SystemSpecs Founder John Obaro Bags Honorary Doctorate at Kings University

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to technology and exemplary leadership, Dr John Tanimola Obaro, the visionary founder and Group Managing Director of SystemSpecs Holdings Limited, has been conferred with an honorary Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) by Kings University, Odeomu, Osun State.

The conferment took place during the university’s 5th and 6th Combined Convocation Ceremony on Friday, October 25, 2024.

The Vice-Chancellor of Kings University, Professor Adenike Kuku, presented Dr Obaro with the distinguished honour, celebrating his groundbreaking work in technology, particularly in the areas of digital payment solutions, and his significant leadership in driving innovation across the African continent.

During the event, Dr Obaro delivered a lecture titled “Navigating the Digital Era: Embracing Creativity and Unlocking the Boundaries of Technology,” in which he emphasised the importance of creativity in the ever-evolving digital world. He encouraged the audience to explore new possibilities within technology, saying:

“As we navigate this digital age, creativity becomes the key to unlocking boundaries and pushing the frontiers of technology. Innovation is not confined to traditional tech sectors; rather, it can benefit several fields seamlessly.

The integration of technology in areas like law, medicine, and engineering opens unprecedented pathways for growth and success. Our capacity to innovate and embrace the opportunities before us will define not just our future, but that of generations to come.”

Dr. Obaro’s transformative leadership at SystemSpecs, one of Africa’s foremost software technology powerhouses, has profoundly impacted the digital landscape in Nigeria and beyond. SystemSpecs is renowned for its revolutionary Remita e-payment platform and the HumanManager software, both of which have empowered governments, businesses, and individuals to embrace technology as a catalyst for growth.

Dr Obaro is a distinguished alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Mathematics in 1979. He obtained an MBA from the University of Lagos in 1981 and later completed the Chief Executive Program at Lagos Business School in 1998. In addition to his academic accomplishments, he was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Computing and Information Technology by Trinity University in 2024, recognising his pioneering contributions to Nigeria’s software industry.

The SystemSpecs Group Managing Director expressed his profound gratitude to Kings University for the honour, while also acknowledging the invaluable support of his family and the talented team at SystemSpecs, stating: “I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition, and I dedicate this award to the many innovators who continue to shape Africa’s digital ecosystem.

This recognition is as much a testament to the passion and dedication of the incredible minds I have had the privilege of working with.”

The ceremony also attracted prominent figures, including renowned entrepreneur and Senior Pastor of Kingsway International Christian Centre, Matthew Ashimolowo, alongside other distinguished awardees such as Mr Paul Alaje, Senior Economist and Partner at SPM Professionals, Abuja, and Ms Yemi Adeyinka, Team Lead at Eaglecrest Legal Consult, Lagos, both of whom received Awards of Excellence in their respective fields.

Addressing the graduates, Ashimolowo asked them to discover opportunities that abound in Nigeria to be prosperous, saying opportunities are waiting to be explored.

“There is serious unemployment everywhere in the world, it is your creativity companies want to hire you for. So, there is money in Nigeria and you can get this by making a difference in creativity, innovation, the digital world and business ideas. If anybody tells you there is no money in Nigeria, they are lying to you.

Nigeria is at a crossroads with a record number of graduates without jobs. Look into the horizon, it’s hard for anyone to promise you anything better than what you see for yourself,” he further encouraged the graduating students.