Omowonuola Akintola wants Africa to build its geospatial future

Omowonuola Akintola is on a mission to map Africa's future, one village at a time. Her work in geospatial data has transformed communities across the continent, shedding light on areas previously overlooked by governments and humanitarian organisations. It's evidence of her unwavering dedication to using technology to drive development and, in her words, "make communities more visible."

Omowonuola Akintola's career has been a winding path, driven by her father's encouragement to pursue a career in urban planning. Growing up in Osogbo, the Osun State capital in Western Nigeria, Akintola's early interests lay in reading and, somewhat begrudgingly, Economics. However, it was her father's influence that steered her towards Surveying and Geoinformatics, a field she would later discover held more than just measuring land. As she delved deeper into her studies, Akintola's fascination with technology shone through, and she began to see the potential for geospatial data to revolutionise community development.

Akintola's journey into geospatial technology was, in her words, "just a chance." She applied to study Surveying and Geoinformatics at Obafemi Awolowo University, only to find the programme wasn't available. However, when OAU introduced it the following year, she seized the opportunity, gaining admission through Direct Entry. It was here that she discovered her true passion lay not in land surveying, but in harnessing technology to understand the world around her. As she immersed herself in programming languages, desktop software, and geospatial tools, Akintola's focus shifted from the technical aspects of land surveying to the transformative potential of geospatial data.

Akintola's work has taken her to the heart of Africa's development challenges. Through her work in geospatial data, she has helped governments and humanitarian organisations identify underserved communities, inform disaster response efforts, and support rural electrification projects. Her mission is clear: to make communities more visible and, in doing so, attract investment and drive development. It's a vision that resonates deeply with those who have been left behind, and one that requires a fundamental shift in how we approach community development.

Geospatial data has the power to transform communities, and Akintola is at the forefront of this revolution. By harnessing the potential of technology to understand and map the world around us, she is helping to create a more equitable and just society. It's a vision that requires courage, conviction, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. As Akintola looks to the future, one thing is clear: Africa's geospatial future is in good hands.

Omowonuola Akintola's work is evidence of the power of technology to drive development and transform communities. As she continues to push the boundaries of what is possible, one thing is certain: Africa's future will be shaped by the data we collect and the communities we serve.