Okunola Orogun is not your typical ‘numbers guy’. He’s a storyteller in the language of data, a problem-solver whose journey is stitched together by curiosity, resilience, and a quiet but unshakable belief in the power of technology to make lives better.
From the moment he began winning national math competitions as a young student, it was clear, Okunola wasn’t just good at numbers.
He saw meaning in them. Patterns spoke to him. Problems challenged him. And rather than shy away, he leaned in, with the kind of hunger that only grows stronger with time.
That hunger took him through the world of computer science and deep into the fast-evolving frontier of machine learning and AI. But what truly makes his story remarkable isn’t just the titles or technical skills, it’s his heart.
Whether he’s building fraud detection systems that shield people from financial harm or mentoring young minds who remind him of himself, Okunola brings compassion into a field that often forgets the human side of innovation.
His journey is proof that you don’t have to be born a genius to make an impact. You just need to stay curious, work with intention, and keep your purpose front and center.
In this interview, Okunola opens up about the defining moments of his journey, the setbacks that shaped him, and the wisdom he’s gathered along the way.
CA: Okunola, your journey as a researcher, data scientist and a figure in academia is truly inspiring. Can you take us back to how it all began?
Okunola: Thank you. My journey started with a strong curiosity for technology and math from a young age. I competed in national math contests in secondary school, placing third in a state-wide event in 2007, which boosted my confidence.
This passion led me to earn a Bachelor’s in Computer Science, graduating top of my class with First Class Honours in 2012. That success opened doors with scholarships and confirmed my path.
During my MSc, I researched intelligent network optimization at the dawn of 5G, collaborating internationally, which sharpened my skills and sparked my interest in data science and AI. I saw how data could solve complex real-world problems.
Inspired, I pursued a PhD in machine learning for fraud detection. It all began with a love for problem-solving and a vision to use technology for good. These experiences laid a strong foundation for my career as a researcher and academic.
CA: Interesting! Building a career that bridges data science and analytics takes both technical mastery and vision. What was your journey like, and were there any key mentors or role models who guided you along the way?
Okunola: My journey has straddled both academia and industry in data science, blending expertise with vision. I dedicated years to advanced studies and research to build a strong foundation in machine learning and analytics, while applying these skills in finance, health, and cybersecurity.
This dual path shaped me into a professional comfortable both prototyping algorithms and implementing data solutions in business.
I couldn’t have done it alone. During my master’s, I worked closely with professors like Prof. A.A. Eludire, Prof. Sam Oluwadare, Prof. S.O. Obe, and Dr. O.O. Ajayi, who guided my technical work and taught me to think critically and ambitiously about data science’s impact.
Their mentorship revealed the bigger picture of data-driven innovation. I also admired industry leaders who bridged theory and practice, inspiring me to push beyond my comfort zone. These mentors instilled a simple philosophy: master the fundamentals but always connect them to a broader vision. This mindset has guided me, helping build a bridge between rigorous analytics and real-world impact.
CA: The world of data science and machine learning is fast-paced, highly technical, and always evolving. What major challenges have you faced in this space, and how did you navigate through them?
Okunola: One major technical challenge I faced was concept drift in machine learning, especially in fraud detection. Fraud tactics evolve quickly, making models that work today ineffective tomorrow.
During my PhD on credit card fraud, my models lost accuracy as new fraud patterns emerged, which was frustrating but a vital learning moment. I developed an adaptive ensemble algorithm that learns from new data and adjusts detection strategies in real time, creating a system that evolves with the threat. This approach maintained high detection rates and was deployed in the financial industry.
Another challenge is keeping up with rapid innovation in data science. Early on, I felt overwhelmed by the constant influx of new tools, frameworks, and research. I overcame this by adopting lifelong learning, dedicating weekly time to reading papers, experimenting with technologies, and taking courses.
Collaboration also helps; mentoring and working with others is a two-way learning process. With humility and curiosity, I’ve turned constant change into growth, using adaptability and continuous learning as my compass in this fast-moving field.
CA: Wow, Powerful! Your career has been fueled by hard work, research, and resilience. What has kept you motivated, especially during the tough early days?
Okunola: In the early tough days, what kept me going early on was a deep sense of purpose. I’ve always believed data science and AI can solve real-world problems.
During my PhD, setbacks like failed experiments, tight funding, and endless debugging were tough, but I stayed motivated by the bigger picture. I knew my fraud detection work could help protect people’s savings, and seeing it deployed in Africa’s financial sector to reduce identity theft was a huge motivator.
Small wins mattered too. A national research grant during my PhD validated my efforts and pushed me further. Additionally, I’ve been lucky to have mentors, peers, and family who believed in me. Their encouragement during rough patches made a big difference.
Ultimately, I’d say it was the combination of passion and support, an inner drive to solve meaningful problems and the external encouragement from those who invested in me, that kept me resilient and motivated when things got tough. Every challenge I overcame reinforced my resolve to keep going.
CA: Amazing! How has your background and experience shaped the way you handle challenges in your work today?
Okunola: My background, spanning academic research and industry, shaped how I solve problems. Academia taught me to think deeply and methodically: break problems down, form hypotheses, analyze data, and test solutions.
