Open Access Data Centres Gets New CEO

WIOCC’s Open Access Data Centres (OADC) has appointed Dr Ayotunde Coker as its new chief executive officer (CEO) with immediate effect.

Dr Coker, who will be based in Lagos, Nigeria, will lead OADC in its support and acceleration of Africa’s digital transformation by constructing and operating a pan-African network of Tier III certified data centre facilities as well as a unique core-to-edge open-access edge data centre ecosystem, made up of hyperscale, regional and OADC edge data centres.

Commenting on his appointment, Dr Coker said: “This is a dynamic period for businesses in Africa, with transformation driving the rapid expansion of the continent’s digital infrastructure. I am excited to be joining OADC, which is set to play a huge role in establishing and growing the pan-African digital infrastructure and cloud ecosystem that will underpin this expansion – supporting cloud operators, content providers, the wholesale community, and major enterprises in extending their reach and operations across the continent,”

Chris Wood, CEO of WIOCC Group said: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome Tunde as CEO of Open Access Data Centres at this critical period in the company’s development.

Dr Coker assumes the new role with 35 years of international experience across Europe, USA, Asia and Africa. For the last eight years he has served as CEO and Managing Director of Nigerian data centre provider, Rack Centre. Before, he worked as Managing Director and CEO of emerging markets payments, West Africa, at Rack Centre and before this as group CIO of Access Bank.

He also held previous roles in the UK including Ford, Cap Gemini, eMCSaatchi UK, Egg Bank, British Petroleum and the UK Ministry of Justice.

Additionally, Dr Coker is the current president of the Africa Data Centres Association and served as chair of the UK Government Enterprise Architecture Board.