. Click on the speaker’s name or the + icon to see the speaker's full info Meet our Keynote Speakers from ODES 2022
Dr. Jumoke Oduwole
Executive Secretary, BME/PEBEC
Dr. Jumoke Oduwole
Executive Secretary, BME/PEBEC
Transitioning Underserved Communities to Digital Economies: A Promise of a Bright Future.
Matt Dunne
Founder, CORI
Matt Dunne
Founder, CORI
Digital Transformation of Underserved Communities: Case Studies from Rural America.
Event Speakers
Jesudamilare “JD” Adesegun-David
Co-Founder, Ennovate Lab
Jesudamilare “JD” Adesegun-David
Co-Founder, Ennovate Lab
Jesudamilare "JD" Adesegun-David is a Community Transformation Strategist. Ennovate Lab, a community he co-leads, is an Innovation Hub and a Startup Foundry committed to building resilient innovation ecosystems in underserved university communities in Africa.
A graduate of Agronomy in 2011 and a Teach with Africa Fellow (South Africa) in 2015, he has a knack for bridging the seeming divide between diverse disciplines. In 2019, he was recognized by YNaija in its New Establishment List for his work in underserved communities and he has been featured in other local and global media.
As an ecosystem builder, he has resourced and mentored hundreds of entrepreneurs and tech talents in conjunction with local and global organizations including AfriLabs, Eridan Group, StudentBuild, GDG, Startup Grind, Hult Foundation, GIZ, Atos, and Impact Hub among others.
In 2021, he became a Branches Worldwide Leader and a We Will Lead Africa Fellow and in 2022, he became a Butterfly Works-certified Design Thinking Mentor.
In his quest to ensure his work consistently leads to human flourishing and virtuous culture creation, he recently completed the Praxis Academy course on Redemptive Business, a program by Praxis Labs, New York, USA.
Remi Odunsi
Chief Executive Officer, Eridan Group
Remi Odunsi
Chief Executive Officer, Eridan Group
Remi Odunsi is a seasoned management executive, social impact champion and serial entrepreneur with over three decades of relevant experience in the Banking, Insurance, Automobile, Real Estate, and FMCG industries. Well-networked and highly successful at negotiating high-volume deals with cutting-edge expertise in internal control, sales and marketing, product development, operations and strategic planning. She is an administrator per excellence, a versatile and visionary mind, notable for her intuitive anticipation of market trends with standardized processes to harness resultant opportunities. While being the co-founder and CEO of Eridan Group, she currently serves in non-executive management capacities in other companies in Nigeria and the United States of America; namely Executive Coach Builders, Karrabo, and ShopTopUp MFB.
An immensely enlightened personage, Remi graduated from the University of Ile Ife with BSc (Hons) in Management and Accounting in 1991; and later on, she obtained her MBA in Information and Communication Technology from EDHEC Business School, France. She is as well a qualified member of the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT) and a Fellow, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA); both in the UK. She is an alumnus of the Lagos Business School Senior Management Programme, MIT Sloane Executive Education and Harvard Business School Executive Education.
Being a highly resourceful and dedicated Administrator, she was an appointed member of the Land Use and Allocation Committee, Lagos State. She is the current President of Jesus Ministries, Nigeria; the Founder of Comfort Stream Global Care Foundation and Threefold Impact Development Foundation.
Uche Aniche
Convener, Startup South
Uche Aniche
Convener, Startup South
Uche Aniche is a tech and business innovation leader, an Angel Investor and an emerging Africa-focused Fund Manager with over two decades of experience in business communication, process design, Startup & Innovation Management, Product development and Community Leadership.
He's arguably the foremost advocate for Startup/Entrepreneurship Ecosystem development in Nigeria with a special focus on the South-South/South-East through #StartupSouth has helped founders raise $Millions across Nigeria. He is the CEO of Havilah & Hills Innovative Systems Limited, Convener, #StartupSouth - a Startup & Innovation Community/Project inspiring the next generation of high-scale founders in Nigeria’s South-South/South-East regions. He is also a Director at SSE Angel Network, Communications Director at Imo Economic Summit Group and General Partner at Rebel Seed Capital.
Yemisi Isidi
Co-Owner, Cirkle Lab
Yemisi Isidi
Co-Owner, Cirkle Lab
Yemisi Isidi has contributed tangibly to the growth of the Digital Economy in the North Central, particularly in Kwara State where she yearly organises the Ilorin Digital Summit and launched Cirkle Labs which is focused on enabling more youth access to decent jobs and growing their businesses using digital tools.
Also, Yemisi has worked as a facilitator, mentor, advisor, trainer, and coach on various incubators, accelerators, and training programs across Africa, assisting over 2000 entrepreneurs (70% women and youth) in creating over 935 jobs, securing funding, increasing monthly revenue by over 75 million Naira, improving their business structure, establishing global businesses, leveraging digital tools and platforms, and appearing on various local and international media platforms.
