The Education Innovator

Epaphras Adelabi is a Nigerian-born entrepreneur, business educator, and technology founder based in the United Kingdom. He is the founder of Karisit Digital, a technology company focused on building digital solutions across sectors such as education and financial technology. His work centers on innovation, product strategy, startup development, and digital transformation, with a particular interest in expanding access to technology education in Africa. Adelabi holds a Master's degree in Management from the University of Hertfordshire, where he served as a student representative and was recognized with awards for leadership and student contribution. He is an active member of several technology and entrepreneurship communities and frequently writes and speaks on topics including startups, business strategy, product design, and innovation. His current work includes developing an EdTech platform aimed at improving digital skills and technology education across Africa while mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs and contributing to discussions on the future of business and technology. tekademy.io

Honey Ogundeyi is a Nigerian entrepreneur, technology executive, and business leader. She is the founder of Fashpa, one of Nigeria's pioneering online fashion retail platforms, which she launched in 2014 to make fashion more accessible through e-commerce. Before becoming an entrepreneur, she built an international career with companies including McKinsey & Company, Ericsson, and Google, where she helped develop Google's commercial business in Nigeria. She later served as the founding Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Kuda, one of Africa's leading digital banks, where she played a key role in the company's rapid customer growth. She also served as Country Director of the UK–Nigeria Tech Hub, supporting the growth of Nigeria's technology ecosystem. More recently, she founded Edukoya, an edtech company focused on improving access to quality education across Africa through technology. Honey holds a BSc in Public Policy and Management from the University of Birmingham. She has received numerous recognitions, including being named by Forbes among Africa's emerging women entrepreneurs and by the World Economic Forum as one of Africa's leading innovators. She is widely respected for her leadership in technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation across the continent.

Oreoluwa Lesi is a Nigerian technology entrepreneur, digital inclusion advocate, and social impact leader committed to advancing opportunities for women and girls through technology. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC), a nonprofit organization that empowers girls and women with technology skills, mentorship, and resources to pursue careers and opportunities in the digital economy. Through W.TEC, Oreoluwa has led initiatives that promote digital literacy, coding education, entrepreneurship, and leadership development for young women across Nigeria. Her work focuses on reducing the gender gap in technology by creating pathways for girls to engage with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Oreoluwa is a respected voice in Africa’s technology and social innovation ecosystem, with extensive experience in information technology, program management, and community development. She has received recognition for her contributions to digital empowerment and women’s participation in technology, and she has worked with local and international organizations to advance inclusive access to digital skills. A passionate advocate for gender equity and technology education, Oreoluwa Lesi continues to inspire and equip the next generation of female innovators, helping to build a more inclusive and digitally empowered society.

Precious Chimdimma Ebere is a Nigerian governance and public policy expert, social entrepreneur, and development leader committed to advancing community-driven solutions across Africa. She is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of DO Take Action, a nonprofit organization that equips grassroots leaders with the knowledge, resources, and networks needed to address local development challenges and drive sustainable social impact. With expertise spanning public policy, civic engagement, women's economic empowerment, education, and inclusive development, Precious has led initiatives that have empowered thousands of grassroots changemakers across multiple African countries. Under her leadership, DO Take Action has partnered with governments, multilateral institutions, and international development organizations to implement programs that strengthen community leadership, promote gender equality, and improve livelihoods. A Chevening Scholar, Precious holds a Master's degree in Social and Public Policy from Cardiff University and a Bachelor's degree in Biology Education from the University of Abuja. She has collaborated with organizations including UN Women, the World Bank, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and the Z Zurich Foundation on initiatives focused on governance, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development. Recognized for her leadership in social innovation and public policy, Precious is a sought-after speaker, mentor, and advocate for African-led development. Her work continues to inspire a new generation of changemakers dedicated to creating inclusive, resilient, and thriving communities across the continent.

