Innovation and resilience are the defining traits of any successful entrepreneur. Tunji Durodola, the visionary Founder of Urban ID Global, has spent decades pushing the boundaries of technology, transforming challenges into opportunities. From coding on early programmable calculators in the 1970s to leading advancements in identity management, his journey reflects a relentless pursuit of progress. His experiences underscore the power of self-belief, perseverance, and innovation in navigating an ever-evolving industry. Through this conversation, we explore his motivations, challenges, and insights into the future of technology.
Every entrepreneur has a unique journey marked by defining moments, failures, and triumphs. Tunji’s path has been shaped by his ability to identify gaps where others see none, proving that setbacks are merely stepping stones toward greater breakthroughs. His passion for mentorship, ethical technological advancement, and continuous learning makes him an inspiring figure in the industry.
The Defining Moment
Every founder has a defining moment that sets them on their path. For Tunji, the journey began with an innate passion for innovation. As an “ideas man,” he started coding in high school in the 1970s, experimenting with the Casio FX1, the Psion Organizer II and the Sinclair Cambridge Programmable between 1977 and 1989. “From those early days, creativity and technology became central to my aspirations. My vision was to fill the gaps in industries that overlooked the power of digital transformation. Urban ID Global was later founded with a mission to revolutionize identity management and provide secure, efficient solutions in a world increasingly reliant on digital systems.”
Overcoming Early Challenges
Building a company comes with inevitable obstacles, and for Tunji, one of the toughest challenges was entering markets dominated by industry giants. As an underdog, he often found himself underestimated. However, a defining moment in 1993 reshaped his perspective when he heard a powerful statement about self-belief. From then on, he adopted a mindset that thrived on proving naysayers wrong. One of his guiding phrases became, “It’s unrealistic”—a challenge he gladly accepted as fuel for innovation.
Staying Ahead in a Fast-Evolving Space Innovation demands the ability to recognize opportunities where others see none. Tunji firmly believes that the key to staying ahead in technology is to challenge the status quo. He views rejection as nothing more than a rearrangement of letters. “NO simply means that failure is “Not Optional.” My approach involves constantly identifying gaps in the market and transforming them into opportunities. Whether it’s through blockchain, artificial intelligence, or the next big leap, I remain committed to staying ahead of the curve.”
Fostering a Culture of Creativity and Resilience
As a leader, Tunji prioritizes mentorship and motivation, especially among young professionals. He understands that talent thrives in an environment where individuals are empowered to believe in their abilities. By recognizing strengths and harnessing potential, he cultivates a culture of innovation and resilience. His leadership style is built on encouragement, ensuring that his team remains driven, adaptable, and prepared to tackle complex challenges in the ever-changing technological landscape.
Emerging Trends and Future
Positioning With rapid technological advancements shaping industries, Tunji remains keenly aware of the biggest trends driving change. A few years ago, blockchain dominated the conversation, but today, artificial intelligence is at the forefront. While these technologies continue to evolve, he believes that the next revolutionary shift will be the rise of quantum computing. Although it is still in its early stages, he anticipates its impact will be profound and, at times, even daunting. Urban ID Global is strategically positioning itself to embrace these advancements while ensuring that ethical considerations remain central to technological progress.
Learning from Failure
Every entrepreneur encounters setbacks, and Tunji’s journey is no exception. One significant experience involved the development of an application that, in hindsight, could have been an early form of social media. However, timing proved to be a critical factor. Just two weeks after launching, WhatsApp entered the market, reshaping digital communication. Similarly, his team developed a push email solution for Symbian phone users, only to be overshadowed by Research in Motion’s dominance with BlackBerry. “While these experiences were initially disappointing, they served as valuable lessons for me. Rather than dwelling on setbacks, I redirected my focus towards identity management—an area where my innovations have since flourished.”
Balancing Innovation and Ethics
With great innovation comes great responsibility. Tunji recognizes the ethical challenges that accompany techno logical advancements, particularly in the realm of data privacy. While profitability is a crucial aspect of any business, he firmly believes that it should never come at the cost of ethical integrity. In an era where personal data is highly vulnerable, his approach prioritizes security, transparency, and responsible innovation. He challenges the prevailing notion that greed must drive technological growth, advocating instead for a balance between progress and ethical accountability.
Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
For those looking to follow in his footsteps, Tunji emphasizes three core principles: endurance, perseverance, and adaptability. He advises aspiring entrepreneurs, “Focus on true innovation rather than replicating existing solutions. By carving out a unique niche, you can create your own paths and push beyond conventional limitations. Success is not about conforming to trends but about pioneering new directions and solving problems in unprecedented ways.”
Personal Inspirations and Motivations
Beyond work, Tunji finds inspiration in history, music, and personal reflection. He is deeply fascinated by world events and the rise and fall of great empires, particularly the Roman Empire. Studying historical successes and failures provides him with valuable insights into leadership and strategic thinking.
“Music is another integral part of my life. An avid audio-phile since high school, I had an appreciation for instrumental and electronic music, with artists like Tangerine Dream, Jean-Michel Jarre, and Schiller among my favorites.” When seeking moments of introspection and meditation, he turns to classical music, allowing it to provide balance and clarity amidst the demands of innovation and leadership.
