Recognizing Excellence in Financial Innovation
In the world of modern finance, where data is the new currency and precision drives decisions, few professionals embody this reality like Olanrewaju Olukoya Odumuwagun. A Lagos-born analytics professional, Olanrewaju’s story is not just about numbers — it’s about vision, resilience, and a determination to solve real-world problems through data.
Today, long before his global recognitions and industry awards, Olanrewaju’s journey began like many Nigerians — with humble beginnings, big dreams, and a curiosity that refused to settle.
Rooted In Nigeria, Thriving Beyond Borders
Growing up in Lagos instilled in him qualities that would later shape his approach to finance and analytics — resilience, adaptability, and creative problem-solving.
“Living in Nigeria teaches you to think ahead, to calculate risks almost instinctively,” he reflects.
His academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Babcock University, laying the bedrock for what would later become a flourishing career in finance, risk management, and advanced analytics.
From Audit Rooms To Global Risk Leadership
Olanrewaju cut his teeth at Deloitte & Touché as an Audit Associate, strengthening internal controls and assessing financial risks for top-tier clients. But his curiosity went beyond traditional finance.
At NSL Capital Partners and later OOM Professional Services, he stepped fully into the risk management space — building migration models for non-performing loans, developing dashboards, and influencing strategic underwriting decisions.
“For me, risk management has always been about looking beyond the numbers — it’s about people, behavior, and creating systems that work for real-life challenges.”
After completing his Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Olanrewaju was determined to broaden his expertise. His professional career led him into critical roles that combined risk management, financial analysis, and advanced analytics.
By 2018, he had already gained valuable audit experience at Deloitte & Touché, where he worked on strengthening internal control systems for major clients — sharpening his eye for identifying financial risks and operational gaps.
But it was his transition into credit risk roles at NSL Capital Partners and later OOM Professional Services that expanded his technical depth. Here, he wasn’t just reviewing numbers — he was building models, tracking non-performing loans, influencing underwriting processes, and leveraging data to guide decisions.
He didn’t stop there...
Determined to operate at the highest level, Olanrewaju pursued his Master of Science in Applied Statistics and Decision Analytics at Western Illinois University, equipping himself with advanced skills in predictive modeling, econometrics, Python, R, and data visualization.
Driving Change Through Data
His expertise came full circle when he joined a world class company as a Risk Management Senior Associate. In this role, Olanrewaju was at the forefront of developing advanced analytics strategies within the mortgage servicing space. His work in building population migration models for delinquent loans and leading automation processes directly influenced how the institution approached loss mitigation and regulatory compliance.
For Olanrewaju, data is not just a technical tool — it is a strategic asset.
“I’ve always believed that analytics should drive action. It’s not enough to have reports sitting on a shelf. The real power of data is when it informs decisions that impact people’s lives and improve outcomes,” he explains.
Recognized for Excellence
Olanrewaju’s growing influence did not go unnoticed. By 2023, his contributions to risk management and analytics earned him industry recognition and set the stage for future accolades.
His passion for research also saw him publish critical industry articles, including “Time Series-Based Quantitative Risk Models: Enhancing Accuracy in Forecasting and Risk Assessment”. This work explored how traditional risk forecasting models can evolve to meet the challenges of today’s volatile financial markets — a timely contribution in an era of digital transformation.
Beyond his technical skills, Olanrewaju holds multiple global certifications, including:
- ACA (Associate Chartered Accountant)
- CRISC (Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control)
- FMVA (Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst)
- AWS Data Engineer
These qualifications reflect not just academic rigor but a commitment to continuous learning and excellence.
Transforming Data Into Decisions
As a Senior Risk Management Associate, Olanrewaju’s expertise has been at the heart of strategic data-driven solutions within the mortgage servicing space.
His work in building population migration models, leading reporting automation, and shaping loss mitigation strategies has influenced high-stakes decisions at an enterprise level.
“Analytics should never just sit in reports — it must drive action, influence policy, and create better outcomes,” he affirms.
A Mentor, A Leader, A Proud Nigerian Abroad
Away from spreadsheets and boardrooms, Olanrewaju has remained passionate about giving back. He has mentored young Africans looking to break into the fields of data analytics, risk management, and finance — particularly those navigating the early stages of their careers abroad.
For him, being Nigerian is not just about heritage — it’s a mindset.
“Being Nigerian taught me persistence. It taught me creativity in the face of limitation. I carry that with pride wherever I go,” he says.
Awards That Speak Louder Than Words
Olanrewaju’s contributions have earned him prestigious recognitions — a testament to his influence in a highly competitive industry.
Dratech International Innovation Award 2023
Data Innovation Excellence Award
A recognition of his outstanding contributions to data innovation and strategic analytics, awarded by Dratech International — celebrating Africans breaking new grounds in technology and finance.
“These awards are humbling, but they remind me that every solution built, every model created, must have people at its heart.”
A Story Worth Celebrating
At Dratech International, we are committed to telling the stories of Africans rewriting the narrative across industries. Olanrewaju Olukoya Odumuwagun’s story is one of quiet leadership, technical brilliance, and a heart for impact.
Long before the Dratech Award of Excellence and his future accolades, his journey stands as a powerful reminder — that talent knows no borders, that innovation thrives when rooted in purpose, and that Nigerians continue to shape the future of global finance in boardrooms far beyond home.
To young professionals looking up to him, Olanrewaju leaves this simple but profound advice:
“Be so skilled they can’t ignore you, but stay humble enough to keep learning. Excellence is a journey, not a destination.”
