From port bottlenecks to cyberattacks, supply chain disruptions cost global trade trillions annually, threatening industries from healthcare to manufacturing. Bright Ojo, a Nigerian-born innovator and recent University of Arkansas graduate now based in the U.S., has launched SmartChain-SRM, a groundbreaking tool that harnesses artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology to predict and prevent these disruptions. Designed for industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and agriculture, SmartChain-SRM is set to redefine how businesses worldwide manage logistics risks, ensuring smoother operations in an era of unprecedented challenges.
The Global Supply Chain Crisis
Recent crises have exposed the fragility of supply chains. The 2021 Suez Canal blockage stranded $10 billion in goods daily, while semiconductor shortages from 2020-2022 crippled industries from automotive to electronics. Climate-driven events like hurricanes and floods add further pressure, underscoring the need for proactive solutions. “Supply chains are the backbone of global trade, yet they’re vulnerable to a cascade of risks,” Ojo told BusinessDay. “SmartChain-SRM addresses this gap, helping goods move efficiently even amid disruption.”
A New Era for Supply Chain Management
SmartChain-SRM (Supply Risk Management) integrates AI-driven predictive analytics with blockchain’s tamper-proof security to deliver real-time risk detection and mitigation. At its core is a UK-registered design (No. 6461161) for a secure IoT data gateway, ensuring data integrity across supply chain nodes like warehouses, ports, and distribution hubs.
Industry benchmarks suggest SmartChain-SRM can reduce shipment delays by up to 30%, cut operational downtime by 25%, and save mid-sized firms millions annually in penalties, spoilage, and lost productivity. Analysts emphasize that tools combining AI and blockchain are vital as supply chains face escalating pressures from climate events, geopolitical instability, and cyber threats.
“SmartChain-SRM isn’t just about tracking goods, it’s about anticipating and neutralizing risks before they derail operations,” Ojo said.
Mastering the AI-Blockchain Integration
Developing SmartChain-SRM required overcoming significant technical challenges. “Merging AI’s predictive power with blockchain’s security in a scalable, real-time system was a complex puzzle,” Ojo explained. “We needed to process massive data volumes from global supply chains while ensuring speed, security, and compatibility with existing systems.”
Ojo’s graduate research in supply chain optimization informed the platform’s multi-layered architecture. Its data acquisition module collects real-time inputs from IoT sensors (e.g., GPS trackers, temperature monitors), ERP systems like SAP and Oracle, and external feeds such as weather forecasts and geopolitical intelligence. The AI risk assessment engine employs machine learning to analyze this data, identifying patterns of potential disruptions, such as supplier delays, port congestion, or cybersecurity risks, and assigning risk scores. The blockchain layer, built on a permissioned ledger, ensures all transactions; from supplier contracts to shipment logs, are immutable and verifiable. Smart contracts automate responses, such as rerouting shipments or triggering compliance checks, minimizing delays and human error.
The Development Journey
Building SmartChain-SRM was an iterative process spanning years of research and testing. Ojo began conceptualizing the platform during his master’s at the University of Arkansas, where he explored AI-driven logistics solutions. “I spent countless hours analyzing supply chain failures, from the 2020 PPE shortages to the 2023 Red Sea disruptions,” he said. “The data showed that most issues could be predicted with the right tools.”
Ojo conducted multiple pilot phases, refining the platform’s algorithms to handle diverse datasets and ensuring the blockchain ledger could scale for high-volume transactions. Early challenges included optimizing the AI to process real-time IoT data without latency and integrating with legacy ERP systems used by global firms. “We ran simulations with real-world data to test the system’s accuracy,” Ojo noted. “Each iteration made SmartChain-SRM more robust, ready for industries with zero margin for error.”
Inside SmartChain-SRM
Speaking with Bright, he further explains how SmartChain-SRM operates and the thinking behind its creation.
Bright, what inspired you to create SmartChain-SRM?
The pandemic revealed just how quickly supply chains can collapse; hospitals ran out of supplies, factories stalled. I wanted a system that could not only predict disruptions but also ensure secure, transparent data sharing across borders, building trust among suppliers, manufacturers, and logistics providers.
Predicting disruptions sounds complex. How does SmartChain-SRM do it?
At its core is an AI engine analyzing real-time data from IoT sensors, weather forecasts, geopolitical trends, and supplier performance. Machine learning identifies patterns, assigns risk scores, and generates predictive insights weeks or months ahead. For instance, if a hurricane threatens a shipping route, the AI flags it, suggests alternate paths, and triggers alerts within minutes.
And where does the IoT gateway fit into this system?