Tunji’s journey exemplifies the power of resilience, creativity, and strategic foresight. From his early passion for coding to leading groundbreaking innovations in identity management, he has remained steadfast in his pursuit of progress. His story is a testament to the fact that success is not solely defined by achievements but also by the lessons learned from failure. As technology continues to evolve, Tunji’s vision for Urban ID Global remains firmly rooted in ethical innovation, mentorship, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
The Role of Identity Management in the Digital Age
Identity management has become a critical component of digital security, enabling seamless authentication and fraud prevention. As the founder of Urban ID Global, Tunji understands the evolving threats and the need for robust solutions. His work emphasizes the balance between convenience and privacy, ensuring that technological advancements align with ethical data protection practices.
In a world where cyber threats are increasingly sophisticated, identity management must be proactive rather than reactive. Tunji advocates for innovative approaches that integrate AI, blockchain, and biometrics to enhance security while maintaining user trust. His vision is to build a future where identity remains uncompromised.
Noteworthy Achievements and Contributions
Tunji cumulates two decades of experience in trusted identity management, cryptography, system design, and electronic payments. His international standards contributions and leadership in pioneering projects are forging the future of digital identity solutions throughout the world. Here is a brief view of Tunji’s achievements, his contributions, and his various initiatives:
Digital Identity & PKI
- Extensive experience in the implementation of National Public Key Infrastructures (PKIs) across Africa and consultancy for eIDAS-compliant PKIs in Europe.
- Proficient in Certificate Lifecycle Management, CSCA & DSC integration, and ensuring ICAO VDS 2.0 compliance.
- In-depth expertise with OCSP responders, CRLs, Smartcard personalization using APDU scripting, and HSM integration (Utimaco, YubiHSM).
Smartcards & Passport Systems
- Over a decade of hands-on experience integrating ICAO-compliant biometric passports and national ID card systems.
- Developed software and middleware stacks for Passport and ID Card issuance, including integration of MRZ, RFID, and biometric data.
Tokenization & Intellectual Property
- Inventor of a patented User Consent & Identity Tokenization architecture for anonymized, revocable identity issuance.
- Developed the MasterCode / Top-Level Credential System, which enables AI-driven fraud detection and supports pseudonymous identity management.
GVCP, PCDSS & Payments Security
- Integrated MasterCard’s Government-to-Citizen Payment system for secure ePayments linked to National ID. Also supervised annual GVCP compliance audits.
- Designed an interoperability layer between digital wallets and central banks to ensure seamless payment processing and digital identity verification.
System Integration & Architecture
- Consultant for National ID & Civil Registry Systems in several countries, assisting in building and enhancing large-scale, secure national identity infrastructures.
- Expertise in designing high-performance computing environments utilizing PostgreSQ powered and optimized by NVIDIA GPUs for data-intensive applications.
- Architect of Vault-based secrets management, Consul service mesh, and HAProxy load balancing for secure and scalable distributed systems.
Contributions to International Organizations
- Active Technical Working Group Leads with the Secure Identity Alliance (SIA).
- Contributor to OSIA (Open Standards Identity API) and other global identity standards to enhance interoperability and security in digital identity ecosystems.
Speaking Engagements at Conferences
- Denmark – INTERGRAF
- Singapore – Fintech & Digital Identity Workshops and Secure Document World
- France – Trustech / Cartes Secure Connexions
- UAE – GITEX, Digital ID Forums
- Germany – eID Standards Summits in Munich, Berlin, and Gelsenkirchen
- Latvia – X-Infotech Identity Symposiums in Riga and Jurmala
- Nigeria – NIMC Roadshows and National ID Aware ness Forums
Software Development & Technical Stack
- Expertise in NodeJS, PERL, Python, and BASH scripting for building secure, scalable solutions.
- Extensive experience with PostgreSQL, Percona MySQL, DSE Cassandra, and MinIO for secure object storage and high-performance databases.
- Proficient in deployment on Raspberry Pi clusters and bare-metal GPU-powered systems for optimized performance.
- Knowledgeable in cryptographic standards including RSA 4096, and emerging Post-Quantum Algorithms such as Kyber and Dilithium.
- Expertise in interoperability protocols like DIDComm, OIDC4VC, OpenID Connect, eIDAS, and ICAO LDS for seamless and secure digital identity management.
Current Projects & Initiatives
- Leading the development of a secure credential issuance and digital privacy platform for the EU Market through pocketOne OÜ (Estonia).
- Serving as the Chair of the UIN Tokenization Working Group at the SIA, focusing on defining anonymized identity standards for digital interactions.
- Integrating AI into Digital Identity research by utilizing GPUs and synthetic datasets to identify fraud and validate identity linkage for R&D purpose.
The Entrepreneurial Mindset: Lessons from Experience
Success in entrepreneurship is not just about having great ideas; it’s about execution, adaptability, and resilience. Tunji’s journey is a testament to this principle. He believes that failure is a natural part of innovation, serving as a stepping stone to breakthroughs. His experience navigating competitive industries, overcoming skepticism, and pioneering new solutions highlights the importance of perseverance.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, Tunji emphasizes the need to think beyond conventional models, challenge limitations, and focus on originality. By fostering a mindset of continuous learning and calculated risk-taking, he inspires the next generation to carve their own unique paths in business.
