Nigeria’s Adewale Emerges Forbes Best of Africa Digital Trust Leader 2023

Emma Okonji

A Nigerian and Co-founder/Chief Visionary Officer of Digital Encode Limited, Dr. Adewale Peter Obadare, has emerged as Forbes Best of Africa Outstanding Digital Trust Leader of the Year 2023.

The award is another testament to Obadare, a well-recognised subject matter expert with numerous successful engagements to his credit in Africa.

A letter of notification of his nomination signed by the President, Custom Solutions Media, for Forbes Media, Mark Furlong, read: “Through its awards, Forbes acknowledges and celebrates Dr. Obadare as among exemplary leaders, top businessmen, political leaders and dynamic personalities with records for far-reaching impacts and positive contributions to the development of their respective countries, sectors and industries.

“Forbes wishes to commend your work as the co-founder and chief visionary officer (CVO), Digital Encode Limited, a reputable company with successes around the globe.”

Obadare was honoured with the prestigious award at the Waldorf Hilton Hotel, London, United Kingdom, on July 18, 2023, during the FIN/Forbes Best of Africa Awards Reception.

The ceremony was graced by dozens of business community leaders, policymakers, entrepre-neurs, politicians, opinion leaders, the media, Forbes’ partners, and international investors.

Speaking shortly after receiving the award, Obadare commented that it was one of the best experiences of his professional career.

He said: “I am truly honoured and exhilarated to receive this award. It is truly one of the best experiences in my professional career. It is a great privilege that Forbes nominated me for this honour. My utmost respect goes to my family, whose encouragement has enabled me to go all the way.

“The most profound recognition goes to the entire Digital Encode team for their collaboration over the years. I am delighted to have received such recognition. I believe this award will further boost Digital Encode vision of becoming the next Cybersecurity Unicorn.”

Obadare is a seasoned multi-award Cybersecurity and GRC expert with over 56 international professional certifications to his credit; Master of Science in Cybersecurity, Liverpool University, UK, and was awarded honourary doctorate in Cybersecurity from Trinity International University of Ambassadors, Atlanta Georgia, United States of America.

He is arguably the most ‘Credentialed’ pan-African Digital Trust Leader, Cybersecurity Strategist, GRC Thought Leader and Global Technopreneur. He is a Fellow of British Computer Society (FBCS), Fellow Institute of Management Consultants (FIMC); Fellow Institute of Information Management (FIIM); Fellow Enterprise Security Risk Management (FESRM); Fellow Institute of Brand Management (FIBM); Chartered Information Technology Professional (CITP -UK);  the First PECB Certified Data Protection Officer (CDPO) in Nigeria; the First PECB Lead Pentest Professional in Nigeria; First Global PECB Certified Digital Transformation Officer (CDTO), the First Ec-Council Licensed Penetration Tester (LPT) in Africa; First Ec-Council Certified Blockchain Professional in Africa; Second COBIT 5 Certified Assessor in Africa;  Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard Qualified Security Assessor (PCI DSS QSA); and Forbes Technology Council Official Member.