Winner of the 2022 Tech Innovation of the Year Award by Art of Technology Lagos

The Tech Innovation of the Year Award by Art of Technology Lagos is one of Nigeria’s most prestigious national awards, recognizing individuals whose groundbreaking contributions have significantly advanced the country’s technology and digital landscape.

This year, Mary Emedom, a Senior Data Scientist at Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), emerged as the winner, cementing her status as a leading force in data science and financial technology innovation.

The selection process for this award is highly competitive, with nominees evaluated based on national impact, scalability of their innovations, and their contribution to technological advancement in Nigeria.

The award is not restricted to Lagos State alone but recognizes exceptional innovators from all 36 states, making it a true national honor. Mary’s achievement underscores her influence beyond Lagos, as her work continues to transform industries, empower young Nigerians, and drive innovation across the country.

Mary’s journey in data science and finance has been nothing short of transformative. Her award-winning project, Data for Financial Inclusion (DFI), has been a game-changer in using data analytics to drive financial accessibility and economic empowerment for Nigerians.

DFI was designed to leverage machine learning and predictive analytics to help financial institutions assess and expand access to credit, savings, and financial tools for underserved communities.

The impact of this project has been felt across Nigeria, particularly among small business owners, young entrepreneurs, and individuals in rural areas who have historically faced challenges accessing banking services.

By harnessing the power of big data and AI, Mary’s initiative has provided financial insights that help banks make informed lending decisions, ultimately driving financial inclusion at a national level.

Beyond her work in finance and data science, Mary is a champion for women in technology. She has founded Women in Data Science Nigeria (WiDS Nigeria), a platform that provides mentorship, training, and career support to women interested in breaking into the tech industry.

Through this initiative, she has trained and mentored hundreds of women, equipping them with the skills needed to excel in data science, analytics, and AI-driven technologies.

Her commitment to empowering women in tech has inspired many young professionals, leading to an increase in female representation in Nigeria’s data science and financial technology sectors. In addition to her mentorship programs, she frequently partners with Lagos State and national youth development initiatives, ensuring that young Nigerians, regardless of gender or background, have access to opportunities in the growing digital economy.

Mary’s contributions have not gone unnoticed. When her name was announced as the winner of the Tech Innovation of the Year Award, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, made an impromptu remark about how her innovation has become part of his daily routine.

In a lighthearted yet powerful moment, he acknowledged the practical impact of her work, emphasizing how data-driven financial solutions are shaping decision-making at the highest levels of governance and business.

His casual yet revealing statement reinforced the reality that Mary’s influence extends beyond the banking sector and into national policymaking and economic strategy. Her project has played a key role in helping governments, businesses, and financial institutions leverage data for economic growth, policy implementation, and financial inclusion.

Winning the Tech Innovation of the Year Award is not just a personal achievement for Mary—it is a recognition of the growing importance of data science in shaping Nigeria’s economy and digital transformation. Her ability to combine financial expertise with data-driven decision-making has set a benchmark for innovation in Nigeria’s banking and technology sectors.

Mary’s national impact is evident in her ability to bridge technology and finance, ensuring that data-driven insights lead to real-world solutions. Her dedication to expanding financial access, mentoring women in technology, and shaping Nigeria’s digital economy makes her a pioneer in the field.

Her recognition at this national award underscores that her work is not just changing Lagos but transforming lives across Nigeria. As she continues to drive innovation and inspire the next generation of data scientists and technologists, her influence will undoubtedly shape the future of financial technology and data-driven decision-making in Nigeria and beyond.

Written By: Adebayo Adekunle