She has had a distinguished career in Nigeria and the UK, working with governmental, corporate, and NGOs in various sectors. She is also a World Economic Forum Global Shaper with Abuja Hub where she is the education and entrepreneurship lead.
At Triift Africa, where she is co-founder, she provides access to capital for businesses especially women-owned businesses and a vast range of support that enables the start and growth of businesses in Africa.
Prof. Ojo John Adedapo
Chair, Centre for Emerging Skills, LAUTECH
Prof. Ojo John Adedapo
Chair, Centre for Emerging Skills, LAUTECH
Professor J.A. Ojo holds B.Tech (1999), M.Sc. (2002) and PhD (2011) in Electronic & Electrical Engineering, with a specialization in Communication Systems and Signal Processing. He was offered an appointment upon graduation, as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso and now a Professor in the same institution.
Prof. Ojo has numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings. He has taught core courses in the department of electronic and electrical engineering both at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels and has developed resources for teaching and learning these courses. His research interests are in Machine learning, Computer Vision, Image Processing, Pattern recognition and its applications to biometrics, security and surveillance systems, biomedical and bio-signal processing.
Prof. Ojo is the Chairman, Centre for Emerging Skills Technology (CEST-LAUTECH) a centre with the vision of building future competencies in people. He is also the Convener and Team Lead of the Signal and Information Processing, Instrumentation and Control (SIPIC) research group with membership in about six tertiary institutions. He is a well-sought conference speaker where he delivered keynote addresses on Artificial Intelligence, Machine learning and its applications to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Prof Ojo recently attracted a tech infrastructure named Seyi Makinde Innovation Tech Hub to LAUTECH. The hub focuses on research and innovation, upskilling and reskilling of the workforce as well as postgraduate training.
Adeyemi Aderinto
Founder, SQI College of ICT
Adeyemi Aderinto
Founder, SQI College of ICT
Adeyemi C. Aderinto is a seasoned ICT consultant and technology skills trainer with more than 18 years of combined experience and expertise in different modern technology knowledge areas including Software Engineering, Systems Architecture, Database Design and Administration, People, Operation, Project and Product Management and more.
From his interest to help transform businesses from an entity troubled by technical operational challenges, into a highly effective body with the most optimized delivery of services that satisfy their clients - he founded Edozzier; an A.I-powered Entity Resource Management System, currently used by many schools and corporate organizations across Nigeria. The software is one of the finest pieces available globally and a model of good practice.
Mr Aderinto Adeyemi also has a vision to make Africa a pool of technology talents one mind at a time, this made him establish SQI Academy in 2008. SQI academy, a subdivision of SQI ICT Consultants was established as a training institute to multiply the in-demand technical abilities of more people to build world-class technology solutions for local and global markets, and to supply technology talents to companies locally and globally. By 2022, SQI College of ICT has trained 10000+ people who are placed in top companies globally and some others who founded their technology companies.
In 2021 SQI Academy became a government-accredited institution of learning that offer academic certificates.
Under these franchises, through a sustained commitment to promoting a culture of mentoring and learner empowerment for both students and staff, to create an environment where everyone can thrive, Adeyemi has directly mentored 1000+ students in over 13 years, some of whom are heads of different technology companies globally including Microsoft, Google, Andela, MTN, Top commercial banks Software Engineering team and more. In 2017 Adeyemi was also conferred with an Honorary Doctorate degree from the Christian International Bible College.
Mr Adeyemi Aderinto is a recipient of the 2019 and 2020 - No 1. Ogbomoso Community Developer Award - from Arewa Ajilete Lifter Awards. Mr Adeyemi Aderinto is a recipient of the 2021 DISTINGUISHED LEADERSHIP AWARD from the Centre for Leadership and Good Governance International in conjunction with UNESCO for creating a platform for educational development and exemplary leadership qualities.
He is a recipient of the 2021 OYO STATE 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSONALITIES AWARD under the TECHNOLOGY category, amongst several other recognition of his outstanding efforts.
He is a technology consultant and provider to the largest Theological Seminary in West Africa - The Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary Ogbomoso.
He is a technology consultant and provider to the Bowen Univerisity Teaching Hospital.
Adeyemi is the President of SQI ICT Consultants Limited and the Founder of Edozzier
Patricia Simon-Hart
Founder and Managing Director, Aftrac Ltd
Emeka Okoye
Founder, Open Data NG
Emeka Okoye
Founder, Open Data NG
Emeka is a Senior Knowledge Engineer with Cymantiks Limited, a company that makes Government, Organizations and Cities smarter using Semantic Technologies and Computational Linguistics, for Modeling, Knowledge Representation, and Ontology Engineering, en-route to exploiting the opportunities in their Data Assets, Science Investments for Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics to simulate human decision-making and high-level cognitive tasks that can be used to solve complex problems and achieve their desired Digital Transformation objectives.
In the last 25 years, Emeka has been at the forefront of technology and innovation in Nigeria from cofounding the earliest startup (ngex.com) to building cognitive solutions (Knowledge Graph on Disease Incidences, Nigerian Law Reports & Data, African Films) to building Smart Agents, Software Autonomous Systems and Rules as Codes (RaC) using Semantic AI and Blockchain technology.
