Azeez Razaq Adewale, an alumnus of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), has been presented with an award in recognition of his contributions to computing education, research, innovation and professional practice. The award was presented by the School of Computing’s Annual Lecture Committee during FUTA’s 2nd Annual Lecture and 1st International Conference on Emerging Computing Applications and Technologies, held on 15-16 July 2026 at the Obafemi Awolowo Auditorium. From Akure to Gothenburg to LondonThe path from a B.Tech in Agricultural Technology at FUTA to the leadership of an international cybersecurity firm is not a conventional one. Hexaguard as conference partnerBeyond the individual recognition, the conference flyer confirms Hexaguard Limited as one of five official institutional partners of FUTA’s first international computing conference, alongside RiseNetworks, PrunEdge, Vesti, and Future Academy Africa. The partnership signals a deepening relationship between Nigerian academia and homegrown technology companies, building on the foundation laid by institutions like FUTA.