In the face of Nigeria’s ongoing insecurity and fragile emergency response infrastructure, one digital innovation is proving that technology can do more than connect people or enrich pockets; it can save lives. Alarrt, a fast-growing safety tech platform, is at the forefront of this digital transformation, offering Nigerians real-time protection through crowd-sourced road safety alerts, emergency services access, and community-based training programs. At the heart of this mission is Olumide Shode, a software developer and visionary entrepreneur whose leadership is not only redefining emergency response in Nigeria but also setting a new precedent for product-led innovation in the African tech space.

With a rising wave of kidnappings, armed robberies, accident-triggered roadblocks, and vehicle-related emergencies, Nigerians often find themselves resorting to social media to cry for help, rather than calling emergency hotlines. Recognising this problem around her, Shode started developing Alarrt in 2022 to empower Nigerians with timely access to life-threatening or time-wasting road crises and swift access to help when on the road. The platform’s first mobile application was launched in 2023, with its 3.0 release in October 2024. Alarrt crowdsources data from commuters to provide verified updates on road blockages, accidents, and other safety threats. This data is then used to reroute users and connect them with emergency responders in real-time. Commuters can instantly report incidents, whether a robbery, roadblock, or accident, triggering location-based alerts and SOS requests. The latest version also introduces access to vetted towing services and even emergency health insurance, an essential resource in a country where over half of its citizens lack comprehensive health coverage.

These innovations aren’t just product improvements; they reflect strategic leadership and the power of problem-solving through digital innovation. Under Shode’s leadership as the technical founder and CEO, Alarrt moved from a beta-stage app with limited reach to a scalable platform now available on both Android and iOS. This has positioned the startup as one of the leading innovations in Nigeria’s safety-tech sector. Shode has also led efforts to build revenue pathways through emergency insurance plans, emergency response training programs, and on-demand roadside services, turning a nonprofit vision into a commercially sustainable tech enterprise. Today, Alarrt is also growing into a recognised safety-tech brand within Nigeria, supported by three emergency response partners, over 13 team members and volunteers, and more than £8,000 in non-dilutive grant funding.

While still growing, Shode’s work through Alarrt has not gone unnoticed. Her contributions to digital technology and emergency response have gained her acceptance into top incubators in Nigeria, including winning the Best Overall Startup Award at PowerHerUp, a University of Edinburgh-based incubator program. Shode and her team are currently exploring partnerships with government agencies, emergency response trainers, volunteers, and international humanitarian organisations to expand the platform’s reach across Nigeria, and eventually, into Ghana and Kenya. Other future plans include enabling toll-free and USSD support, developing in-house rapid response infrastructure, such as its own in-house ambulances and mobile emergency units, which could dramatically improve response times in remote or congested areas. As Nigeria continues to navigate the complexities of insecurity, Alarrt stands as proof that digital transformation, when led with purpose and strategy, can drive national impact, foster safer communities, and save lives.