In this interview, we delve into the remarkable story of how Abiola Olomola, the Associate Director Technology & Cyber Risk at Uniqus Consultech Inc., embarked on her path to success in the world of information technology and compliance. Join us as Abiola shares her experiences, notable accomplishments, leadership style, and the values that have guided her along the way. Discover what sets IHS Towers apart from other companies, how Abiola navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and her aspirations for the future. Get ready to be inspired by Abiola’s journey as a leader and her relentless pursuit of excellence in the field of IT compliance and controls.
Introducing Abiola Olomola and Her Background
Abiola began her career as an IT Auditor at KPMG, one of the Big 4 accounting firms, where she was responsible for conducting external penetration tests on internet banking systems, developing and reviewing IT security policies in alignment with ISO27001/2, and providing remediation strategies for security incidents, including malware attacks, network intrusions, and firewall breaches. She then transitioned to MTN Communications as a System Auditor, where she evaluated data controls within IT systems, performed integrity checks, and audited information system trails. She successfully reduced the spread of malware across the organization by implementing enterprise-wide hard-disk encryption and USB lockdown via Kaspersky Antivirus Security Center. Additionally, she ensured timely and accurate preparation of work papers for assigned audits in accordance with the internal audit manual and reviewed operational policies, processes, and procedures to provide actionable recommendations for improvement.
Abiola later advanced to a senior management role as Deputy General Manager, IT Projects, at one of the largest utility firms. In this capacity, she led an ICT commercial projects team, overseeing project planning, execution, and compliance with regulatory and safety requirements. Notable achievements included delivering the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) project, which closed the metering gap across AEDC franchise areas within 36 months. She also ensured complex project deliverables were completed on time and within budget while fostering strong vendor relationships to ensure compliance with regulatory authorities. Currently, she serves as Senior Manager, IT Compliance & Controls, where she leads the creation and execution of the IT SOX program. Her responsibilities include annual scoping, testing, remediation, and reporting to executive management. She provides annual and ongoing IT compliance training, drives IT transformation initiatives, and spearheads the end-to-end design and implementation of a governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) program. Furthermore, she collaborates closely with the first, second, and third lines of defense to report and manage cyber risks effectively under significant regulatory oversight.
Vision for the Future and Mission in Influencing Change
Abiola’s vision for the future is to create a more secure, innovative, and resilient IT ecosystem where businesses operate with integrity, comply with evolving regulations, and leverage technology responsibly to drive sustainable growth. This vision encompasses not only enhancing organizational capabilities but also empowering individuals and fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and accountability. To bring this vision to life, she has set specific goals that guide her efforts, such as strengthening IT controls and compliance frameworks, driving IT transformation and innovation, empowering the next generation of leaders, fostering organizational resilience, promoting sustainable and ethical practices, and advancing diversity and inclusion in technology.
Motivation and Passion for Leadership
Abiola’s motivation to pursue this vision stems from a combination of personal passion, professional responsibility, and a deep belief in the transformative power of technology when it is harnessed responsibly and ethically. She is driven by the desire to create meaningful impact, a passion for innovation and problem-solving, a commitment to ethical leadership, and a drive to empower and uplift others. Her ultimate goal is to build a safer digital future, ensuring that businesses and individuals alike benefit from secure and transparent technological advancements.
Overcoming Challenges in the Industry
Throughout her career, Abiola has encountered several significant challenges, each requiring a unique approach and mindset to address effectively. She has had to adapt to rapid technological changes, manage resistance to change, balance compliance with business objectives, address cybersecurity threats, navigate regulatory and cultural complexities, deliver projects under tight constraints, and build and retain high-performing teams. By addressing these obstacles with resilience, adaptability, and collaboration, she has turned challenges into opportunities for innovation and improvement, ensuring success both for her teams and the organizations she serves.
Opportunities on the Horizon
The future holds tremendous opportunities, especially in the IT compliance and control field, driven by technological advancements, evolving regulations, and the growing demand for secure and efficient digital ecosystems. Abiola is leveraging advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning, the proliferation of cloud computing, the rise of zero-trust architecture, regulatory evolution and global standards, the growing emphasis on cyber resilience, data privacy and ethical AI, and talent development in a digital-first world. By actively engaging with these technologies, she aims to drive transformative change and create lasting impact in the industry.
Excitement for Technological Advancements
Abiola is particularly excited about several technological advancements and innovations that have the potential to transform the IT compliance and cybersecurity landscape. She is actively involved in exploring and implementing artificial intelligence and machine learning, zero-trust security architecture, governance risk and compliance platforms, ethical AI and privacy-enhancing technologies, IoT security, quantum computing, and post-quantum cryptography. These innovations are shaping the future of IT security and compliance, and Abiola is dedicated to ensuring that organizations remain secure, compliant, and forward-thinking in their approach to technology.