Emeka is able to understand and explain technologies from deep diving under the hood to the value proposition level. He believes that Linked Data, Blockchain and AI will change and improve the way we live and work, and he is passionate about designing and building systems that will make this happen, and teaching others to do this as well.
He has been listed among the top 20 most influential Technology people in Africa (2013) by South Africa IT News to name a few .
He groks at the intersection of Digital Societies, Fintech, Economic Development, Public Health, Urbanization, Behavioral Sciences, Open Data and Semantic AI on Twitter (@EmekaOkoye).
Anna Ekeledo
Executive Director, Afrilabs
Anna Ekeledo
Executive Director, Afrilabs
Anna Ekeledo is the Executive Director of AfriLabs - a Network Organisation of over 370
technology and innovation hubs spread across 52 African Countries and the diaspora; leading AfriLabs to develop programmes and building partnerships that support African Innovation Hubs and other stakeholders in raising high-potential entrepreneurs that stimulate economic growth and social development in Africa.
Anna is an International Speaker, Trainer, Innovation Ecosystem Builder, and Mentor. She is also an Advisor; amongst several advisory roles; a member of the Advisory Board at African Europe Innovation Partnership, an initiative supported by the European Commission, she also chairs the Working Party on AfCFTA Negotiations, eCommerce Forum Africa (EFA) and is a mentor on Google Launchpad Accelerator Africa for Entrepreneurs.
She is the Regional Innovation Lead Africa, at the EdTech Hub - the world's largest education technology research and innovation project which seeks to drive research and adoption of evidence-based education technology in developing countries supported by the World Bank, FCDO, and Bill & Melinda Gates.
Prior to joining AfriLabs, Anna was involved in pioneering various impact-driven projects and new business units with organisations such as the Visiola Foundation, Wild Fusion Digital Centre, Google, Lagos Business School - Nigeria, and Ingenico - a French global financial technology company.
Anna is a member of the Africa-Europe Foundation Digital Strategy Task Force, she is also engaged at a High-Level Policy Dialogue on Science, Technology and Innovation working group AU-EU Science, Technology and Innovation (STI).
Anna has a first-class degree in Psychology from Covenant University, Nigeria and an M.Sc. International Marketing Management from Leeds University Business School, University of Leeds, UK.
Dr. Jinmisayo Awokola
Director of Business Development, Unitellas Edge Cloud Services Limited
Dr. Jinmisayo Awokola
Director of Business Development, Unitellas Edge Cloud Services LimitedGovernment, Academia and Private Sector Responsibilities in Building Digital Economies
Oluwaseyi Gbadebo
Creative Director, BZL Crew & Konkéré Designs
Oluwaseyi Gbadebo
Creative Director, BZL Crew & Konkéré Designs
For over a decade, Oluwaseyi Gbadebo has been a noteworthy leader in the creative space. A versatile artist, muralist, instructor, and creative entrepreneur, He founded numerous creative companies, some of which include; House of Bezalel, BZL CREW
(Nigeria's top leading Mural agency), and Konkere Designs (an afro urban concrete design brand).
Gbadebo has been featured in numerous art exhibitions, at home and abroad, and has been honoured for his contributions to the art industry.
He holds a B.Tech Degree from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, and he currently resides with his wife in Oyo state.
Dr. Oladipo Elijah Kolawole (PhD)
Founder, Helix Biogen Institute
Dr. Oladipo Elijah Kolawole (PhD)
Founder, Helix Biogen Institute
Dr. Oladipo Elijah Kolawole is an International Fellow of the Indian Council of Medical Research /AU-STRC with a PhD in Medical Virology and Immunology from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology. Presently, he holds a faculty position (HOD) at the Department of Microbiology, Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria. Experienced Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the research industry. Skilled in Nonprofit Organizations, Microsoft Word, Molecular Biology, Cell Culture, and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Strong business development professional who graduated from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology.
His primary research focuses on infectious diseases caused by RNA viruses, molecular epidemiology/surveillance, diagnosis, pathogenesis, molecular immunology, viral immunology and oncology, viral computational biology, antiviral resistance, and antibiotics resistance. Also into interspecies transmission dynamics of emerging infectious diseases particularly those caused by RNA viruses. His research is directed towards uncovering how host immune pressure and transmission affect the genetic diversity of RNA viruses with the application of molecular biology, bioinformatics, and immunoinformatics.
He received a research grant from CDC through IRR during his Ph. D. studies. He has won various awards and grants to attend international conferences from bodies such as African Union, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, International Society for Influenza and Respiratory Viruses, TWAS SAREP, UNESCO, Wellcome, Institute of Endemic Diseases Sudan, African Academy of Science, PATH, Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS), Federation of African Immunological Societies (FAIS) and Kenya Society For Immunology (KSI), African Partnership for Chronic Disease Research [APCDR], by International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology [ICGEB], National Institute of General Medical Science U.S., National Institutes of Health [NIH], H3ABioNet, Nigerian Bioinformatics, and Genomics Network, Centre for Genomics Research and Innovation, MacArthur Foundation, EDCTP, UKaid from the British people, Medical Research Council, University of Glasgow, KEMRI/Wellcome Trust, Wellcome Centre Molecular Parasitology, iDeAL and Pwani University.
