NURUDEEN POPOOLA
Chief Information Officer
Lagos
Summary
Dynamic Chief Information Officer with 17 years of experience in shaping strategic direction and optimizing technology infrastructure operations. Expertise in leading digital transformation projects, developing IT strategies, and managing cybersecurity initiatives has consistently resulted in significant operational improvements. Achievements include a 40% reduction in IT operational costs and increased revenues through successful digital transformation initiatives. Committed to leveraging extensive knowledge and skills to drive innovation and enhance operational efficiency in future endeavors.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
11
11
Certifications
Work History
Head IT & Digital Innovation
Industrial & Medical Gases Nigeria Plc
05.2025 - Current
- As the Head, IT & Digital Innovation at Industrial & Medical Gases Nigeria Plc, my role involves overseeing the strategic direction and operations of the organization's technology infrastructure. Key responsibilities include IT project management, digital transformation, IT strategy, information security, project management, and cybersecurity management. I have successfully led many IT projects resulting in 40% reduction in the company's IT operational costs.
- Mentored and developed IT staff, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and encouraging professional growth within the team.
- Led the implementation of advanced digital solutions, enhancing operational efficiency and streamlining IT processes across departments.
- Spearheaded a cross-functional team to develop a comprehensive IT strategy, aligning technology initiatives with business objectives and driving innovation.
- Established robust cybersecurity protocols, safeguarding sensitive data and ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations.
- Evaluated and integrated emerging technologies, enhancing service delivery and positioning the organization as a leader in digital innovation.
IT Manager
Industrial & Medical Gases Nigeria Plc
01.2023 - 04.2025
- Led the development and implementation of IT strategies, enhancing operational efficiency across all departments.
- Directed IT budget planning and resource allocation, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and cost efficiency.
- Managed a cross-functional team to execute technology initiatives, resulting in improved system integration and performance.
- Oversaw the deployment of network infrastructure upgrades, significantly optimizing data transmission and reliability.
- Collaborated with external vendors to negotiate service agreements, ensuring optimal support and cost-effectiveness for IT solutions.
- Collaborated with other departments to help meet IT needs and properly integrate and secure systems.
- Communicated with executive team and CEO to maximize development efficiencies and resolve technology issues.
- Evaluated emerging technologies to identify opportunities for innovation and improvement within the organization''s IT landscape.
IT Lead
Industrial & Medical Gases Nigeria Plc
08.2021 - 12.2022
- As an IT Lead at Industrial & Medical Gases Nigeria Plc, I played a key role in leading a digital transformation project (TrackAbout), which resulted in increased revenues and business opportunities for the company.
- Participated in team projects, demonstrating an ability to work collaboratively and effectively.
- Used strong analytical and problem-solving skills to develop effective solutions for challenging situations.
- Led IT initiatives to streamline operations, enhancing system performance and improving overall efficiency across departments.
- Managed cross-functional teams to drive system upgrades, ensuring seamless integration with existing processes and infrastructure.
- Developed and implemented IT strategies that optimized technology utilization, resulting in increased productivity and reduced downtime.
Business System Analyst
African Oxygen Limited
06.2013 - 08.2021
- As a Business System Analyst at African Oxygen Limited, my responsibilities included analyzing business systems and processes to drive effective solutions and improvements. I successfully contributed to the company’s operations for over 8 years, prior to joining Industrial & Medical Gases Nigeria Plc.
- Analyzed complex business requirements to develop system specifications, enhancing operational efficiency across multiple departments.
- Engaged in stakeholder meetings to gather insights, aligning IT solutions with business objectives and enhancing stakeholder relationships.
- Developed comprehensive documentation to support end-users and facilitate future enhancements.
- Integrated disparate systems through API development and implementation for seamless data exchange between platforms.
- Conducted thorough system testing and validation to ensure accuracy and reliability, significantly reducing operational disruptions.
IT Officer
BOC Gases Nigeria Plc
11.2008 - 06.2013
- As IT Officer, I oversaw IT operations by ensuring system availability, scalability, optimization, and management and utilizing IT services to support BOC Gases’ business objectives. I am also responsible for the safety of information assets through inventory and allocation management. I supported the head of IT to facilitate enterprise IT security activities, ensuring physical and logical access controls were enforced.
- Developed and maintained IT infrastructure, enhancing system reliability and user satisfaction across all departments.
- Led system upgrades and migrations, improving application performance and reducing downtime for critical operations.
- Trained staff on new software applications and IT practices, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and technical proficiency.
Education
MSc. - Software Engineering
University of Liverpool
United Kingdom05.2018
BEng. - Electrical / Computer Engineering
Federal University of Technology Minna
11.2005
National Diploma - Computer Technology
Federal Polytechnic Offa
08.1998
Senior School Certificate Examination - undefined
Lagelu Grammar School
Ibadan06.1996
Skills
Agile project management
Digital Transformation
Cybersecurity oversight
Project coordination
Information technology strategy
Cybersecurity management
Business systems management
Software development
Strategic stakeholder involvement
Effective vendor management
Certification
African Cloud & Security Summit, CIO Africa by DX5, May 2024 — May 2024
References
References available upon request
Timeline
Head IT & Digital Innovation
Industrial & Medical Gases Nigeria Plc
05.2025 - Current
IT Manager
Industrial & Medical Gases Nigeria Plc
01.2023 - 04.2025
IT Lead
Industrial & Medical Gases Nigeria Plc
08.2021 - 12.2022
Business System Analyst
African Oxygen Limited
06.2013 - 08.2021
IT Officer
BOC Gases Nigeria Plc
11.2008 - 06.2013
BEng. - Electrical / Computer Engineering
Federal University of Technology Minna
Senior School Certificate Examination - undefined
Lagelu Grammar School
MSc. - Software Engineering
University of Liverpool
National Diploma - Computer Technology
Federal Polytechnic Offa