Microsoft has announced the appointment of Olatomiwa Williams as Chief Growth and Artificial Intelligence Officer for its Middle East and Africa Growth Markets, marking a significant milestone in her distinguished career with the company. The announcement was made alongside a leadership transition that sees Abideen Yusuf stepping in as Country Manager for Microsoft Nigeria and Ghana.
Williams, who has served as Country General Manager for Microsoft Nigeria and Ghana for the past four years, described her tenure as a transformative journey shaped by innovation, resilience, and impact. In a message shared via LinkedIn, she expressed gratitude for the support of her team and partners across both countries, celebrating the collective achievements made under her leadership.
YOU CAN ALSO READ: What’s Going on With education in Nigeria
“Leading this team has been a unique experience, shaped by innovation, resilience, and a collective commitment to empowering every person and organisation to achieve more,” Williams wrote. “Together, we have achieved tremendous growth, created lasting impact, and built a legacy of innovation and collaboration across Nigeria and Ghana.”
Williams joined Microsoft in 2010 and was appointed Country Manager in 2021. In her new role, she will be responsible for driving AI and growth strategy across key emerging markets in the Middle East and Africa region. She holds a degree in Computer Science from the Federal Polytechnic Offa and an MBA from the University of Liverpool.
Stepping into her previous role, Abideen Yusuf has been appointed General Manager for Microsoft Nigeria and Ghana. Yusuf previously served as Director of Enterprise Business (Commercial and Public Sector) and has played a central role in Microsoft’s regional success. He brings to the position a wealth of experience and a strong vision for the future.
“I look forward to deepening our engagement with local communities, empowering the next generation of leaders, and championing initiatives that drive positive change in Nigeria and across the MCC region,” Yusuf said.
Yusuf joined Microsoft in 2017. He holds a degree in Computer Science from Olabisi Onabanjo University and a master’s degree from Heriot-Watt University.
YOU CAN ALSO READ: From Dropout to Digital Visionary: How Ayọ̀wándé Adálémọ Is Building Africa’s Largest Public Wi-Fi Network
The leadership changes are part of a broader organisational shift within Microsoft’s regional operations. Mirna Arif, General Manager of Microsoft Egypt since 2020, has been appointed to lead the Middle East and Africa Growth Markets, while Lillian Barnard, formerly head of Microsoft Africa, will now lead Enterprise Partner Solutions for the Middle East and Africa.
“As we expand our investments in AI and digital infrastructure, our goal is to empower partners to achieve unprecedented progress across the region in the era of AI,” Barnard said.
The leadership appointments signal Microsoft’s commitment to deepening its impact across the region through innovation, AI adoption, and digital transformation.
