identity and Institutional Trust at NIMC
Today, Babalola Ayodele serves as Technical Adviser on Media and Communication to the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), one of Nigeria’s most pivotal institutions in the digital age. In this role, he has been instrumental in crafting and executing communication strategies that bolster public trust in Nigeria’s digital identity systems.
His responsibilities extend across media relations, stakeholder engagement, crisis communication, and speech writing. Under his leadership, NIMC’s public image has evolved into one of responsiveness and transparency. His strategic communication initiatives have led to a 50 percent increase in media coverage and a 200 percent surge in digital engagement, proving that public confidence grows when communication is timely, accurate, and human-centered.
In a time when digital identity is central to national development, Ayodele’s approach to communication has been pivotal. He doesn’t see it as a technical process but as a relationship between citizens and the state, built on dialogue and mutual respect.
Academic Foundation and Continuous Growth
Ayodele’s academic path has mirrored his professional progression. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Sikkim Manipal University, India, and a Master’s in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. His studies equipped him with a rare mix of communication expertise and diplomatic insight, allowing him to approach public messaging through both local and global lenses.
Beyond formal education, Ayodele has earned multiple professional certifications from Skills Edge Consulting Limited in Abuja and KnowledgeWorkz Limited in Ghana, including Project Management, Human Resource Management, Customer Relations, Event Management, and Equity Research Analysis. He also holds an Executive Diploma in International Diplomacy and Protocol from La Plage Meta Verse.
These credentials reflect a professional constantly refining his craft. Yet what sets him apart is not just his academic or technical competence, but his consistency in applying knowledge to real-world change.
A Philosophy Rooted in Clarity and Responsibility
Those who have worked closely with Babalola describe him as a calm strategist, driven by principle and purpose. His approach to communication is grounded in the belief that truth, delivered with clarity, builds institutional integrity.
In his own words, “Communication is not just about speaking, it’s about connecting people to purpose. When communication inspires trust, progress follows naturally.”
That outlook captures the essence of his professional life: using words, platforms, and technology to create connection, not confusion.
The Dratech Media and Technology Leadership Award: Why It Matters
The Dratech Media and Technology Leadership Award is one of the most respected honors conferred during the annual Dratech International Conference. It recognizes leaders who harness the power of communication and technology to shape credible narratives, strengthen public trust, and influence societal progress.
Babalola’s selection for the 2024 edition was a reflection of his enduring impact in aligning communication with national development goals. His work at NIMC has not only elevated public understanding of digital identity but also underscored how effective communication can bridge the gap between innovation and citizen inclusion.
Dratech International, through this award, reaffirms its mission to spotlight Africans who are advancing the continent’s digital transformation agenda not only through coding and engineering but also through storytelling and strategy.
A Celebration Among Peers
The 2024 Dratech International Awards featured an impressive lineup of winners across various sectors. Alongside Ayodele’s recognition were trailblazers like Dr. Leesi Saturday Komi, recipient of the Public Health Innovation Excellence Award; Ms. Adaobu Amini-Philips, winner of the Financial Sustainability Innovation Excellence Award; and Engr. Joshua Umejuru, honored for Energy Innovation Excellence. Together, their stories represent the diversity and dynamism of African innovation, each driving progress in their field while contributing to a collective vision of excellence.
The event itself, hosted in Abuja, brought together policymakers, entrepreneurs, innovators, and communicators under one theme: advancing Africa’s transformation through knowledge and collaboration. Ayodele’s award was a highlight, symbolizing how communication leadership remains essential to every aspect of progress.
Building Bridges Between Media and Technology
In a continent where misinformation can undermine progress, Ayodele’s career exemplifies the antidote: evidence-based, ethical, and forward-looking communication. His work demonstrates that technology is most powerful when paired with human understanding.
From radio consoles and newsroom edits to digital dashboards and national campaigns, he has shown that effective communication is not bound by medium but driven by message. His leadership continues to inspire a new generation of communicators who see media not as a tool for influence alone, but as a platform for accountability and unity.
Dratech International is a pan-African innovation platform dedicated to discovering, celebrating, and amplifying the stories of African excellence in technology, media, health, energy, and public service. Since its inception, Dratech has become a trusted name in recognizing individuals and institutions that redefine progress through creativity, integrity, and innovation. The Dratech International Conference and Awards remain its flagship event, offering visibility to changemakers who are shaping the continent’s digital and economic landscape.
As Mr. Babalola Ayodele steps into this new chapter of recognition, his story offers an important reminder: leadership in media and technology is not about controlling narratives, but about guiding them toward truth and transformation. His work across journalism, government, and corporate communication continues to reinforce the value of ethical storytelling in a rapidly evolving digital world.
His recognition at Dratech 2024 is not just a personal achievement; it represents the triumph of responsible communication over noise, of transparency over speculation, and of connection over confusion. It is also a nod to the growing realization that Africa’s progress will depend not only on its innovators and engineers but on those who can articulate its story with honesty and vision.
Dratech International’s decision to honor Ayodele is therefore both symbolic and strategic. It signals a future where communicators like him will play an even greater role in shaping how Africa presents itself to the world digitally, culturally, and institutionally.
And as the applause echoed through the conference hall, one truth was clear: in an age of information, integrity remains the highest form of innovation.
