Omobola Johnson

Omobola Olubusola Johnson (born 28 June 1963) is a Nigerian technocrat, business leader, and former public official, widely recognized for her significant contributions to Nigeria's technology sector. She served as the first Minister of Communications Technology in Nigeria, holding the position from 2011 to 2015. Her work has been pivotal in advancing digital inclusion and policy development across the country.Early Life and Education Omobola Johnson was born on 28 June 1963. She attended the International School Ibadan for her secondary education. For her higher studies, she obtained a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Manchester and a Master of Science (MSc) in Digital Electronics from King's College London. Demonstrating a strong commitment to academia and professional development, she later earned a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) from Cranfield University.Career Progression and Major Achievements Before entering public service, Dr. Johnson had a highly successful career in the private sector. She spent over two decades at Accenture, a global professional services company, where she eventually rose to become the Country Managing Director for Nigeria. Her tenure at Accenture established her as a leading figure in business strategy and technology consulting in West Africa. In 2011, she was appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan as Nigeria's inaugural Minister of Communications Technology. During her four-year term, she spearheaded several transformative initiatives. Her major achievements include the development and implementation of the country's national broadband plan, which aimed to significantly increase internet penetration and accessibility. She played a key role in the creation of policies that fostered local content development in the ICT sector and helped facilitate the launch of the country’s first technology incubation centers, promoting indigenous innovation.Current Status Following her service as minister, Dr. Johnson transitioned back into the global and regional technology space. She is the Honorary Chairperson of the global Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI), an international coalition focused on reducing the cost of internet access worldwide to achieve digital equality. She also sits on the boards of several prominent organizations and continues to work as a venture partner, supporting technology startups and innovation across Africa.