NiRA Board of Trustees
BOT Bio Data
Sir Chima Onyekwere, OON​
Sir Chima Uzoma Ndubuisi Onyekwere, OON, FNCS, obtained his first degree, B.SC in Geology in 1985 from the University of Ife now known as the Obafemi Awolowo University, A Masters in Information Technology- Information Assurance from University of Maryland University College, Maryland USA, A post graduate professional management education for Chief Executives from Lagos Business School Lagos State and an Alumnus of Harvard Business School, Boston USA. He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Computer Society (FNCS).
Born Innovator, Sir Onyekwere championed the Internet revolution in Nigeria by establishing the first Internet Service Provider (ISP) – Linkserve Limited, which earned him the sobriquet “Father of Nigerian Internet” by the Federal Government of Nigeria as cited during his conferment in 2007. Over a thirty (30) Years career, He received the Pathfinder Award in ICT, ICT personality of the year, Titan of Technology and so many other awards industry awards.
Sir Onyekwere has served and is still serving Nigeria in so many High-Profile Boards such as Chairman, Board of Directors, Nigerian Internet Exchange Point (IXPN) and Chairman, Board of Trustees of Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA). He chairs the boards of Linkserve Limited, Saap-Tech Nigeria Limited and Parkhill Consult. He also served as a pioneer board member of FATE Foundation (an NGO involved in the development of entrepreneurs focusing on younger generation). He has provided empowerment, employment and stability to many Nigerians from across the Nigerian landscape.
A former President General of Federal Government College Kano Old Students Association, Sir Onyekwere is a Knight of Methodist Church and highly esteemed title holder – Iyi Udo Amachara. An entrepreneur, a role model, an amazing family man, husband and father to five accomplished now independent children, one of whom is the current African Champion of Discus in Sports.
Mrs. Ibukun Odusote​
Mrs. Ibukun Odusote is the Secretary to the Board of Trustees of NiRA and a pioneer member of the Board of Trustees.
She is a civil servant in IT and administration. She was the first administrative contact person for the .ng top-level Nigerian domain name. She has served as the Permanent Secretary for the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and for the Political Affairs Department in the Office of the Secretary to the Federal Government
She holds a B.Sc. degree in Computer Science/Economics from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife. She has an M.Sc. degree in Computer Science from the University of Lagos. She works with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (Political Affairs Office).
She is a fellow, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Member, Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria, Member, Internet Society, Member, IFIP WG9.4 on Social implications of IT to development in developing countries, Member, Nigerian Institute of Management and President, Digital Peers International.
Prof. (Mrs) Adenike Ososfisan​
Director of the University of Ibadan School of Business,
B.Sc.(Computer Science/Economics), M.Sc. (Information & Computer Science),
Ph.D (Computer Science), MBA (Accounts & Finance), FNCS, FNIM
Adenike Oyinlola Osofisan (Mrs.) holds an M.Sc in Information and Computer Science from the Georgi Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, and a PhD in Computer Science from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife as the first woman in Nigeria to have a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Computer Science. She also has an MBA (Finance and Accounts) of the University of Ibadan in 1993. She graduated with nine distinctions as the MBA award winner for her set. Prof (Mrs.) Osofisan is a professor at the Department of Computer science, University of Ibadan which she currently heads. She was the President and Chairman of the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (2005-2009) as the first woman to head the Council. Professor (Mrs.) Osofisan has been a research fellow in the International Institute of Theoretical and Applied Physics (IITAP) Iowa State University Ames; Swinburae University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia; and Loria laboratory France, among others. She is a Fellow of Nigeria Institute of Management, the Nigeria Computer Society and also a Life Member of the Nigeria Economic Society. In addition, she is a member of the Association of computing machinery in America and a member of the Computer Society, IEEE. She is a Fellow of many professional associations and a member board of Trustees of the Nigeria Internet Registration Association and a board member Computerize Nigeria Project, she is involved in many developmental initiatives from the United Nations. Professor (Mrs.) Osofisan has won numerous honours and awards for distinguishing herself in various endeavours.
She is married to Professor Femi Osofisan, a prominent professor of theatre and literature and they are blessed with four children.
Mr. Shina Badaru​
Mr. Shina Badaru is a member of the Board of Trustees of NiRA. He is the founder/group CEO of Technology Times Media Group. He graduated from the Department of Mass Communications, the University of Lagos in 1993. He has earned many awards and recognitions, including the first Nigerian recipient of the SAP African Technology Reporting Award in 2001 and the First Prize Winner of UN African Media Awards on Local ICT Content. He is the President of the Joint Action Committee on IT Awareness and Development, (JACITAD), the umbrella body of ICT Journalism in Nigeria and a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He graduated from Nigeria’s prestigious journalism school, the Department of Mass Communications, the University of Lagos in 1993 and started his journalism career in THISDAY Newspapers in 1996. He was the pioneer IT Reporter, pioneer IT Editor and pioneer Electronic News Editor for THISDAY.
Mr. Shina Badaru has since written on technology issues for various print and online media organizations including National Interest, Computer Network News in Africa (CNNiA), PC World West Africa, BusinessDAY, Daily Independent, Balancing Act News Update, The Sun, Nigeria Monthly, among others.
Mr. Shina Badaru has presented an article “What Do The Top 100 Most Visited Websites by Nigerians Tell Us?” to reflect on the critical mass of Nigerian users that have continued to migrate to various Internet sites offering free web-based email services, social networking sites and a host of other Nigerian and foreign brands competing for maximum exposure and visibility to the Nigerian audience.
Yanusa Zakari Ya’u ​
Mr. Yunusa Zakari Ya,u is a Member of the Board of Trustees of NiRA. He is the Executive Director, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) – CITAD.
Barrister Emmanuel Edet​
Barrister Emmanuel Edet is a member of the Board of Trustees of NiRA. He is the representative of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) on the Board. He works with NITDA as a Legal Adviser.
