Akanimo Usoro

Dynamic and accomplished Operations Professional with a PhD in Economics and over a decade of expertise in operations, project management, data analysis, and digital transformation at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). As the Technical Assistant to the Deputy Governor of Operations, I provide strategic technical guidance to CBN’s top leadership, lead high-impact projects, and oversee operational initiatives across the bank. I am dedicated to driving efficiency and delivering transformative solutions that align with CBN's institutional goals. As a certified Organizational Culture Expert and Project Management Professional (PMP), I bring advanced skills in stakeholder engagement, relationship management, and cross-functional collaboration. As a certified Cloud Architect (Azure and AWS), I merge technical proficiency with a nuanced understanding of Nigeria’s economic, political, and social conditions to support sustainable, data-driven outcomes. I successfully led several digital transformation projects, automating core processes, reducing waste, and significantly improving turnaround times. I developed and deployed the Enterprise Project Management System in the Central Bank of Nigeria, enhancing project tracking and strategic alignment across the bank, while mentoring over 120 project managers to elevate portfolio management standards. In-depth experience in public sector operations has equipped me with insights into Nigeria’s economic and social dynamics, enabling me to provide actionable, data-driven recommendations that drive the Central Bank of Nigeria’s objectives forward. At CBN, I advise on strategies for efficient nationwide currency distribution, coordinate branch operations, and oversee the strategic management of Nigeria’s external reserves, reinforcing the bank’s operational and strategic priorities.

• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Certified Organizational Culture Expert - Hofstede Insights
• Cloud Architect (Microsoft Azure, AWS)
• Automation in Business - London School of Economics
• Analyzing Data with Power BI - EdX
• Generative AI by Microsoft

• Enhanced Cost Savings: Optimized CBN’s AWS Trade Monitoring System, achieving $1.2 million in savings and implementing the Legal Case Management System, saving 100 million Naira.
• Operational Efficiency Gains: Deployed the Enterprise Correspondence System, enhancing communication across departments and with external stakeholders, resulting in $200,000 in annual savings.
• Strategic Project Leadership: Spearheaded the implementation of CBN’s Enterprise Project Management Information System, streamlining project workflows and saving 200 million Naira.

• PhD in Economics with extensive experience in economic analysis, contributing to informed decision-making and strategic alignment with national and institutional objectives.
• Technical Advisor to CBN’s Deputy Governor, overseeing operational activities in the bank, currency management, branch coordination, and efforts to shore up Nigeria’s external reserves.
• Project Management Professional (PMP), Led and involved in Several Projects including leading CBN’s digital transformation initiatives, e.g. developing an Enterprise Project Management Dashboard and automating core processes to enhance turnaround times and cost efficiency.
• Certified Organizational Culture Professional, skilled in fostering cohesive, high-performance environments.
• Cloud Architect (Azure and AWS), proficient in deploying and managing cloud-based solutions that support CBN’s digital transformation and operational efficiency.