Olatubosun Ayuba Salami, a business analyst with experience in finance, economics and technology, is making the case for stronger alignment between business leaders and technology teams.
With more than three years of professional practice in the technology sector and an MBA in Economics and Finance from Marmara University in Turkey, he says the role of a business analyst is not optional but essential for organisations seeking digital transformation.
Salami highlights a persistent challenge in many organisations: the communication gap between business executives and technology teams. Executives often have a clear vision of the outcomes they want, but lack awareness of the technical complexity involved. Developers, on the other hand, may deliver technically sound systems that fail to reflect wider organisational goals.
“The gap between vision and execution is where the business analyst comes in,” Salami said. “Without someone to translate and align both sides, projects risk losing resources, missing deadlines and failing to deliver results.”
He adds that the gap is often wider in developing countries like Nigeria, where the role of business analysts is still underestimated. Many organisations assume that either executives or developers can manage requirements independently, but the result is projects without clear objectives, products that do not meet user needs and businesses losing money and credibility.
Salami’s work focuses on identifying business needs, translating them into technical requirements, and ensuring that stakeholders remain aligned throughout the project lifecycle. His academic training has also provided him with the financial knowledge to evaluate projects not only from a technical perspective but also in terms of long-term business sustainability.
Salami argues that recognising the importance of the business analyst is a survival strategy for organisations in today’s economy. He stresses that adopting technology without aligning it to business needs is costly and often ineffective.
“Companies that understand the importance of bridging the business and technology divide will build solutions that are functional, scalable and sustainable,” he said. “It is not enough to invest in new tools or develop ambitious strategies. What matters is how both are connected.”
His views come at a time when conversations on artificial intelligence, automation and digital-first models are growing across industries. Salami insists that without the role of the business analyst, even the most advanced systems risk falling short of expectations.
He believes that business analysts should be seen not as requirement gatherers but as strategic partners who shape projects and influence outcomes. In his view, the digital economy depends not only on technical expertise or strong leadership but on the ability to merge both in ways that are coherent and practical.
Beyond his daily work, he has been active in conversations on business analysis, user experience, digital transformation and the application of artificial intelligence in automating business processes. This engagement, he notes, has shaped his understanding of how modern enterprises can adopt technology without losing focus on customer and stakeholder needs.
As organisations in Nigeria and beyond continue to struggle with the demands of digital transformation, Salami’s perspective points to a central lesson: technology and business must speak the same language. Without that bridge, the promise of digital growth may be undermined by miscommunication, wasted resources and unmet expectations.
