Request for Feedback on Global Talent Visa Application – Exceptional Promise Route

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Dear Tech Nation Alumni Forum,

I hope you are doing well.

I am currently in the process of applying for the UK Global Talent Visa under the Exceptional Promise route in Digital Technology, and I would greatly appreciate your feedback on my application. Specifically, I am seeking your guidance on whether my evidence meets the necessary standards and how I can improve it to increase my chances of being endorsed.

Brief Profile:

My name is Owolabi Majekodunmi, and I am a Compensation & Benefits / Workforce Management Specialist at Artee Group (SPAR Nigeria), with over 10 years of experience in HR technology, AI-powered workforce management, and people analytics. I have worked in various leadership roles, including as a Senior Payroll Consultant at Mercans and Board Director at InternVerse, a tech startup focused on AI-driven HR solutions.

My expertise lies in digital transformation, AI integration, and the development of innovative HR solutions that drive organizational efficiency and employee engagement. I am seeking endorsement under the Global Talent Visa for Exceptional Promise in Digital Technology and would like to ensure my application is as robust as possible.

Recommendation Letters:

  1. Board Director at InternVerse – Focuses on AI-driven HR solutions and innovative leadership.
  2. Head of HR at SPAR (Artee Group) – Highlights my technical expertise in AI integration and workforce management.
  3. CEO at Aldric Mighty Solutions Ltd. – Emphasizes my entrepreneurial contributions to AI-powered automation in the power sector.

Evidence Breakdown:

Here is a summary of the evidence I have submitted for both mandatory and optional criteria.

Mandatory Criteria: Recognition as a Leading Talent in Digital Technology

  1. Evidence 1: WMS Innovation Project (AnnexA_WMS_Innovation.pdf)
  • Explanation : This document highlights my leadership in the development of a Workforce Management System (WMS), which significantly improved payroll accuracy and compliance by automating HR processes. The measurable outcomes (e.g., 98% payroll accuracy, 40% reduction in scheduling time) demonstrate the innovative nature and impact of the project. This evidence reflects my recognition as a leading talent in the field of HR technology and AI-driven solutions.
  • Request for Feedback : Does this evidence sufficiently demonstrate my leadership in digital technology and innovation?
  1. Evidence 2: Fortune 500 Payroll Transformation Project (AnnexE_Fortune500_Projects.pdf)
  • Explanation : This document illustrates my role in digital payroll transformation for Fortune 500 clients like Henkel/Ceridian. I designed automated payroll frameworks that integrated with multi-country compliance systems. This work highlights my ability to lead complex digital transformations that have a global impact.
  • Request for Feedback : Does this evidence clearly establish my global recognition and leadership in AI and HR technology?

Optional Criteria:

1. Proven Record for Innovation in Digital Technology

  1. Evidence 1: InternVerse Tech Startup (Evidence 5.pdf)
  • Explanation : As a Board Director at InternVerse, I led the creation of AI-driven talent analytics that improved the talent matching process for startups and students by 30%. This innovative solution is an example of how I have contributed to the HR tech space, demonstrating my entrepreneurial innovation and leadership in AI-powered solutions.
  • Request for Feedback : Does this evidence clearly highlight my innovation and leadership in HR technology?
  1. Evidence 2: Pension and HR Reporting Automation (AnnexD_PensionAutomation.pdf)
  • Explanation : This document demonstrates my innovation in automating HR processes, particularly in pension and HR reporting. The solution reduced manual errors by 80% and streamlined reporting cycles, showcasing my ability to drive efficiency and automation within HR tech.
  • Request for Feedback : Does this document effectively showcase my innovation in HR automation?

2. Recognition Beyond Employment

  1. Evidence 1: Community Engagement & Mentorship (Evidence 8.docx)
  • Explanation : This evidence highlights my mentorship efforts, including my work with RCCG, UNILAG, and Ilupeju Senior Grammar School. I have mentored over 50 young professionals in HR technology and workforce development. Additionally, my role as an Application Reader for YALI underscores my global recognition in the HR tech and leadership development space.
  • Request for Feedback : Does this evidence effectively demonstrate my recognition beyond employment and my global leadership?
  1. Evidence 2: YALI Fellowship (YALI snapshot)
  • Explanation : This document provides proof of my involvement as an Application Reader for the Mandela Washington Fellowship (YALI), where I contributed to the development of young leaders in HR technology. The recognition from YALI further establishes my international influence.
  • Request for Feedback : Does this evidence reinforce my global recognition and contribution to the advancement of HR tech?

