How a Field Engineer’s Journey Spans Two Continents, Smart Displays, and Cloud Infrastructure
By Samad Toyin
Cloud & Network Security Engineer | Digital Infrastructure Specialist
LinkedIn • toyinsamadakanbi@gmail.com
Introduction
Smart cities don’t start in the cloud — they start on the ground.
From installing eye-tracking transparent LED screens inside Lagos buses to supporting secure enterprise systems in Manchester, my journey as a field and cloud engineer has taken me across industries, geographies, and technologies.
This story is about how hands-on IT work, often overlooked, forms the very foundation of digital transformation across Nigeria and the UK.
The Nigerian Chapter: Innovation on the Move
At FlinkTeshnik Concept Limited, I worked on a truly unique advertising solution: Treephub Transparent LED Displays.
These are high-definition transparent LED panels mounted in commercial buses and public venues like Lagos Airport. They’re integrated with eye-tracking software that monitors passenger attention and provides real-time engagement data for advertisers.
What We Achieved:
Installed and maintained 100+ transparent LED systems in Lagos and Abuja
Enabled data-driven advertising with live gaze-tracking
Delivered 99% uptime for in-motion display units despite rough urban terrain
Expanded to retail stores and airports, blending digital signage with the environment
This was more than advertising — it was infrastructure. Public-facing IoT before the term went mainstream in Nigeria.
The UK Chapter: Securing and Supporting Enterprise IT
Today, as a Senior Field Services Engineer at Sky Systems UK, I manage IT infrastructure for over 100 users across Greater Manchester.
This includes:
Resolving 2nd-line technical issues with a 95% first-time fix rate
Managing the Windows 11 migration project with zero user downtime
Supporting Microsoft 365, Teams, remote desktop setups, and business-critical apps
Leading an inventory and hardware procurement program for site operations
Building a knowledge-sharing system that improved team efficiency and response time
This role blends on-site engineering with strategic IT support, and my Nigerian experience has given me a unique edge in troubleshooting, adaptability, and people-focused service.
Tools & Platforms I Work With
🧰 Hardware & Infrastructure
Routers, switches, firewalls (Cisco, HP, Dell, Lenovo)
Laptops, servers, printers, and digital signage setups
☁️ Cloud & DevOps
AWS, Microsoft Azure
CI/CD, Ansible, Jenkins, Nagios, VMware, Docker
Windows/Linux/Mac environments
🛠️ Remote Tools & Support Systems
Jira, Zendesk, Helix
RDP, TeamViewer, AnyDesk
Microsoft Teams & Office Suite
Credentials at a Glance
🎓 Education
MSc. Cloud and Network Security – Distinction (University of Bolton)
BSc. Computer Science – 2:1 (Kwara State University)
🎯 Certifications
ISC² Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
AWS Cloud Practitioner
Google IT Support Professional
Vulnerability Management Detection & Response
Cisco IoT Fundamentals
👨💻 Professional Memberships
(ISC)², IAENG, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), NACOSS
Key Lessons from Both Worlds
Context Matters.
In Nigeria, resilience is key. In the UK, compliance and user experience are central. Both shape better engineers.Hands-On is Underrated.
Smart city tech only works when installed, configured, and maintained by real people who know the ground realities.User Empathy Is a Superpower.
Whether resolving an urgent ticket or training a client, putting the user first creates lasting impact.Documentation Changes Everything.
Sharing knowledge transforms teams, scales expertise, and saves hours of troubleshooting.
What’s Next?
I’m passionate about projects that intersect infrastructure, innovation, and inclusion — from deploying smart technologies to mentoring new tech talent.
I’m open to:
Collaborating on smart infrastructure or cloud deployments
Leading field ops in public sector digitization or retail tech
Mentoring aspiring Nigerian/UK-based IT professionals
📩 Contact: toyinsamadakanbi@gmail.com
🔗 Let’s connect on LinkedIn
Final Thoughts
Technology doesn’t move cities forward — people do. Especially those who install the screens, fix the routers, and secure the cloud.
From LED buses in Lagos to secure systems in Manchester, I’ve learned that innovation isn’t just about the tools — it’s about how and where we use them.
Let’s keep building — locally, globally, and everywhere in between.
#SmartCities #ITSupport #FieldEngineering #DigitalTransformation #NigeriaTech #UKTech #CloudSecurity #DevOps #IoT #LEDDisplays #Treephub #Cybersecurity #MediumTechBlog
