By Rita Okoye
As nations across the world seek answers to growing environmental, climate, and development challenges, Nigerian geospatial professional Ayomide Daniel Akinyemi emerges as a bold and strategic voice. Long before arriving in the United States, Ayomide had already made significant contributions in the field of geographic information systems (GIS), using data as a driver for policy, planning, and inclusive development.
Ayomide’s foundation in urban and regional planning was laid at the University of Lagos, where he earned both B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees, distinguished by his early focus on applying spatial data in real-world contexts. His leadership in student associations and participation in research collaborations established him as an academic force—one with a deep understanding of how local challenges require spatially aware solutions.
By the time he joined Ottoman Turk Nigeria Ltd., Ayomide was already a skilled analyst and team lead. As Project Manager, he directed a cross-functional GIS team that digitized over 220,000 acres of land across four geopolitical zones. The project involved not just land mapping, but also field data collection, community engagement, and policy-level reporting, reflecting Ayomide’s unique ability to bridge the gap between grassroots data and high-level planning.
Among his most impactful innovations was the design and deployment of a custom geocoding platform using ODK Collect, which streamlined rural property documentation and brought underserved regions into the planning conversation. “We were finally able to map out neglected communities with precision,” Ayomide recalled. “That level of visibility can transform how governments allocate resources.”
His growing expertise in ArcGIS, Python, SQL, AutoCAD, and remote sensing equipped him to lead technical aspects of several urban infrastructure and land-use optimization projects. Even prior to 2023, Ayomide had earned the reputation of a data-driven planner with visionary execution—well before his journey to the United States began.
In 2022, Ayomide further broadened his international experience as a Research Intern in Atlanta, Georgia, working with The Partnership for Inclusive Innovation (PIN). There, he co-developed an Environmental Justice screening map integrating multiple environmental hazard indicators such as RSEI, air and water emissions, and land release data. The map became a cornerstone tool for community-based planning and policymaking.
Currently, Ayomide is based in the U.S., where he has pursued dual Master’s degrees in Sustainability and Business Administration at Eastern Illinois University, supported by distinctions such as the Li Zhang Memorial Scholarship and a Student Assistantship Award at the Esri User Conference—the largest geospatial conference in the world. His work has continued at Prairie Engineers, where he contributes to NEPA compliance, dam and creek revitalization, drainage system analysis, and hydrological modeling.
Yet, what distinguishes Ayomide is not just his technical fluency—it’s his clarity of vision. “I’ve always believed maps are more than tools—they are stories waiting to be told,” he says. “My mission is to use geospatial intelligence to drive sustainable change, especially in underserved communities.”
From Lagos to Atlanta, and now across the U.S. Midwest, Ayomide D.Akinyemi is shaping the future of geospatial technology as a catalyst for climate resilience, inclusive development, and equitable planning. His story is not just one of global mobility—but of local impact, intellectual rigor, and an unwavering commitment to transformation through data.