Aderemi Atanda is the Executive Director of Systemspecs Limited and a respected name in the Nigerian IT sector. Ogheneyoma Omaredje had an encounter with him recently, when he received an award on behalf of John Obaro given by Fate Foundation in Lagos
It is a bright afternoon and you are in the Shell Hall of the MUSON Centre, Lagos. The hall is filled with young and successful entrepreneurs who have carved a niche for themselves. The gathering is the 2018 Fate Foundation event and awards to recognise entrepreneurs who have made a mark in the sector.
Aderemi Atanda, executive director of Systemspec, is one of those recognised at the event for his dedication, intellectual development and contributions to the digital space in the country.
Interestingly, he is ready to tell whoever cares to listen that he did not study IT in the university. Instead, the graduate of Physics got into the sector by sheer inquisitiveness, probing and persistence.
Leading a team of local and foreign organisations and consultants, he was the pioneer project delivery director of the very successful World Bank-assisted federal government Integrated Payroll & Personnel Information System (IPPIS) that started in November 2006 and went live in a record six months.
He also led the vibrant team that successfully delivered one of the earliest and very challenging end-to-end e-payment initiatives of the federal government within two months, following the presidential directive of January 2009. This has gone on to become a model for other federal and state MDAs.
With a first degree from the University of Ibadan and an MBA from the Pan-Atlantic University (formerly Pan-African University), ‘DeRemi’ is also a year 2000 alumnus of the Advanced Management Programme (AMP) of the Lagos Business School and a participant in Stanford University’s SEED programme.
You ask what the recent recognition means to him and Atanda gives kudos to his boss and mentor for the success recorded: “I think I will say, it is a celebration of vision. I would also say that this is inspired by John Obaro’s vision of creating something unique and different. It is somehow gratifying to be part of the execution and trends that equip inspiring entrepreneurship around this time.”
He adds that “in the past, there wasn’t anything like that, so it is a celebration of a man of mission, a man of passion and a humble person for that matter. He is someone who has been part of making things happen and giving to all the people. So, I think it is a moment when you want to recognise hard work-based patience, by staying indoor over the long journey base. And it is not every day that people get to recognise that and so it is commendable.
“So, it is interesting and a great feat recognising people who have invested in building enduring businesses and also those committed to raising another generation of people. He is also a man who loves walking behind of scene.
“He would rather that you just take the limelight and not him, but he is someone whose work would always speak for him. So, he is not a man who would aspire to this kind of public recognition and I think his trip actually saved him from this.”
Going on, Aderemi stated: “I think there are many other people who can be celebrated in Nigeria because we have so many people who are making things happen. John happens to be one of them and I am so proud of them.”
Wondering if this was something that he planned for or just sheer luck? He replies this way: “It is no direct relationship with Fate Foundation, they just came looking for us and we were familiar with the perimeters for their award. In fact, I think they were looking for people who are not really directly connected to them. They were just celebrating entrepreneurship and the values they inspire.”
Next, he talks about the keys for successful entrepreneurship and how to make a difference against the odds. “I think that the number one requirement is that there must just be a vision that drives what you want to do. It tells you why you just want to do something and how you want to do the next thing after that.
“Hard work, determination and perseverance help the individual to stand out and make a difference where others are failing. So, once you have done the basic things, then you can talk about the passion and how it would drive the process. This is because vision without passion is not going to take you anywhere and passion with a vision will not take you beyond your spot either. So, when you combine vision and passion then you can be sure that those things inside of you can have expressions that will bring a blast.”
He further explains that there is need to collaborate and integrate some of the efforts that are going on in the sector. “You would be amazed at the number of engagement and partnerships that we have across the country and which is largely focused on building and integrating the necessary facilities for both humans and for infrastructure.
You don’t just go in to these things for just any reason. What we are seeing is a stationary education level, industry level, and in education and health care, you find people who don’t have the voice. Unfortunately, all they need is just a little lift, a lift that would take them to the next level in life.”
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