Addressing Ethical Dilemmas and Conflicts
Ethical dilemmas and conflicts are an inevitable part of leadership, especially in IT compliance, cybersecurity, and business operations, where decisions have significant implications for both individuals and organizations. Abiola ensures that all her decisions are grounded in integrity, accountability, and transparency. She adheres to a personal and professional code of ethics that prioritizes long-term sustainability over short-term gains. To effectively navigate ethical challenges, she leverages established organizational policies, industry regulations, and ethical decision-making frameworks to ensure compliance. Abiola believes in fostering open communication and collaboration by engaging stakeholders early in the decision-making process and maintaining transparency to build trust. Additionally, she prioritizes continuous learning and ethical awareness by participating in training programs and recognizing unconscious biases that could influence decisions. By assessing the impact of her choices and maintaining a feedback loop, Abiola ensures that ethical integrity remains a core principle in all her professional endeavors.
Measuring the Impact of Efforts
Measuring the impact of efforts in IT compliance, cybersecurity, and business leadership is crucial for driving continuous improvement and achieving organizational success. Abiola aligns her efforts with strategic objectives, ensuring that all initiatives contribute to broader business goals. She utilizes a combination of quantitative and qualitative metrics to gauge success. In IT compliance and cybersecurity, she tracks the reduction in security incidents, the average time taken to resolve issues, and the number of audit findings to assess the effectiveness of implemented policies. She also monitors project delivery metrics, innovation adoption, and governance indicators such as risk reduction and regulatory compliance. Abiola employs dashboards, benchmarking techniques, and periodic reviews to ensure that her initiatives remain effective. Through post-implementation assessments and data-driven decision-making, she continuously refines strategies to enhance impact and reinforce the value delivered to stakeholders.
Lessons and Experiences That Shape Leadership
Throughout her career, Abiola has learned invaluable lessons that have shaped her leadership approach. She believes resilience is key to overcoming challenges and views setbacks as opportunities for growth. Her experience adapting to diverse industries and evolving technologies has reinforced the importance of perseverance and problem-solving. Continuous learning is another pillar of her success, as she stays updated with industry certifications and emerging trends to remain relevant. Abiola emphasizes the significance of building strong relationships, fostering collaboration, and maintaining clear communication. She remains steadfast in her values, ensuring that integrity and ethical decision-making guide her actions. Her focus on impact over activity drives her to prioritize tasks that yield tangible results. Additionally, she finds fulfillment in mentoring others, believing that leadership is about empowering those around her. By embracing calculated risks and celebrating small wins, Abiola maintains motivation and alignment with her long-term vision.
The Power of Education and Empowerment
Education and empowerment are transformative forces that shape individuals and communities for a better future. Abiola firmly believes that knowledge equips people with the skills necessary to achieve their goals, adapt to change, and drive innovation. Education plays a crucial role in breaking cycles of poverty and fostering equality by bridging social and economic gaps. It empowers marginalized groups by providing them with the tools to advocate for their rights and actively participate in decision-making. Additionally, education encourages critical thinking, civic engagement, and sustainability by instilling a sense of responsibility towards the planet and fostering global awareness. Abiola highlights real-world examples, such as grassroots educational movements and technology-driven learning initiatives, as evidence of how education can uplift communities. By investing in education and empowerment, she envisions a world where individuals have the confidence and resources to create meaningful change and contribute to a more equitable society.
Sources of Inspiration and Defining Experiences
Abiola draws inspiration from a variety of sources, including mentors, industry pioneers, and personal experiences that have influenced her leadership journey. She has been fortunate to learn from visionary leaders who emphasize empathy, strategic thinking, and empowerment. Their guidance has shaped her approach to leadership, reinforcing the importance of inspiring those around her and fostering innovation. She also admires pioneers in cybersecurity, compliance, and technology, whose dedication to ethical advancements motivates her to address challenges with foresight. Personal experiences, particularly navigating high-pressure projects and cross-functional teams, have reinforced her resilience and commitment to excellence. A defining moment in her career occurred during a large-scale compliance project when a conversation with a junior team member highlighted the broader impact of their work in protecting organizations and consumers. This experience reaffirmed her belief in ethical leadership and the value of mentorship in shaping the future of IT compliance and governance.
Significant Achievements and Milestones
Over the course of her career, Abiola has achieved numerous milestones that reflect her dedication to IT compliance and governance. She has been recognized as a leader in IT Governance, Risk & Compliance and received the Global Women Leadership Award. Her work in transforming IT governance in the telecom industry has been acknowledged by Empire Magazine. She has driven organizational excellence, earning recognition from CXO Times and CIO Women Leaders. Her impact in IT has also been celebrated through awards such as the Top Leader in Information Technology by the Impact Leadership Awards and the Top 5 Remarkable Women Making an Impact by CIO Today. Passionate Magazine and Passion Vista have featured her among the Top Business Innovators and Global Game Changers. Additionally, she has received the Outstanding Leadership Award from the Internet 2.0 Conference and was a CEH Hall of Fame Finalist by the EC Council. These achievements reflect her unwavering commitment to excellence and her influence in shaping the future of IT governance and compliance.
In conclusion, Abiola Olomola’s journey is a testament to resilience, innovation, and the power of ethical leadership. Her commitment to IT compliance, governance, and empowerment has not only shaped her career but also contributed to the growth and security of the organizations she has been a part of. By continuously learning, adapting to challenges, and leading with integrity, Abiola serves as an inspiration for aspiring professionals in the field. Her story underscores the importance of perseverance, collaboration, and staying true to one’s values in achieving success and making a meaningful impact.
