It is usually said that Nigeria houses a body of talent that could change the way the global community relates with all sectors of the economy — healthcare, banking, agriculture, sports, security, mining, information and communication technology and indeed every affair that relates to man and his everyday environment.
This has again come to fore with what Christopher Okonkwo is doing, championing a new frontiers to provide solution-centred products in banking and health sector through the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
A product of the prestigious Lagos Business School and Master Degree holder in Business Analytics from Texas A&M – Commerce – Texas, Okonkwo has churned out series of articles published on international journals, with a central point on how to use AI to improve healthcare – A focus on mental health as well as using Digital Transformation and AI to combat Financial Fraud in Banking.
As a renowned IT manager, he is well groomed, with a deeper knowledge on the proper application of AI and Machine Learning to create products that will save banks from the multi-billion dollar fraud-related losses recorded in the industry across the globe annually.
It is no more news that internet fraud is one of the problems holding the global community by the jugular, even as efforts are being intensified to tackle it head-on. According to a report released by FBI March last year, Americans lost a whopping $10.3 billion to a wide variety of internet scams in 2022.
The losses were the highest in five years, according to the annual report from the FBI. The bureau’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) lodged more than 2,000 complaints per day.
Baffled by this, added to how retirees in Nigeria lose their life savings to fraud in the banking sector, Okonkwo and his team thought it necessary to do something that will leave a lasting impact and save individuals, businesses and in some cases, government institutions from losing humongous amount of money through scam.
As someone who has had a successful career in the banking sector in Nigeria before relocating to the United States, Okonkwo is properly abreast with the plethora of challenges here and that is why he tailored his products towards suiting the peculiar challenges in Nigeria.
A Globee Award Judge, he has continued to create products and share experiences through his articles on how AI and machine learning can be used to improve online security in the banking sector, detect fraudulent activities, and reduce risks. Some of his solutions are embedded with the ability to analyze vast amounts of data, and his AI algorithms solutions can easily detect unusual patterns and flag suspicious transactions for further investigation, leading to a safer and more secure online experience for bank customers.
He as worked in one of the top four audit firms in the world where he deployed his years of experience to further add value to the firm in nipping internet fraud even before they happen and detect ones that have already taken place, deploying measures to ensure they are curtailed.
In the health sector, Okonkwo’s expertise in AI technology has been truly unparalleled. He has also ventured into Al-based analytic data tracking and measuring product for the healthcare sector, which indeed exemplifies his visionary approach and unparalleled dedication to advancing the field. Through his innovative use of Al algorithms, he has developed a transformative solution that has revolutionized data analytics and measurement in healthcare, empowering organizations to make informed decisions and improve patient outcomes.
It is hoped that a day will come when we as a nation will begin to create the right atmosphere for our talents to be duly utilized towards providing solutions in the midst of myriads of challenges confronting our country. Christopher Okonkwo is one of those talents we need back here in our country.
