Olusegun Enitan Dada (often recognized by his tech-brand associations as OED) is a prominent Nigerian tech entrepreneur and infrastructure specialist. While he shares a name with the current Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Social Media, Olusegun Enitan Dada is specifically the innovator who has built a multi-sector empire across fintech, software, and food logistics.
Olusegun Enitan Dada: The Multi-Sector Tech Architect
Early Life and Background
Olusegun Enitan Dada was born in 1986 in Nigeria. His early years were defined by a fascination with “how things work,” a curiosity that eventually led him into the technical sciences. Growing up during Nigeria’s transition into the digital age, he saw the massive gap between the country’s economic potential and its actual technological infrastructure, a gap he would later spend his career closing.
Family Background
Coming from a background that championed academic and moral discipline, Olusegun’s family provided the support system for his early ventures. He is married to his wife, Abike Dada, and they are blessed with three children. His family life is often cited as his “anchor,” allowing him to take the high-stakes risks required in the startup world.
Education
Olusegun possesses a robust academic and professional certification profile:
• Bachelor’s Degree: He earned a B.Sc. in Technology Education from the University of Lagos (UNILAG) in 2010.
• Master’s Degree: He followed this with an M.Sc. in Information Technology from UNILAG in 2014.
• Professional Pedigree: He is an alumnus of the Global CEO Program at Lagos Business School.
• Technical Certifications: He holds elite certifications including PMP (Project Management), CISSP (Cybersecurity), and CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert), making him one of the most technically “decorated” CEOs in the Nigerian fintech space.
Early Entrepreneurial Journey
His journey began in 2009 at just 23 years old when he founded IT Horizons. Frustrated by the poor ICT infrastructure available to Nigerian businesses, he decided to stop complaining and start building. Before this, he had sharpened his skills as a network consultant at Lopworks Limited, but the drive to solve enterprise-scale problems led him to strike out on his own.
Breakthrough in Cryptocurrency and Fintech
Olusegun’s major breakthrough came with the launch of ZojaPay and Smartsend Finance.
• ZojaPay: Launched as a “digital financial inclusion” app, it focused on P2P payments and agent banking.
• The Innovation: Unlike apps that focused only on the elite, ZojaPay was designed to be “resilient,” functioning even in areas with low internet penetration, which allowed it to scale rapidly across underserved Nigerian communities.
Business Ventures
Olusegun is a “serial” founder with a diverse portfolio:
• IT Horizons: A leading system integrator providing ICT solutions across Africa.
• ZojaPay: A digital payment platform focused on inclusivity.
• Foodkix & Kixmenu: A “bicycle-first” food delivery service and a digital POS system for restaurants, modernizing the hospitality sector.
• Luwasuite: An HR and compliance platform serving businesses in the UK and Africa.
• Mencura (2025): His most recent venture, a wellness brand focused on men’s health and social impact.
Influence in Nigeria’s Crypto and Tech Space
Olusegun is a vocal advocate for “Embedded Finance” and AI-driven cybersecurity. He has frequently appeared on national platforms like Channels TV and Arise News to discuss how Nigeria can leverage its young population to become a global tech hub. He believes that the future of the Nigerian tech space lies in “solving local problems with global standards.”
Controversies and Public Attention
While Olusegun has maintained a professional reputation, he is often confused in the media with his namesake, the political aide Segun Dada. He has handled this with humor and grace, occasionally clarifying his role as a “pure tech player.” He made headlines in 2025 when he was named among the Top 10 Nigerian Tech Founders by BusinessDay, solidifying his status as a “Game-Changer.”
Lifestyle and Assets
He is known for a lifestyle that balances corporate leadership with deep-rooted philanthropy. He is a member of the Institute of Directors (IoD) and the Nigeria Computer Society. His assets include the various tech companies within his “Zoja” and “IT Horizons” ecosystem, which operate across multiple African borders and the UK.
Personal Life
Beyond the boardroom, Olusegun is a mentor and a philanthropist. Through the OED Foundation, he provides scholarships and digital skills training to disadvantaged youth. He is a regular speaker at youth empowerment summits, where he encourages young Nigerians to “build rather than complain.”
Net Worth
As of 2026, Olusegun Enitan Dada’s net worth is estimated in the multi-million dollar range. His wealth is derived from his successful “exits” and the ongoing valuation of his diverse tech holdings, which serve thousands of corporate and retail clients across West Africa.
Legacy and Influence
Olusegun’s legacy is the “Zoja Ecosystem” a testament to the fact that one founder can solve problems in fintech, logistics, and HR simultaneously. He has influenced the space by proving that “technical expertise” (the ability to actually code and architect systems) is just as important as “entrepreneurial flair.”
Conclusion
Olusegun Enitan Dada is a rare breed of “technical founder” who has successfully scaled the bridge from pure engineering to executive leadership. From his early days at IT Horizons to his current global ventures, he has remained a steady force in the African tech revolution, proving that resilience and a problem-solving DNA can transform a nation’s digital future.
