Mohammed Ibrahim Jega
Mohammed Ibrahim Jega (born June 15, 1981) 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]
Mohammed Ibrahim Jega | |
|---|---|
 Jega in 2018 | |
| Born | June 15, 1981 Kaduna, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigeria |
| 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 |
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] He was also part of the Vice President of Nigeria 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 announced as one of the directors of the Silicon Valley-based the Founder Institute in February, 2020.[9]
In 2017, he was listed as one of the most influential young Nigerians by Avance Media.[10]
Early life
Jega was born in Kaduna, where he spent the most part of his earlier life. He graduated with a bachelor's degree from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, in 2003.[3]
Career
VoguePay
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 why behind the rise in its number.[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
Jega founded StartUp Arewa in 2016.[14][15] However, 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
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]
Presently, the startup is working with several governments and individuals in Africa, Caribbean and some parts of Europe.
Recognition
- Nishadi TV named Jega as one of the Top Twenty Northern Entrepreneurs under 40 in 2017.[19]
- At the 2016 Africa Youths Award in Kenya, Jega was honoured with the "Entrepreneur of the Year" award.[20]
References
- ^ "Abuja start-up ecosystem is growing". Punch Newspapers. 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 ahyoxsoft.com. "Techpreneur Mohammed Jega Driving Supports For Tech Startups in Northern Nigeria". africabusinessradio.com. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
- ^ ITEdgeNews (2018-08-01). "Startup Arewa holds summit for tech and media entrepreneurs". ITEdgeNews.ng. 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.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ 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.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Wednesday; April 2020, 29; Newswire, 12:21 pm Press Release: ACN. "Startup Domineum.io Generates $5M For African Govts Within 11 Months | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
{{cite web}}:|first2=has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ BellaNaija.com. "Nishadi.tv's Top Twenty Northern Entrepreneurs under Forty". www.bellanaija.com. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
- ^ Editors, Tekedia. "City Rydes Kenya wins Africa Youth "Startup of the Year" – Tekedia". Retrieved 2020-05-20.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help)