He is the Founder of the fast-growing genomic institute "Helix Biogen Institute, Ogbomoso { known as “Helix Biogen Consult”}. He is the team leader for the COVID-19 candidate vaccine that is currently on WHO draft landscape for all COVID-19 vaccine candidates.
MichaEL Light Tommy
Co-Founder, Asterism Comms
MichaEL Light Tommy
Co-Founder, Asterism Comms
MichaEL is a seasoned creative on a boundless exploration of visual creativity and its transformative influence on people, brands, communities and societies. He combines his engineering background with his creative capacities in shaping perspectives, culture and the future.
He is the Founder of Orient Visuals and Co-founder of Asterism Comms.
Niyi Abiri
Founder, CMapIt
Niyi Abiri
Founder, CMapIt
Niyi Oluwatosin Abiri is a proficient GIS Software Developer who has garnered over nine years of in-depth experience in software, application development, data communications, remote sensing, spatial data analysis, and digital map design. He possesses advanced proficiency in Google Earth Engine, Sentinel EO Browser, and selected programming languages.
From coordinating cloud-based deployments and leading highly-performing teams in the conduct of GIS analytical procedures to seamlessly managing workloads and meeting challenging deadlines and quality benchmarks, Niyi Abiri has made positive contributions and accomplished remarkable project goals consistently.
In 2015, Niyi designed and developed the CMAPIT.io Software, a simplified GIS tool designed for non-GIS professionals and experts in other industries that helps to analyze earth data and generate forest density for Mac and Windows Operating Systems as well as Android devices. It also helps to create highly interactive maps and GIS analytics without prior GIS experience.
Niyi, who graduated from the department of Transport Planning and Technology at the prestigious Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, bagged his Master's degree in Sustainability and Environmental Management from Staffordshire University, United Kingdom in 2012.
Niyi, who got a certificate of participation in Business and Entrepreneurship from the University of Nevada, Reno, as a Mandela Washington Fellow in 2017 is also a Fire Africa Fellow.
Adebayo Akande
Special Assistant to the Oyo state Governor on ICT and Governance.
Adebayo Akande
Special Assistant to the Oyo state Governor on ICT and Governance.
Adebayo Akande is the Special Assistant to the Oyo State Governor on Information Communications Technology and E-Governance and the Director General of the Oyo State Infrastructure Management and Control Agency.
Prior to joining public service, his experience cuts across technology, media and entertainment. He founded Orb Solutions, a full-service technology company that specializes in the areas of managed technology services, IT support as well as web and mobile app development. He also founded West Midlands CBT Ltd., a technology services company in 2013 which conducts examinations for Nigeria’s premier University - the University of Ibadan, National Open University of Nigeria, JAMB amongst others. Bayo made a pivot into the media/entertainment space, and co-founded two radio stations, Splash FM and Lagelu FM with a combined daily listenership of about 2.5 million people. He continues to serve as a director on the board of these radio stations.
In 2019, Bayo was appointed Special Assistant to the Oyo State Governor on Information Communications Technology and E-Governance. In his role, he is responsible for technology development and growth in Oyo state and digitizing the state’s public service processes. Adebayo also serves as the the Director General of the Oyo State Infrastructure Management and Control Agency, where he oversees all telecoms and utility infrastructure regulation in the state. Bayo Akande on behalf of the Oyo State Government has won numerous awards for the State. In 2021, he represented Oyo State at the National Council of Digital Economy, and awards in all categories were won: the best State in ICT Infrastructure, best state in ICT Human Capacity development, and overall best state in Digital technology.
Event Speakers
Jesudamilare “JD” Adesegun-David
Co-Founder, Ennovate Lab
Jesudamilare “JD” Adesegun-David
Co-Founder, Ennovate Lab
Jesudamilare "JD" Adesegun-David is a Community Transformation Strategist. Ennovate Lab, a community he co-leads, is an Innovation Hub and a Startup Foundry committed to building resilient innovation ecosystems in underserved university communities in Africa.
A graduate of Agronomy in 2011 and a Teach with Africa Fellow (South Africa) in 2015, he has a knack for bridging the seeming divide between diverse disciplines. In 2019, he was recognized by YNaija in its New Establishment List for his work in underserved communities and he has been featured in other local and global media.
As an ecosystem builder, he has resourced and mentored hundreds of entrepreneurs and tech talents in conjunction with local and global organizations including AfriLabs, Eridan Group, StudentBuild, GDG, Startup Grind, Hult Foundation, GIZ, Atos, and Impact Hub among others.
In 2021, he became a Branches Worldwide Leader and a We Will Lead Africa Fellow and in 2022, he became a Butterfly Works-certified Design Thinking Mentor.
