Dr. Adekemi Adeniyan is an award-winning rural dentist, health equity advocate, and social entrepreneur. As Founder of the Dentalcare Foundation and CEO of Smile Superheroes, she innovates health education with projects like Nigeria’s first oral health storybook and a VR initiative reaching 50,000 teens. Recognized with the 2024 West African Leadership Award, Adekemi holds degrees from Ternopil National Medical University and Lancaster University.
Prof. Ademola Adenle is a global expert in sustainability, food security, and agricultural innovation. As Senior Special Adviser to Nigeria’s Agriculture Minister, he has led policies benefiting millions of farmers and youth. He pioneered Africa’s largest GM agriculture project and key climate studies. A Next Einstein Fellow, he holds degrees from Sussex, Nottingham, and Oxford. His groundbreaking research and policy work continue to shape sustainable development across Africa.
Israel, a Nigerian medical practitioner with a disability, won the British Council’s Global Study UK Award (2022) for his work in disability and gender inclusion. A Chevening and Roger Casement Fellow, he holds master’s degrees in Public Health and Disability Law. With global experience across 10+ countries, he has worked with UN agencies, WHO, and the World Bank. Now pursuing a PhD at UCL, his research focuses on assistive technology in humanitarian settings in northern Nigeria.
Dr. Igazeuma Adikema Okoroba is a corporate sustainability leader with 22+ years of experience across multiple sectors. As Group Head of Sustainability at Dangote Cement, she drives ESG and climate action across 10 African countries. A Global Sustainability Standards Board member, she holds degrees from Exeter and Port Harcourt. A 2024 MB100 leader, she champions decolonizing sustainability education and mentoring Africa’s next generation of sustainability professionals.
She is an Associate Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Head of Computer Science at the Federal University Dutse. Her work applies AI and machine learning to energy, climate, cybersecurity, and public health challenges. She studied at the University of Birmingham and Warwick University.
Michael is a founding partner of Turn Partners, a start-up studio focused on the creation of online businesses. He has experience working with academic, corporate and start-up accelerator programs to support training entrepreneurs in sales and scaling businesses. He is a graduate from Aston Business School where he also received an Honorary Doctorate for his contribution to Entrepreneurship and Enterprise at Aston and in Birmingham, making him the youngest honorary doctorate in the UK.
Efe Paul Azino is one of Nigeria’s best-known performance artists and poets. In 2015, he co-founded West Africa's first international poetry festival, the Lagos International Poetry Festival. Efe is the producer of the spoken word poetry theater production "Finding Home"
He has appeared at the Berlin Poetry Festival, Johannesburg Arts Alive Festival and the Ake Book and Arts Festival amongst others. His poems have been translated into Afrikaans, French, German and Mandarin.
Ehi Braimah is a writer, public policy analyst, and media entrepreneur passionate about strategic communication and nation-building. As CEO of Neo Media & Marketing, he leads PR campaigns for multinational clients. He founded Naija Times to drive national reforms and also publishes Lagos Post. A Fellow of NIMN and Deputy President of the Nigerian American Chamber of Commerce, he champions youth development and ethical journalism while mentoring future leaders.
Laura Etemah is a composer, author, and ethnomusicologist transforming African cultural narratives globally. With expertise in music production and platformisation, she mentors emerging artists and amplifies African voices. Holding an MA in Music Production from Leeds Beckett University, her ERC-funded research explores how digital platforms shape African music. As Coach Ellie on TikTok, she democratizes music education, blending tradition with innovation to foster cultural sustainability.
Artist, dancer, choreographer, writer, and director who works primarily across theatre and performance and is increasingly concerned with interactivity, video, sculpture and texture. She has been an artist in residence at the Google Cultural Institute in Paris as part of a residency organized by 89Plus, co-curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist and Simon Castets with Julie Boukobza; at the Villa Empain in Brussels; and at the University of Florida.