Mohammed Ibrahim Jega
Mohammed Ibrahim Jega | |
|---|---|
 Jega in 2018 | |
| Born | June 15, 1981 Kaduna, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Alma mater | Ahmadu Bello University |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Employer | VoguePay |
| Known for | StartUp Arewa |
| Title | Chief Business Development Officer of VoguePay | Founder of StartUp Arewa | Co-founder of Domineum |
Mohammed Ibrahim Jega, (born June 15, 1981) an indigen of Jega, Kebbi State is a Nigerian entrepreneur and technology startup founder.[1] He is better known as the chief business development officer at the online payment processing gateway VoguePay.[2][3]
Born and raised in Kaduna State, Jega founded the technology and innovation hub StartUp Arewa in 2016.[4]
He was named as one of the members of Nigeria's presidential advisory group along with CcHUB founder Bosun Tijani in 2018.[5] Jega was also part of Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo's delegation to Silicon Valley in the same year.[6]
His investment interest ranges from financial technology or block-chain technology to cyber security. In 2018, he joined the blockchain startup KickCity as an advisor on business development and growth in Africa.[7][8]
Jega was named as one of the directors of the Silicon Valley–based the Founder Institute in February 2020.[9]
In the year 2017, he was listed as one of the most influential young Nigerians by Advance Media.[10]
Early life and Education
[edit]Jega was born in Kaduna, where he spent most part of his early life. He graduated with a bachelor's degree from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, in 2003.[3]
Career
[edit]VoguePay
[edit]Jega joined VoguePay as one of its directors. VoguePay was founded in 2012.[3]
Despite not having any venture-backing, the startup has grown to processing millions of dollars worth of transactions daily. Jega said the company's approach to improving its products was the reason behind the rise in its numbers.[11]
In 2019, VoguePay was named Online Payment Company of the Year at the African Ambassadors and Diaspora Interactive Forum (AAFID) summit in London.[11][12][13]
StartUp Arewa
[edit]Jega founded StartUp Arewa in 2016.[14][15] It now has different hubs in 19 states in Nigeria, helping young tech entrepreneurs and digital talents make the most of those skills.
The innovation hub launched a summit in 2018 that allowed over 500 young Nigerians to learn new digital skills.[15]
Since its launch, StartUp Arewa has partnered with state governments in Northern Nigeria and other private individuals in an effort to grow the tech community in the region.[16]
The startup incubation programmes have been supported by Nigeria's Bank of Industry (BOi) and Coders for Africa.[2]
Domineum
[edit]The Jega co-founded Domineum, the first distributed ledger technology company providing blockchain as a service solution in Africa.[17]
Domineum, founded in 2017, was reported to have helped African governments save over $5 million in 2019 alone. Jega co-founded this company along with another entrepreneur, Geoffrey Weli-Wosu.[18][19][20]
Presently, the startup is working with several governments and individuals in Africa, the Caribbean and some parts of Europe.
Recognitions
[edit]- Nishadi TV named Jega as one of the Top Twenty Northern Entrepreneurs under 40 in 2017.[21]
- At the 2016 Africa Youths Award in Kenya, Jega was honoured with the "Entrepreneur of the Year" award.[22]
References
[edit]- ^ "Abuja start-up ecosystem is growing". Punch Newspapers. 3 August 2019. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
- ^ a b Ndiomewese, Ifeanyi (2016-11-14). "Has Northern Nigeria's tech community come of age with launch of Startup Arewa?". Techpoint.Africa. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
- ^ a b c "Techpreneur Mohammed Jega Driving Supports For Tech Startups in Northern Nigeria". africabusinessradio.com. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
- ^ "Startup Arewa holds summit for tech and media entrepreneurs". ITEdgeNews.ng. 2018-08-01. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
- ^ Oludimu, Titilola (2018-07-10). "Here are 28 tech entrepreneurs that made the presidential advisory group". Techpoint.Africa. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
- ^ Ndiomewese, Ifeanyi (2018-07-09). "VP Osinbajo visits Silicon Valley with Nigerian tech entrepreneurs". Techpoint.Africa. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
- ^ "Mohammed Ibrahim Jega Joins KickCity's Board – Social Enterprise Newspaper". Retrieved 2020-05-20.[dead link]
- ^ Barcity, Dominic (May 21, 2020). "Jega of ICT: The Entrepreneur that won't stop building local talents and community". Vanguardngr. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
- ^ Abidoye, Modupe. "Founder Institute appoints Mohammed Jega as Director". Retrieved 2020-05-20.
- ^ Akpah, Prince. "NOMINEES FOR 2017 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL YOUNG NIGERIANS RANKING ANNOUNCED". Retrieved 2020-05-20.
- ^ a b "AADIF honours VoguePay for online payment transactions". Businessday NG. 2019-08-06. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
- ^ "VoguePay takes home the Best Fintech Startup Award". Ventureburn. 2017-04-03. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
- ^ "VoguePay bags two payment solutions awards in UK, Nigeria » Info Tech » Tribune Online". Tribune Online. 2020-01-14. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
- ^ "Tasirin shafukan sada zumunta a rayuwa". BBC News Hausa (in Hausa). 2017-02-27. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
- ^ a b "Daliban arewacin Najeriya sun yi bajinta a Afirka". BBC News Hausa (in Hausa). 2018-08-07. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
- ^ Oluka, Peter. "'Our Kebbi Project' sets new tune for startups ecosystem". Retrieved 2020-05-20.
- ^ "Startup Domineum.io Generates $5M for African Govts within 11 mo". Bloomberg.com. 2020-04-28. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
- ^ "Startup Domineum.io Generates $5M For African Govts Within 11 Months | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. April 29, 2020. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
- ^ "How Domineum is driving blockchain usage in Africa | Geoffrey Weli-Wosu, Mohammed Jega | #GBC22". YouTube.
- ^ "Geoffrey Weli-Wosu and Mohammed Ibrahim Jega appointed as BSV Ambassadors for West and East Africa". 3 March 2022.
- ^ "Nishadi.tv's Top Twenty Northern Entrepreneurs under Forty". www.bellanaija.com. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
- ^ "City Rydes Kenya wins Africa Youth "Startup of the Year" – Tekedia". Retrieved 2020-05-20.