Remi Dada (born 15 February 1986) is a Nigerian architect and entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of Spacefinish, which designs innovative workspaces and offices.

Remi Dada
Born (1986-02-15) 15 February 1986 (age 38)
Lagos State, Nigeria
EducationUniversity of Illinois
Howard University
Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
Occupation(s)Architect, entrepreneur, founder and CEO of Spacefinish
Years active2006-present
Known forGoogle Nigeria, YouTube Sub-Saharan Africa
SpouseAlice Temitope Omisore

Early life edit

Dada was born and raised in Lagos State, Nigeria, in the family of Dada Gbolahan. He attended St. Savior’s School, Ebute Metta, followed by Atlantic Hall Secondary School, both in Lagos. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in architectural studies from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.[1] He then obtained a master's degree in business administration from Howard University in Washington D.C.[2]

Career edit

Dada worked as an architect for the Illinois-based architectural firm Cordogan, Clark & Associates from 2006 until 2009, when he was recruited by NIA Architects in Chicago. He briefly worked with Chick Fil-A, where he redesigned the restaurant's space to transform the user experience.[2]

Google edit

In 2012, Dada moved back to Nigeria, where he was appointed the product marketing lead for Google.[2][1][3][4] During his time there, Dada and his team were tasked with tailoring Google products to the Nigerian/African market, localizing products such as Google Search and YouTube into Nigerian languages.[2] After attending a business management training at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, he became the B2C Product Marketing Head at YouTube for Sub-Saharan Africa, a position he held for over a year.[2]

Spacefinish edit

After leaving YouTube, Dada founded Spacefinish, which he registered in 2018 as a design/build company specializing in office interior architecture.[2] The company worked on the Vibranium Valley Project, commissioned by Ventures Garden Group. The project, which was inaugurated by the Vice-President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbanjo,[5] has been described as the largest tech hub in sub-Saharan Africa.[6]

Spacefinish designed and re-designed office spaces for major corporations in Nigeria, including Google Nigeria, Andela, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Sterling Bank and RenMoney.[7]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Move Back To Nigeria: To Learn How a Lion Hunts, You Go to the Jungle, Not the Zoo! Remi Dada Talks About Taking the Plunge & Moving Back". bellanaija.com. Movebacktonigeria. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "This ex-Googler is responsible for designing some of the coolest Nigerian office spaces you know". techpoint.africa. Tech Point Africa. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  3. ^ "Meet Remi Dada, very talented Nigerian man who works with YouTube Africa". naij.com. Chinma Ihenacho. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  4. ^ "2015 Konga Seller Summit: Top business leaders attend event". pulse.ng. Folarin Okunola. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  5. ^ "Spacefinish Set to Bring Office Spaces of the Future to Africa". nigeriacommunicationsweek.com. Ugo Onwuaso. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  6. ^ "Reinventing Work Environment Will Boost Productivity – Firm". sundiatapost.com. Chiazo Ogbolu. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  7. ^ "Osinbajo inaugurates Spacefinish tech hub and office spaces in Lagos". itpulse.com.ng. IT Pulse. Retrieved 20 September 2018.