Implementing robust cybersecurity protocols, adopting encryption techniques critical and leveraging secured development practices are essential for organisations to mitigate cyber risks while fostering technological advancement.
Information technology experts urged tech leaders to prioritise continuous learning, stay updated on emerging technologies and understand their business domain to drive innovation in their organisations.
Convener of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) Awards and CIO Club Africa, Abiola Laseinde, said being a successful CIO in today’s dynamic landscape requires adaptability, strategic thinking and strong leadership skills while driving a culture of innovation and collaboration within their teams.
She said this during this year’s CIO awards, held in Lagos, where individuals in Nigeria and across West Africa in the tech space bagged awards for their various contributions to the industry.
According to her, this year’s expansion into Ghana, Egypt, Senegal, Kenya and South Africa marks a significant milestone in recognising and celebrating the incredible tech talent that spans the African continent.
She added that the CIO Awards Africa programme has continued to recognise top technology leaders, including CIOs, CTOs, CISOs and industry veterans, who have significantly impacted their organisations and industries through innovative technology strategies.
Chief Executive Officer of Blueprint Business Technology, Saheed Alao, challenged Chief Information Officers to go beyond their immediate status and aspire to be heads of the organisations they represent.
This, according to him, cannot be achieved without striving for more and broader skills in various aspects of management structure.
Alao, who was the chairman of the occasion, said: “It now becomes more clear and important that the CIOs or the technologists that win the awards demonstrate the kind of breadth of business impact they have had. Not just the technology, these leaders are ones that cut right across the business; they see the whole business.
“So, increasingly they have to be groomed to be the CEOs of the future. Some are already becoming CEOs. We see the MTN CEO for instance. So, it is important that even the CIOs themselves need to recognise the importance of their roles.”
Similarly, Chairman of the Jury, CIO Awards 2023, Ayotunde Coker, said technology was not just a tool but a driving force towards transformational leadership.
He said the importance of recognition was to underscore their significance in transforming the society, adding that judging the process was to enhance their performance and exposure as true tech leaders.
