My name is Nwamaka Ogboanna, a research analyst with an avid interest in development issues in Africa. Against this backdrop, it was with a high sense of pride and accomplishment that I received the news of being accepted into the Future Leaders Connect programme.
Dr. Akanimo Odon holds a PhD in Environmental Management from Lancaster University and business certifications from Cambridge, Stanford, and MIT. He specialises in cross-border education, research innovation, and Africa-UK partnerships. He advises UK universities, leads Flexy-Learn, and consults for governments and institutions across Africa. A published author and award-winning film producer, he’s mentored 5,000+ young Africans and fosters academia-industry collaboration for impact.
Odun is Co-founder and CEO at DIYlaw, Nigeria’s foremost legal technology startup, Odun is also Co-founder and Lead Counsel of The Longe Practice LP, (TLP), a law practice focused on providing legal solutions for entrepreneurship in Africa. She likes to refer to herself as a Lawver of entrepreneurs where Lawver = Lawyer + Lover. A natural progression of her background and experience is her recent foray into early stage investing. Odun loves all things technology.
Ojoma Ochai is Director, Arts, West Africa for British Council. In this role, Ojoma works with public and private sector partners in the UK and West Africa to develop and deliver programmes that build skills, international and local networks and other capacities that promote the growth and collaboration potential of the creative economy between the sub-region and the UK.
Ojonoka Agudah is an intellectual property and commercial lawyer specializing in sports marketing. As Senior Legal Counsel at the IPC, she advises on media rights, sponsorship, licensing, and player transfers. Previously, she handled high-value global transactions. Named among Nigeria’s top women in sports business, she holds an LLM from Swansea University. Passionate about women’s sports, she mentors young African women pursuing careers in sports and law.
Olamide Jolaoso is a data & analytics thought leader based in Lagos, Nigeria, renowned for his innovative contributions to the global data landscape. He was named one of the Top 100 Innovators in Data and Analytics by Corinium Global Intelligence.
As the founder of The DataMind-Mindset, he has empowered over 3,000 individuals, helping them chart successful careers in data science. Olamide is passionate about nurturing the next generation of data professionals.
Oluwafemi is a financial expert and sustainability advocate. As Co-Founder of Quantum Partners, he’s leading Nigeria’s first Green and Sustainable Bank. He founded StreetCred, which has disbursed ₦3B+ to 11,000+ women traders, and Pistis Finserve, investing ₦100M in SMEs. He contributed to the $376M World Bank MCRP. A certified Green Finance professional, he's a Chevening Scholar, UK Alumni Award winner, and Secretary of Chevening Alumni Nigeria.
In the final category, The Business and Innovation Award, Oluwafemi Adeola Adedipe, a graduate of the University of Southampton emerged as the winner. Oluwafemi is an entrepreneur focusing on financial access for underserved businesses across Nigeria’s informal sector.
He is the founder of StreetCred and Pistis Finserve, Pistis Sustainability Essay Competition as well as the Pistis Young Scholars Programme, a leadership development platform for high achieving students.
His companies have collectively provided more than N1 Billion (approx. $2.5 million) in loans to more than 10,000 women traders, artisans, and street vendors across Nigeria, serving customers from 34 business locations.
Paris Petgrave is the Founder and CEO of ‘We Love Work’, a disruptive hiring app that assesses organisational culture and predicts job applicants that are the best fit. Paris is also the founding partner of ‘Rare Seed Capital’, an angel led investment fund that invests in high growth tech start-ups with diverse teams.
Paris has worked with a number of large multinational organisations including Barclays, PWC, Virgin, Deloitte, Walmart and the NHS.