In his quest to ensure his work consistently leads to human flourishing and virtuous culture creation, he recently completed the Praxis Academy course on Redemptive Business, a program by Praxis Labs, New York, USA.
Uche Aniche
Convener, Startup South
Uche Aniche
Convener, Startup South
Uche Aniche is a tech and business innovation leader, an Angel Investor and an emerging Africa-focused Fund Manager with over two decades of experience in business communication, process design, Startup & Innovation Management, Product development and Community Leadership.
He's arguably the foremost advocate for Startup/Entrepreneurship Ecosystem development in Nigeria with a special focus on the South-South/South-East through #StartupSouth has helped founders raise $Millions across Nigeria. He is the CEO of Havilah & Hills Innovative Systems Limited, Convener, #StartupSouth - a Startup & Innovation Community/Project inspiring the next generation of high-scale founders in Nigeria’s South-South/South-East regions. He is also a Director at SSE Angel Network, Communications Director at Imo Economic Summit Group and General Partner at Rebel Seed Capital.
Remi Odunsi
Chief Executive Officer, Eridan Group
Remi Odunsi
Chief Executive Officer, Eridan Group
Remi Odunsi is a seasoned management executive, social impact champion and serial entrepreneur with over three decades of relevant experience in the Banking, Insurance, Automobile, Real Estate, and FMCG industries. Well-networked and highly successful at negotiating high-volume deals with cutting-edge expertise in internal control, sales and marketing, product development, operations and strategic planning. She is an administrator per excellence, a versatile and visionary mind, notable for her intuitive anticipation of market trends with standardized processes to harness resultant opportunities. While being the co-founder and CEO of Eridan Group, she currently serves in non-executive management capacities in other companies in Nigeria and the United States of America; namely Executive Coach Builders, Karrabo, and ShopTopUp MFB.
An immensely enlightened personage, Remi graduated from the University of Ile Ife with BSc (Hons) in Management and Accounting in 1991; and later on, she obtained her MBA in Information and Communication Technology from EDHEC Business School, France. She is as well a qualified member of the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT) and a Fellow, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA); both in the UK. She is an alumnus of the Lagos Business School Senior Management Programme, MIT Sloane Executive Education and Harvard Business School Executive Education.
Being a highly resourceful and dedicated Administrator, she was an appointed member of the Land Use and Allocation Committee, Lagos State. She is the current President of Jesus Ministries, Nigeria; the Founder of Comfort Stream Global Care Foundation and Threefold Impact Development Foundation.
Adebayo Akande
Special Assistant to the Oyo state Governor on ICT and Governance.
Adebayo Akande
Special Assistant to the Oyo state Governor on ICT and Governance.
Adebayo Akande is the Special Assistant to the Oyo State Governor on Information Communications Technology and E-Governance and the Director General of the Oyo State Infrastructure Management and Control Agency.
Prior to joining public service, his experience cuts across technology, media and entertainment. He founded Orb Solutions, a full-service technology company that specializes in the areas of managed technology services, IT support as well as web and mobile app development. He also founded West Midlands CBT Ltd., a technology services company in 2013 which conducts examinations for Nigeria’s premier University - the University of Ibadan, National Open University of Nigeria, JAMB amongst others. Bayo made a pivot into the media/entertainment space, and co-founded two radio stations, Splash FM and Lagelu FM with a combined daily listenership of about 2.5 million people. He continues to serve as a director on the board of these radio stations.
In 2019, Bayo was appointed Special Assistant to the Oyo State Governor on Information Communications Technology and E-Governance. In his role, he is responsible for technology development and growth in Oyo state and digitizing the state’s public service processes. Adebayo also serves as the the Director General of the Oyo State Infrastructure Management and Control Agency, where he oversees all telecoms and utility infrastructure regulation in the state. Bayo Akande on behalf of the Oyo State Government has won numerous awards for the State. In 2021, he represented Oyo State at the National Council of Digital Economy, and awards in all categories were won: the best State in ICT Infrastructure, best state in ICT Human Capacity development, and overall best state in Digital technology.
Yemisi Isidi
Co-Owner, Cirkle Lab
Yemisi Isidi
Co-Owner, Cirkle Lab
Yemisi Isidi has contributed tangibly to the growth of the Digital Economy in the North Central, particularly in Kwara State where she yearly organises the Ilorin Digital Summit and launched Cirkle Labs which is focused on enabling more youth access to decent jobs and growing their businesses using digital tools.
Also, Yemisi has worked as a facilitator, mentor, advisor, trainer, and coach on various incubators, accelerators, and training programs across Africa, assisting over 2000 entrepreneurs (70% women and youth) in creating over 935 jobs, securing funding, increasing monthly revenue by over 75 million Naira, improving their business structure, establishing global businesses, leveraging digital tools and platforms, and appearing on various local and international media platforms.
She has had a distinguished career in Nigeria and the UK, working with governmental, corporate, and NGOs in various sectors. She is also a World Economic Forum Global Shaper with Abuja Hub where she is the education and entrepreneurship lead.