Years of research and lecturing up to master’s level trained me not to settle for surface answers.
In industry, I learned to focus on impact. While leading biometric authentication at Prembly, I had to balance cutting-edge research with real-world usability.
The result? A multi-modal biometric solution that boosted accuracy, cut fraud, and was practical enough for major institutions to adopt.
That blend of depth and practicality is how I approach every challenge, thinking rigorously, but always aiming for results that matter.
CA: Wow! And now, you’ve become a mentor and guide for many aspiring data scientists and analysts. How does it feel knowing that your journey and coaching are helping shape the next generation of data professionals?
Okunola: It’s fulfilling and humbling to see my journey come full circle. Mentoring and teaching remain some of the most rewarding parts of my career. Every time I guide an aspiring data scientist, whether a student, junior colleague, or mentee, I see a reflection of my younger self.
I’ve mentored many individuals, supervised numerous student projects, and watched with pride as they grew into confident professionals. Some even produced publishable research under my supervision. I was recently named among ADPlist’s top 10% data science mentors globally, an incredible honor.
What makes it special is knowing I’ve played a small part in their journey. It reminds me of the mentors who shaped mine, and I’m grateful to pay that forward. When a mentee says my advice helped them land a job or solve a problem, it reinforces my purpose. It also pushes me to keep growing, to stay worthy of their trust.
Their wins energize me. It’s a joyful responsibility, and the impact multiplies as they go on to mentor others, creating a ripple effect in the data science community.
CA: Inspiring: Beyond your work in academia and data, you’ve also built a strong online presence as a digital creator. What inspired you to share both your professional and personal passions with a wider audience?
Okunola: Honestly, my inspiration to build an online presence came from a desire to share knowledge and tell stories. I realized my work, research insights, industry lessons, and personal growth, could help others if shared openly.
So I started creating content to break down complex topics like data science, AI, and fraud analytics into relatable insights. I contribute to my company’s tech blog and reports, translating our work into accessible stories.
Beyond tech, I share personal experiences, overcoming self-doubt, balancing work and family, and my love for digital innovation, to show that data professionals are more than their work. It helps me connect on a human level.
Ultimately, it’s about impact. If my story inspires someone to start coding or solve a problem, it’s worth it. As someone from an underrepresented background in tech, I also wanted to be visible, to show others it’s possible. The feedback and connections I’ve made keep me motivated to share authentically.
CA: Looking ahead, what’s next for you in your career? Are there any exciting projects or milestones you’re looking forward to?
Okunola: I’m excited about the road ahead, with several major projects and goals. Technologically, I’m eager to scale innovations like the multi-modal biometric authentication system I helped develop, which is currently being patented.
I hope to see it widely adopted by financial institutions to improve security. I’m also leading efforts at Prembly to advance our fraud detection platform using AI to combat emerging threats like synthetic identity fraud, which I recently researched.
In academia, I plan to expand my role as educator and researcher by developing curricula that blend industry practices and collaborating across fields like healthcare and environmental science.
Interdisciplinary projects excite me because I believe breakthroughs in AI will come from them. I’m also working on authoring a book on fraud analytics and machine learning, sharing my decade of experience.
Finally, I’ll continue mentoring talent and aim to start an innovation hub or mentorship program. In short, I’ll keep pushing AI in fraud detection, sharing knowledge, and building solutions that make the world safer and smarter. The journey continues, and I’m eager for what’s next.
CA: What’s one common misconception about data science and Data analysis that you would like to correct for people who are curious about the field?
Okunola: One misconception I often hear is that you need to be a genius or have an advanced math degree to succeed in data science. That’s not true.
While math and programming basics are important, curiosity, persistence, and a willingness to learn matter much more. Most successful data scientists didn’t know it all from the start, they grew into the role over time, just like I did.
Another myth is that data analysis is just coding or making fancy charts. It’s really about asking the right questions, understanding the context, and turning data into actionable insights. A lot of time goes into cleaning data, understanding the problem, and working with stakeholders.
So don’t be intimidated by the buzzwords. Data science is a craft you learn by doing. With today’s resources, anyone interested can start contributing, no computer science degree required. The field needs diverse perspectives. In the end, it’s about passion, perseverance, and constant learning, not some innate genius.
CA: Finally, if you could give just one piece of advice to someone dreaming of making an impact in data science, analytics, or digital creation, what would it be?
Okunola: My one piece of advice: stay curious and never stop learning. Data science and digital innovation move fast, and curiosity is your greatest asset. With this mindset, challenges become growth opportunities instead of walls.
Every breakthrough in my journey came from exploring new ideas and not giving up when things got tough. Embrace being a lifelong student and find joy in that.
Pair curiosity with resilience. Projects will fail, models won’t work, and ideas may flop. Don’t be discouraged, learn, adjust, and keep going.
Every expert started as a beginner who kept at it. If you want to make an impact, start small but start now, whether it’s a data project, a blog post, or a tech discussion group. Small steps add up.
Surround yourself with inspiring people, seek mentors, and remember your “why.” Whether it’s solving problems, innovating, or telling stories with data, let that passion fuel you. With curiosity, resilience, and purpose, you’ll be amazed how far you can go. Trust your journey and keep pushing. Good luck and enjoy the ride!