The IoT gateway is deployed at key supply chain points, encrypting and storing sensor data on location, temperature, and humidity. If connectivity drops, the blockchain ensures data remains verifiable and tamper-proof, which is vital for high-stakes industries like pharmaceuticals.
Blockchain seems central to the platform. How does it enhance security and transparency?
Every transaction, from shipment scans to supplier updates, is stored on a secured ledger. Stakeholders can verify authenticity in real time, and the immutable record prevents fraud or tampering. It also supports smart contracts, which automate responses when issues arise.
Could you elaborate on how smart contracts work in practice?
When a sensor detects a problem, like a temperature deviation in a vaccine shipment, the smart contract automatically reroutes the shipment, notifies relevant stakeholders, or adjusts inventory. All actions are logged immutably, ensuring accountability.
With all this data flowing through the system, cybersecurity must be a priority. How do you manage that?
AI continuously monitors for anomalies like phishing, malware, or ransomware. If suspicious activity is detected, the system isolates affected nodes while blockchain verifies transaction integrity, keeping sensitive logistics data secure.
Collaboration is key in global supply chains. How does SmartChain-SRM enable it?
The platform offers role-based dashboard access, so suppliers, logistics providers, and buyers see only relevant data. Everyone can verify shipments in real time, which reduces disputes and speeds processes like customs clearance.
Does historical data influence the system’s predictions?
Definitely. AI leverages past supplier performance, economic trends, and weather patterns to anticipate disruptions. Historical port congestion data, for example, can inform early rerouting to prevent delays.
Can you give practical examples of how SmartChain-SRM could make a difference?
Simulations show it could reroute produce shipments to prevent spoilage, detect temperature deviations in vaccine shipments to maintain cold chains, and recommend alternate suppliers in manufacturing to reduce operational downtime.
Finally, where do you see the platform making the biggest impact?
Healthcare, by securing vaccine cold chains; manufacturing, by ensuring uninterrupted production; and agriculture, by enabling reliable exports. Its adaptability across industries makes it a ue game-changer for global trade.
The Innovator Behind the Platform
Bright Ojo holds a master’s in operations management from the University of Arkansas (2025) and a master’s in structural engineering from the University of Benin (2023). His credentials include PMP, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, and Homeland Security certifications.
During COVID-19, he played a critical role at Igbinx-Ede Construction Ltd. in Nigeria, managing logistics to keep infrastructure projects on track despite global shortages, earning recognition in The Guardian Nigeria. He is a corporate member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE). His research on AI-driven logistics and resilient supply chains has been widely cited, and he has received multiple awards, including the 2024 Nigerian Society of Engineers Chairman’s Merit Award.
Economic and Social Impact
Beyond operational efficiency, SmartChain-SRM has the potential to drive broader economic and social benefits. By reducing supply chain disruptions, it can stabilize global trade, supporting industries that employ millions worldwide. In agriculture, its transparency tools could enhance food security by ensuring reliable exports, critical for regions like Africa and South Asia. Its scalability also opens opportunities for job creation in tech and logistics. “This isn’t just about saving costs, it’s about building stronger economies and communities,” Ojo said.
A Global Solution with Universal Impact
SmartChain-SRM’s flexible architecture adapts to diverse markets, securing pharmaceutical cold chains in Europe, optimizing manufacturing logistics in North America, and ensuring reliable agricultural exports in Africa. Its ability to integrate with existing systems and handle multi-party transactions makes it a fit for both commercial and public-sector applications.
Prof. Ikponmwosa Ignatius Omorodion, Senior Lecturer at Ambrose Alli University commented: “Bright Ojo’s SmartChain-SRM sets a global benchmark. Its AI-blockchain integration tackles universal supply chain challenges with precision and scalability.” Daniel Adelakun PMP, a process engineer at Intel Corporation, added: “Ojo’s platform is a leap forward. Its real-time risk mitigation and secure data framework position it as a leader in next-generation logistics.”
Looking Ahead: The Future of SmartChain-SRM
Ojo envisions SmartChain-SRM evolving to address emerging challenges. “We’re working on enhancing AI models to forecast risks up to six months out, incorporating sustainability metrics to help businesses reduce emissions,” he said. Plans include expanding into energy and retail sectors, with partnerships in development to deploy the platform across global logistics networks. He is also exploring integrations with advanced IoT sensors to monitor carbon footprints, aligning with global sustainability goals. “The future of supply chains is not just resilience but responsibility. We’re building a world where supply chains are unbreakable and trustworthy,” Ojo said. “SmartChain-SRM empowers businesses to grow without fear of disruption.”