At Triift Africa, where she is co-founder, she provides access to capital for businesses especially women-owned businesses and a vast range of support that enables the start and growth of businesses in Africa.
Prof. Ojo John Adedapo
Chair, Centre for Emerging Skills, LAUTECH
Prof. Ojo John Adedapo
Chair, Centre for Emerging Skills, LAUTECH
Professor J.A. Ojo holds B.Tech (1999), M.Sc. (2002) and PhD (2011) in Electronic & Electrical Engineering, with a specialization in Communication Systems and Signal Processing. He was offered an appointment upon graduation, as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso and now a Professor in the same institution.
Prof. Ojo has numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings. He has taught core courses in the department of electronic and electrical engineering both at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels and has developed resources for teaching and learning these courses. His research interests are in Machine learning, Computer Vision, Image Processing, Pattern recognition and its applications to biometrics, security and surveillance systems, biomedical and bio-signal processing.
Prof. Ojo is the Chairman, Centre for Emerging Skills Technology (CEST-LAUTECH) a centre with the vision of building future competencies in people. He is also the Convener and Team Lead of the Signal and Information Processing, Instrumentation and Control (SIPIC) research group with membership in about six tertiary institutions. He is a well-sought conference speaker where he delivered keynote addresses on Artificial Intelligence, Machine learning and its applications to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Prof Ojo recently attracted a tech infrastructure named Seyi Makinde Innovation Tech Hub to LAUTECH. The hub focuses on research and innovation, upskilling and reskilling of the workforce as well as postgraduate training.
Anna Ekeledo
Executive Director, Afrilabs
Anna Ekeledo
Executive Director, Afrilabs
Anna Ekeledo is the Executive Director of AfriLabs - a Network Organisation of over 370
technology and innovation hubs spread across 52 African Countries and the diaspora; leading AfriLabs to develop programmes and building partnerships that support African Innovation Hubs and other stakeholders in raising high-potential entrepreneurs that stimulate economic growth and social development in Africa.
Anna is an International Speaker, Trainer, Innovation Ecosystem Builder, and Mentor. She is also an Advisor; amongst several advisory roles; a member of the Advisory Board at African Europe Innovation Partnership, an initiative supported by the European Commission, she also chairs the Working Party on AfCFTA Negotiations, eCommerce Forum Africa (EFA) and is a mentor on Google Launchpad Accelerator Africa for Entrepreneurs.
She is the Regional Innovation Lead Africa, at the EdTech Hub - the world's largest education technology research and innovation project which seeks to drive research and adoption of evidence-based education technology in developing countries supported by the World Bank, FCDO, and Bill & Melinda Gates.
Prior to joining AfriLabs, Anna was involved in pioneering various impact-driven projects and new business units with organisations such as the Visiola Foundation, Wild Fusion Digital Centre, Google, Lagos Business School - Nigeria, and Ingenico - a French global financial technology company.
Anna is a member of the Africa-Europe Foundation Digital Strategy Task Force, she is also engaged at a High-Level Policy Dialogue on Science, Technology and Innovation working group AU-EU Science, Technology and Innovation (STI).
Anna has a first-class degree in Psychology from Covenant University, Nigeria and an M.Sc. International Marketing Management from Leeds University Business School, University of Leeds, UK.
MichaEL Light Tommy
Co-Founder, Asterism Comms
MichaEL Light Tommy
Co-Founder, Asterism Comms
MichaEL is a seasoned creative on a boundless exploration of visual creativity and its transformative influence on people, brands, communities and societies. He combines his engineering background with his creative capacities in shaping perspectives, culture and the future.
He is the Founder of Orient Visuals and Co-founder of Asterism Comms.
Patricia Simon-Hart
Founder and Managing Director, Aftrac Ltd
Emeka Okoye
Founder, Open Data NG
Emeka Okoye
Founder, Open Data NG
Emeka is a Senior Knowledge Engineer with Cymantiks Limited, a company that makes Government, Organizations and Cities smarter using Semantic Technologies and Computational Linguistics, for Modeling, Knowledge Representation, and Ontology Engineering, en-route to exploiting the opportunities in their Data Assets, Science Investments for Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics to simulate human decision-making and high-level cognitive tasks that can be used to solve complex problems and achieve their desired Digital Transformation objectives.
In the last 25 years, Emeka has been at the forefront of technology and innovation in Nigeria from cofounding the earliest startup (ngex.com) to building cognitive solutions (Knowledge Graph on Disease Incidences, Nigerian Law Reports & Data, African Films) to building Smart Agents, Software Autonomous Systems and Rules as Codes (RaC) using Semantic AI and Blockchain technology.
Emeka is able to understand and explain technologies from deep diving under the hood to the value proposition level. He believes that Linked Data, Blockchain and AI will change and improve the way we live and work, and he is passionate about designing and building systems that will make this happen, and teaching others to do this as well.
