Profile: Chris UWAJE

Chris Uwaje (FNCS, FSP)

Chris Uwaje is acclaimed as the Pioneer of the National Information Technology Policy for Nigeria (2000-2002) which created the National IT Development Agency (NITDA). He is a founding member and Fellow of Nigeria Computer Society (NCS). He is also a Co-Founder, Past President and Fellow of the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON). Uwaje is the originator of NCS ‘National Information Technology Merit Award’ (NITMA). He is a founding Member of Africa Emergency Technology Response Forum. (AETRF). Uwaje is Africa Chair for IEEE-Global Forum on IoTs. 2016-to date.

He is the founder, Chief Software Architect and Chairman of Mobile Software Solutions and Connect Technologies Limited, respectively. He was Lead Consultant and conceptualized one of the foremost Nigerian Science & Information Technology Park (SIT Park) and State IT Policy for Akwa Ibom State in 2003-2005. Uwaje is a co-Founder and Past-President of the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), 2009-2014. He is an IT veteran and commands a senior leadership position in the IT Professional and Industry Domain with over four decades of on-the-job IT Practice as Computer Scientist – Spread across four continents (Europe/Africa /Asia and North America), specializing in IT-Strategy and Policy Consulting, Software Engineering Solutions; Research, Design and Development (RD&D) - incorporating SIT Park project conceptualization, design, implementation, project management and Technical Support. In 2010, he published his book titled: “e-Knowledge – Time is running Out” at the Institute of International affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos. He was a Past-President of the Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN), 1999-2003.

Uwaje has published more than 300 papers on Information Technologies – Concepts, Strategies, Processes, Research and Development, from 1998 to date. Recently, served as Chair Panel of Judges, NCC Innovation Hub Competition, 2019-2021. Uwaje is the current Chair of National Software Strategic Think Tank (NSOFT) jointly established by NITDA AND NOTAP - 2019. Special areas of Professional focus include but not limited to International, National & Regional IT Strategy/Policy Consulting and Digital Knowledge Innovation and incubation Parks. Between 2010-14 as ISPON President, he established over 30 Software Clubs in the Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria. He was the convener and lead Host to National Software Conference and Competition, Lead Director, Software Incubation and Software Hackathon Events in Nigeria and HackEbola Working Group in New York City, Washington DC. USA. 2012-2014.

In 1975-1980, he studied at the Control Data Institute of Information Technology, Frankfurt, Germany. Equipped with the knowledge of  Computer Science, he enrolled for Operations Research at the British Institute of Engineering Technology UK, incorporating certificate in Communication Technology from the International Correspondence School, Glasgow, UK. (1980). He has presented numerous conference papers in Nigeria, USA and served as Panel Discussant at MIT/Boston/USA on Smart City. As speaker he has presented ICT Keynote at many Corporate ICT Conferences and at Nigeria Universities – Including but not limited to: UNN, UI, UNILAG, OAU, UNIBEN, UNIJOS, Covenant University and LASU/Others. He is instrumental to the establishment of Nigerian Diaspora Organization in Information Technology. Uwaje is the core promoter for the establishment of National Software Strategy for Nigeria and served as member of the National IT Policy Blueprint Formulation and drafting Committee. In 2003, he served as member of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on ICT Harmonization. Co-Chair: National Software Development Initiative (NSDI). Uwaje has also served as Member of Council of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) and Computer Professionals’ Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN) respectively. He served as member of the Governing Board of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Chair of NITDA e-Solve ICT Competition 2014. He is also served as former member of National ICT Advisory Council to the Minister of Communication Technology – Dr. Mrs. Omobola Johnson. He is the convener and Vice-Chair IPv6 Council Nigeria. Uwaje has won numerous ICT Awards internationally and at home, including Lifetime ICT Achievement Award 2016 and Africa ICT Champion Award 2014. Uwaje also served as the Director General of Delta State Innovation Hub (2015-2019). Uwaje performed as Chairman Emerging Technologies Innovation Hackathon of Nigeria Communications Commission -NCC. He has delivered several Keynotes, including but not limited to Keynotes for Africa ICT Alliance, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), IoT Genever Conference 2016, Nollywood Economic Outlook Forum, Africa Internet Network (AFRINIC), Presentations at e-Nigeria, etc. He has mentored thousands of Nigerians in the ICT and Digital Ecosystem at home and abroad.