Michael Okpotu Onoja, a respected digital technology expert and software engineer from Nigeria, has been honoured with the prestigious Crest Award 2024 by Crest Africa. The award, announced in July 2024, recognises exceptional Africans whose work is shaping the future of the continent through innovation, impact, and inclusive leadership. Michael’s recognition is a tribute to his groundbreaking contributions across finance, healthcare, community platforms, and digital equity.
Michael is the co-founder of Ayema Networks Limited, Nigeria’s first homegrown and trademarked social network. With a real-time infrastructure built from scratch, Ayema connects thousands of users across the country while promoting indigenous content. The platform has earned government recognition for its strong compliance with data protection and intellectual property standards, making it a milestone in the country’s digital independence efforts.
In a statement following the award, Michael said, “Winning the Crest Award is not just a personal milestone. It is a call to all African innovators to believe in building for ourselves. When we create solutions that reflect our realities, we take control of our future.”
Michael’s journey in technology has always gone beyond corporate achievement. At Access Bank PLC, he led IT operations in the volatile Northeast of Nigeria. Working in regions affected by insecurity and instability, he delivered critical upgrades that reduced system downtime by 15 percent, improved operational efficiency by 20 per cent, and saved the bank over eight million naira. His leadership extended to mentoring young engineers, many of whom now lead IT operations in similarly high-risk regions.
As the DevOps and digital strategy lead for Procare Hospital, Michael applied trust engineering principles to rebuild the hospital’s online presence. Under his guidance, the institution achieved over 1.9 million search impressions and maintained a 4.8-star rating across platforms, driving visibility and patient trust. His work transformed Procare into one of the most digitally trusted hospitals in its region.
“Innovation must serve people first. I believe any solution that cannot work in underserved or high-risk areas is not yet complete. We must stop building only for comfort zones and start building for real needs,” Michael explained.
Michael is also the creator of KwickApp, one of Africa’s earliest no-code platforms. KwickApp enables entrepreneurs to build websites and applications without writing a single line of code. This breakthrough has helped remove financial and technical barriers for startups and small business owners across the continent, particularly in rural and low-connectivity areas.
In addition to his professional work, Michael has volunteered for over nine years as a United Nations Digital Volunteer. He has contributed his skills to build digital platforms for humanitarian causes, working with NGOs that support women, children, and marginalised communities across Africa.
The Crest Award highlights Michael Okpotu Onoja’s deep belief in using technology to empower, uplift, and transform. His work stands as a powerful example of how purpose and innovation, when combined, can create a lasting impact far beyond code.