He has been listed among the top 20 most influential Technology people in Africa (2013) by South Africa IT News to name a few .
He groks at the intersection of Digital Societies, Fintech, Economic Development, Public Health, Urbanization, Behavioral Sciences, Open Data and Semantic AI on Twitter (@EmekaOkoye).
Dr. Oladipo Elijah Kolawole (PhD)
Founder, Helix Biogen Institute
Dr. Oladipo Elijah Kolawole (PhD)
Founder, Helix Biogen Institute
Dr. Oladipo Elijah Kolawole is an International Fellow of the Indian Council of Medical Research /AU-STRC with a PhD in Medical Virology and Immunology from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology. Presently, he holds a faculty position (HOD) at the Department of Microbiology, Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria. Experienced Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the research industry. Skilled in Nonprofit Organizations, Microsoft Word, Molecular Biology, Cell Culture, and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Strong business development professional who graduated from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology.
His primary research focuses on infectious diseases caused by RNA viruses, molecular epidemiology/surveillance, diagnosis, pathogenesis, molecular immunology, viral immunology and oncology, viral computational biology, antiviral resistance, and antibiotics resistance. Also into interspecies transmission dynamics of emerging infectious diseases particularly those caused by RNA viruses. His research is directed towards uncovering how host immune pressure and transmission affect the genetic diversity of RNA viruses with the application of molecular biology, bioinformatics, and immunoinformatics.
He received a research grant from CDC through IRR during his Ph. D. studies. He has won various awards and grants to attend international conferences from bodies such as African Union, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, International Society for Influenza and Respiratory Viruses, TWAS SAREP, UNESCO, Wellcome, Institute of Endemic Diseases Sudan, African Academy of Science, PATH, Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS), Federation of African Immunological Societies (FAIS) and Kenya Society For Immunology (KSI), African Partnership for Chronic Disease Research [APCDR], by International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology [ICGEB], National Institute of General Medical Science U.S., National Institutes of Health [NIH], H3ABioNet, Nigerian Bioinformatics, and Genomics Network, Centre for Genomics Research and Innovation, MacArthur Foundation, EDCTP, UKaid from the British people, Medical Research Council, University of Glasgow, KEMRI/Wellcome Trust, Wellcome Centre Molecular Parasitology, iDeAL and Pwani University.
He is the Founder of the fast-growing genomic institute "Helix Biogen Institute, Ogbomoso { known as “Helix Biogen Consult”}. He is the team leader for the COVID-19 candidate vaccine that is currently on WHO draft landscape for all COVID-19 vaccine candidates.
Niyi Abiri
Founder, CMapIt
Niyi Abiri
Founder, CMapIt
Niyi Oluwatosin Abiri is a proficient GIS Software Developer who has garnered over nine years of in-depth experience in software, application development, data communications, remote sensing, spatial data analysis, and digital map design. He possesses advanced proficiency in Google Earth Engine, Sentinel EO Browser, and selected programming languages.
From coordinating cloud-based deployments and leading highly-performing teams in the conduct of GIS analytical procedures to seamlessly managing workloads and meeting challenging deadlines and quality benchmarks, Niyi Abiri has made positive contributions and accomplished remarkable project goals consistently.
In 2015, Niyi designed and developed the CMAPIT.io Software, a simplified GIS tool designed for non-GIS professionals and experts in other industries that helps to analyze earth data and generate forest density for Mac and Windows Operating Systems as well as Android devices. It also helps to create highly interactive maps and GIS analytics without prior GIS experience.
Niyi, who graduated from the department of Transport Planning and Technology at the prestigious Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, bagged his Master's degree in Sustainability and Environmental Management from Staffordshire University, United Kingdom in 2012.
Niyi, who got a certificate of participation in Business and Entrepreneurship from the University of Nevada, Reno, as a Mandela Washington Fellow in 2017 is also a Fire Africa Fellow.
Oluwaseyi Gbadebo
Creative Director, BZL Crew & Konkéré Designs
Oluwaseyi Gbadebo
Creative Director, BZL Crew & Konkéré Designs
For over a decade, Oluwaseyi Gbadebo has been a noteworthy leader in the creative space. A versatile artist, muralist, instructor, and creative entrepreneur, He founded numerous creative companies, some of which include; House of Bezalel, BZL CREW
(Nigeria's top leading Mural agency), and Konkere Designs (an afro urban concrete design brand).
Gbadebo has been featured in numerous art exhibitions, at home and abroad, and has been honoured for his contributions to the art industry.
He holds a B.Tech Degree from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, and he currently resides with his wife in Oyo state.
Dr. Jinmisayo Awokola
Director of Business Development, Unitellas Edge Cloud Services Limited
Dr. Jinmisayo Awokola
Director of Business Development, Unitellas Edge Cloud Services LimitedGovernment, Academia and Private Sector Responsibilities in Building Digital Economies
Adeyemi Aderinto
Founder, SQI College of ICT
Adeyemi Aderinto
Founder, SQI College of ICT
Adeyemi C. Aderinto is a seasoned ICT consultant and technology skills trainer with more than 18 years of combined experience and expertise in different modern technology knowledge areas including Software Engineering, Systems Architecture, Database Design and Administration, People, Operation, Project and Product Management and more.
