Kenneth Igiri is a distinguished and thorough professional in the field of Enterprise Architecture, a TOGAF-certified practitioner, and a passionate mentor whose career and life serve as a beacon of inspiration. With a strong foundation in technology and business processes, Kenneth has built a reputation as an innovative leader committed to excellence, mentorship, and impactful contributions to other people’s lives.
For the couple of years that I have known and carefully followed him (directly and indirectly), his life has revolved (and still revolving) around helping those around him become the best version of themselves, having clarity of purpose in all they do. He does this through His Interactive Ideation Session (IIS) where he takes you through a thought-provoking questioning process to help anyone articulate their next move on any aspect of life, career and business. Using strategy tools and techniques, Kenneth works with you to realise the value of structured thinking before doing anything in real life.
He is the Founder of The Strategy Club (TSC – tscafrica.com), a group where he mentors and coaches close to 150 emerging entrepreneurs – early-stage entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs in Africa’s consumer goods industry with the best practices in the corporate sector (non-profit), to accelerate growth using digital technology, strategy tools and time-based techniques along with other mind-blowing incentives. In TSC, members are constantly encouraged and motivated to advertise their businesses – #locallymade products and services and their careers, enable referrals, share opportunities and healthy competitions among themselves. It gives me much joy to feature Kenneth.
His Dad, Family Background, Early Life and Growing Up
Kenneth Igiri was born into a family that emphasised the importance of education, integrity, and discipline. From an early age, he used to draw (as an artist) and later started writing poems as a teenager. Kenneth later displayed a keen interest in technology, problem-solving, and strategy. Growing up, he often sought ways to understand how systems worked, laying the foundation for his later career in Enterprise Architecture. His family provided an environment rich in support and motivation, fostering his early curiosity and ambition.
He was born in Igbere, Abia State, Nigeria, to a polygamous family of about 16. He grew up in Lagos, after the first few years of his life in the village. According to him, those first few years in the village happened because his dad went back home to do a course at the University of Port Harcourt and to build his house too. His dad was a civil servant who worked with the Central Bank all through the time he knew him. He is the 5th child of his dad and the first of his mom.
Educational Background
Undoubtedly, Kenneth’s academic journey is a testament to his dedication to learning and professional growth. He holds a Master of Science in Enterprise Architecture, a qualification that underscores his expertise in aligning business goals with technological solutions. This advanced degree allowed him to delve deeper into the complexities of modern business systems, providing him with the tools to create sustainable and efficient architectural frameworks.
He graduated from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) as an Electrical/Electronic Engineering graduate.
Professional Career
Kenneth’s career spans several years of impactful work in technology and enterprise architecture, IT strategy, and business transformation. His roles have involved designing robust systems, optimising processes, and ensuring seamless integration of business objectives with technological capabilities.
He started working in IT in 2006 with stints in Wireless networks even before he finished schooling.
As a leader, I will say that Kenneth is known for his ability to identify inefficiencies and implement solutions that streamline operations and drive growth. His experience spans multiple industries, where he has successfully led teams and projects to achieve transformative and outstanding outcomes. His analytical mindset, combined with his collaborative approach has earned him accolades from peers and industry leaders alike.
He has worked with a couple of organisations so far in Wireless Networking, IT Service Management, and Database Management. Notable ones include Airtel Nigeria, Ecobank Group, and now the Mastercard Foundation.
As a Mentor and Role Model: His Impacts and Achievements
It is more than glaring that Kenneth’s influence extends beyond his professional expertise. As a mentor, he has played (and still playing) a crucial role in guiding young professionals, helping them navigate their careers and achieve their goals. He is particularly passionate about bridging the gap between technology and business, equipping the next generation with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the digital economy.
Kenneth’s achievements include the successful execution of enterprise-wide IT strategies, the development of scalable architectural solutions, and recognition for his innovative approaches to problem-solving. His ability to balance technical precision with strategic vision has made him a sought-after expert in his field.
In addition to his academic achievements, Kenneth is a TOGAF (The Open Group Architecture Framework) practitioner, a globally recognised certification in enterprise architecture. This credential highlights his mastery in designing and implementing enterprise systems that drive business success. His commitment to continuous learning is evident in his pursuit of certifications and knowledge to remain at the forefront of his field.
Some of his Key Initiatives include implementing hardening standards for cards’ databases as part of PCI-DSS6 Compliance, designing and implementing the consolidated Microsoft SQL Server clusters for Africa’s largest bank (by geographic footprint), leading the implementation of Orbus iServer Enterprise Architecture Tool in Africa’s largest bank (by geographic footprint), led consolidation of Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) platform across 8 francophone countries and managed the maturity of the Enterprise Architecture practice in a bank with a footprint in 33 African countries.
Lesser-Known Facts and Other Aspects of Kenneth
One of the lesser-known aspects of Kenneth’s life is his dedication to community service. He frequently participates in initiatives aimed at improving digital literacy and empowering underprivileged communities with technological tools. His belief in giving back is a testament to his character and values.
When not working with IT leaders, governance professionals and solution architects, Kenneth can be caught writing short stories or technical articles and blogs based on his rich experience and unusual imagination. Even though most of his years doing IT operations takes a lot of his time, he still manages to write stories over long periods. His first book was written in his teens but published in 2011. His work can be reviewed on Amazon.
Outside of his professional life, Kenneth is a devoted family man who values the importance of work-life balance. He comes from a family of people with amazing talents. Some draw, decorate spaces, dance, and sing, and in his case. He is happily married to a Ghanaian and blessed with three kids, aged 7, 5 and 3. He knows very little about ‘Twi’ although his wife desires for him to learn ‘Ewe’. He enjoys eating swallow. Just make the soup good and tasty. He prefers Oha with beef, Edikangikong with both fish and meat and Egusi with beef. He is a complete Nigerian man even though he resides in Ghana.
He is also an advocate for lifelong learning and often engages in reading, research, and collaborative projects to enhance his knowledge base. Learn more about Kenneth Igiri on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenigiri/
Even though he comes from a polygamous home, he had quite a lot of bonding with his family members during his growing years. At no point did they all live in the same house. It was just portions of them at different times. Most of them who grew up together still have very good relations.
Lessons that Shaped His Life
He has written about most of the lessons that shaped his life in his short book titled “If I Were to Live Again.” Here are some key takeaway points:
1. You will not use up to 10% of what you learnt in school.
2. We are not yet in Heaven, don’t expect people to act heavenly.
2. Focus is the first law of success.
3. Feed a child’s curiosity while you can still shape the child.
For such a leader whose resourcefulness, creativity, empathy, resilience, and impact cannot be reckoned with; a mentor, coach and role model who has been instrumental in the growth journey of about 150 impact-makers thriving in their businesses and careers, Kenneth Igiri stands out in society in rare aspects. He is a reputable icon and surely deserves all the accolades.
•I believe you are thrilled to read about Kenneth. I’d love to hear from you via Comment or email (vivianchikadaniel@gmail.com). Don’t hesitate to LIKE and SHARE with your networks and loved ones as well. See you in the next editions as I continue featuring famous personalities worthy enough to keep bearing the noble title of “Mentors and Role Models”. Blessings! Let’s live and let us love one another. #OneLove