3. Significant Technical, Commercial, or Entrepreneurial Contributions

  1. Evidence 1: Commercial Impact (AnnexB_CommercialImpact.pdf)
  • Explanation : This document demonstrates my commercial leadership in optimizing payroll and workforce processes at Artee Group. By managing ₦130M payroll and identifying ₦5.88M in savings, I drove substantial financial impact while implementing AI-powered solutions.
  • Request for Feedback : Does this evidence effectively demonstrate my commercial contributions and technical leadership?
  1. Evidence 2: InternVerse Tech Startup (Evidence 5.pdf)
  • Explanation : This evidence also showcases my entrepreneurial contributions as a Board Director at InternVerse, where I led innovations in AI-driven recruitment and talent matching, significantly impacting the HR technology ecosystem.
  • Request for Feedback : Does this evidence adequately showcase my entrepreneurial contributions and leadership in HR tech?

4. Exceptional Ability Through Research

  1. Evidence 1: PhD Offers & Supervisors’ Endorsements (AnnexC_UK_PhD_Offers.pdf)
  • Explanation : This evidence provides endorsements from academic supervisors and PhD offers from UK universities. It confirms my exceptional ability in HR technology, AI, and digital transformation through ongoing research in People Analytics.
  • Request for Feedback : Does this evidence sufficiently demonstrate my exceptional ability and research potential in HR tech and AI?
  1. Evidence 2: Published Research or Endorsement Letters (if available)
  • Explanation : If applicable, this evidence will include any published research or endorsements from academics in HR technology or AI. These publications validate my contributions to the academic field and support my research excellence.
  • Request for Feedback : Does this evidence adequately demonstrate my research contributions and academic standing?

Request for Feedback:

  1. **Do you think my application sufficiently demonstrates my eligibility for the Exceptional Promise route? Are there any areas I can strengthen, particularly with regard to the mandatory and optional criteria?
  2. **Do my recommendation letters adequately highlight my leadership, innovation, and recognition in the field of digital technology? Are there any specific aspects I should emphasize further?
  3. **Does the evidence I have submitted cover all the mandatory and optional criteria sufficiently? Are there any additional documents or improvements you would suggest to strengthen my application?
  4. **Based on the provided documents, do you have any specific recommendations for improving my application, including formatting, content, or evidence presentation?

Conclusion:

Your constructive feedback will be invaluable as I prepare to submit my Global Talent Visa application. I greatly appreciate your time and insights.

Thank you in advance for your help!

Best regards,
Owolabi Majekodunmi
owomajeks@gmail.com, +2348069331042

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Hi @olaniyi_akanji

Is your second recommender expert in digital sector? Is he qualified? Head of hr seems not eligible to me?

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Your profile shows strong HR tech experience, but I see three critical issues that will likely lead to rejection based on recent patterns I’ve reviewed.

First, your Head of HR recommender isn’t qualified for this visa. Tech Nation requires recommenders who are recognized experts in digital technology, not general HR leadership. I’ve seen multiple rejections where assessors specifically flagged HR managers as ineligible recommenders. Your Board Director at InternVerse and the CEO are better positioned, but you need a third recommender from the digital technology sector who can speak to your technical innovation.

Second, your companies don’t qualify as product-led digital technology companies. SPAR Nigeria is a retail business, and Mercans is a consulting/services firm providing payroll solutions to clients. Tech Nation explicitly rejects consulting and IT services companies since the September 2025 updates. Your evidence from these roles won’t count toward Optional Criteria 1 or 3. Focus your application entirely on InternVerse if it’s genuinely building AI products, not providing consulting services.

Third, you’re conflating operational efficiency with sector-wide innovation. Improving payroll accuracy at your employer or automating pension reporting are internal improvements, not field-advancing contributions. I’ve reviewed dozens of rejections where assessors stated that fulfilling employment requirements doesn’t establish exceptional talent. You must show how your work impacted the broader HR tech industry beyond your immediate employer. Did other companies adopt your methods? Was your innovation published or presented at industry conferences? Without external recognition, your evidence won’t meet the mandatory criteria.

Your PhD offers are interesting but risky. Recent rejections note that academic research roles are “not typical for an ET awardee due to little experience in digital technology.” Unless you can show how your research has been adopted in commercial products or cited by industry practitioners, this evidence might work against you by positioning you as an academic rather than a digital technology practitioner.