From his interest to help transform businesses from an entity troubled by technical operational challenges, into a highly effective body with the most optimized delivery of services that satisfy their clients - he founded Edozzier; an A.I-powered Entity Resource Management System, currently used by many schools and corporate organizations across Nigeria. The software is one of the finest pieces available globally and a model of good practice.
Mr Aderinto Adeyemi also has a vision to make Africa a pool of technology talents one mind at a time, this made him establish SQI Academy in 2008. SQI academy, a subdivision of SQI ICT Consultants was established as a training institute to multiply the in-demand technical abilities of more people to build world-class technology solutions for local and global markets, and to supply technology talents to companies locally and globally. By 2022, SQI College of ICT has trained 10000+ people who are placed in top companies globally and some others who founded their technology companies.
In 2021 SQI Academy became a government-accredited institution of learning that offer academic certificates.
Under these franchises, through a sustained commitment to promoting a culture of mentoring and learner empowerment for both students and staff, to create an environment where everyone can thrive, Adeyemi has directly mentored 1000+ students in over 13 years, some of whom are heads of different technology companies globally including Microsoft, Google, Andela, MTN, Top commercial banks Software Engineering team and more. In 2017 Adeyemi was also conferred with an Honorary Doctorate degree from the Christian International Bible College.
Mr Adeyemi Aderinto is a recipient of the 2019 and 2020 - No 1. Ogbomoso Community Developer Award - from Arewa Ajilete Lifter Awards. Mr Adeyemi Aderinto is a recipient of the 2021 DISTINGUISHED LEADERSHIP AWARD from the Centre for Leadership and Good Governance International in conjunction with UNESCO for creating a platform for educational development and exemplary leadership qualities.
He is a recipient of the 2021 OYO STATE 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSONALITIES AWARD under the TECHNOLOGY category, amongst several other recognition of his outstanding efforts.
He is a technology consultant and provider to the largest Theological Seminary in West Africa - The Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary Ogbomoso.
He is a technology consultant and provider to the Bowen Univerisity Teaching Hospital.
Adeyemi is the President of SQI ICT Consultants Limited and the Founder of Edozzier
Prof. Stephen Olatunde Olabiyisi
Director, LAUTECH ICT Center
Prof. Stephen Olatunde Olabiyisi
Director, LAUTECH ICT Center
Stephen Olatunde Olabiyisi is a Professor of Computer Science in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria. He received B. Tech., M.Tech and PhD degrees in Applied Mathematics from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria, in 1999, 2001 and 2006 respectively. He also received an M.Sc. degree in Computer Science from the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria in 2003.
He began his career in Computer Science at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria where he joined the Department as a Graduate Assistant in 2000. He rose through the Rank of Assistant Lecture in 2002, Lecturer II in 2004, Lecturer I in 2005, Senior Lecturer in 2007 and Associate Professor (Reader) in 2010 to become Professor of Computer Science in 2013.
Prof Olabiyisi is a Member of many notable professional bodies. He has extensive teaching experience in Computer Science, Information Technology and Mathematics at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He has supervised 42 Doctoral (PhD) students, 47 Master’s students and more than 400 undergraduate students. He mentors postgraduate students and examines dissertations and theses at the aforementioned academic level. He has published over 189 peer-reviewed Journal articles and Conference papers. He is a peer reviewer for many Journals. He has also presented at workshops and symposiums. He has been invited to present keynote addresses/ Lead papers at many conferences.
He has co-authored Five (5) books. His research inclinations are Computational and Software Complexity, Performance Modeling and Simulation, Soft computing techniques and Machine learning and scientific Computing
In addition to research, he has served as the Principal Manager, LAUTECH Information and Communication Technology (LICT) Centre between 2006 and 2007). Head of Department of Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria between 2010 and 2012. Dean, Student Affairs of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria between 2012 and 2015. Member, Governing Council, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria between 2010 and 2014. National President, LAUTECH Alumni Association between 2010 and 2014, Coordinator, LAUTECH Institute of Software Engineering (LISE) between 2018 and 2019 and Chairman, LAUTECH Sports Council between 2019 and 2021. He is currently the Director, LAUTECH Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Center.
Prof Tunde Olabiyisi has served as a member National University Commission (NUC) accreditation Panel to evaluate undergraduate degree programmes and Resource Verification in more than Eighteen (18) universities. He has also served as an external examiner for undergraduate programmes in many higher Institutions of learning (Universities and Polytechnics) and external/ foreign examiner for postgraduate programmes in many Universities both in Nigeria and abroad. He has also served as an external assessor for Promotions of academic staff in many Universities and Polytechnics in Nigeria and abroad.
Prof Olabiyisi has received a string of awards and scholarships including the Federal Government Scholarship Award, Postgraduate Scholarship 2002/2003 and many others
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