Dr. Nneka Abulokwe, OBE is a British-Nigerian technology executive, entrepreneur, and corporate board director with more than three decades of experience driving digital transformation, technology innovation, and business leadership across global organizations. She is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of MicroMax Consulting, where she advises organizations on digital strategy, AI governance, cybersecurity, and leadership in an increasingly technology-driven world. Throughout her career, Dr. Abulokwe has held senior executive roles at leading international technology firms, including Atos, Logica (now CGI), and Sopra Steria, delivering large-scale digital transformation programs for governments, financial institutions, and multinational enterprises. She also serves on the boards of several organizations, contributing her expertise in corporate governance, technology, risk management, and innovation. Dr. Abulokwe holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Port Harcourt, a Master's degree from the University of London, and a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) from Cranfield University. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to business and technology, she was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in 2019. A respected international speaker, mentor, and advocate for diversity in technology, Dr. Abulokwe is widely recognized for her work in responsible AI, digital governance, and inclusive leadership. She continues to influence the future of business and technology by helping organizations harness innovation to create sustainable growth and societal impact.

Peace Amaechi is a Nigerian technology entrepreneur, product leader, and career development advocate committed to helping young Africans thrive in the digital economy. She is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of iPathon Technologies Ltd. and the creator of MyCareerMate, a career-tech platform that equips students, graduates, and early-career professionals with the tools, mentorship, and skills needed to make informed career decisions and improve their employability. With a background spanning product management, user experience (UX), artificial intelligence, and digital innovation, Peace has built technology solutions that address the gap between education and the workforce. Through MyCareerMate, she is leveraging technology to provide personalized career guidance, skills development, and job-readiness resources, enabling young professionals to navigate an increasingly competitive employment landscape. Passionate about innovation and youth empowerment, Peace is also a speaker, mentor, and advocate for digital inclusion and women in technology. She actively contributes to conversations on emerging technologies, entrepreneurship, and the future of work, inspiring the next generation of innovators to harness technology for personal and societal impact. Through her leadership, she continues to champion accessible, technology-driven solutions that empower individuals to build meaningful and sustainable careers.

Ope Bukola is a Nigerian-American education technology entrepreneur, product leader, and innovation advocate committed to expanding access to quality technology education for African learners. She is the Co-Founder and CEO of Kibo School, an online learning institution focused on providing affordable, industry-relevant education in computer science and technology to students across Africa. Before founding Kibo School, Ope built a strong career in education technology and product development. She served as a Product Lead at Google Classroom, where she contributed to the growth and improvement of digital learning tools used by millions of educators and students worldwide. She has also held leadership roles in organizations such as Amplify Education and CK-12 Foundation, where she worked on developing and scaling innovative learning solutions. With expertise in product strategy, technology, and education innovation, Ope is passionate about using technology to bridge learning gaps and create pathways to economic opportunity. She is recognized for her work at the intersection of education, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation, and continues to advocate for accessible, future-focused learning models that empower the next generation of African innovators.

Morayo Ojikutu is a Nigerian education technology entrepreneur, social impact leader, and advocate for holistic child development. She is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of FLOW (Future of Learning), an edtech platform focused on helping children develop essential life skills through social-emotional learning, positive psychology, and purpose-driven education. Through FLOW, Morayo is reimagining education beyond traditional academics by equipping young learners with skills such as self-awareness, resilience, confidence, critical thinking, and goal-setting. The platform works with children, parents, and schools to support the development of well-rounded individuals prepared to thrive in school, work, and life. Morayo has been recognized as an emerging leader in Africa’s edtech ecosystem, including being selected among entrepreneurs supported by initiatives such as the Orange Corners Innovation Fund and the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship. Her work reflects a commitment to using technology and innovative learning approaches to improve educational outcomes for young people across Africa. A passionate advocate for personal development and youth empowerment, Morayo continues to champion the future of learning by combining technology, psychology, and education to help children discover their strengths and reach their full potential.

Gideon Olanrewaju has spent over a decade building AREAi from a grassroots education initiative in northern Nigeria into a pan-African organisation operating across three conflict-affected countries. The trajectory from community-level delivery to UNESCO recognition, an Ashoka Fellowship, and a randomised controlled trial validating the FastTrack+ programme reflects a leader who has done the foundational work and earned the evidence to show for it. AREAi is at a stage where the programme model is proven, the institutional credibility is established, and the operational infrastructure spans Nigeria, DRC, and Rwanda, yet the organisation's reach remains constrained by the visibility gap that limits most African-led NGOs regardless of their results. Gideon is also a doctoral researcher at the University of Manchester, investigating technology-assisted learning in refugee contexts, which means his work on the ground and his work in scholarship are informing each other in real time. That combination of practitioner experience, academic rigour, and a track record of operating in some of the most difficult humanitarian environments on the continent is what makes this the right moment for the kind of platform and partnership that Elevate offers.