From Abuja to Washington, the conversation around artificial intelligence (AI) and digital governance is increasingly interconnected.
Nigerian lawyer and technology policy expert, Timi Paul Olagunju, is now at the centre of that global dialogue following his selection as one of 20 fellows for the 2025 Public Voices Fellowship on Technology in the Public Interest.
The fellowship, a collaboration between the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and The OpEd Project, convenes experts whose work addresses the social impacts of technology.
Each fellowship position is highly competitive, awarded to individuals whose voices can influence both national and international conversations on tech and society.
African perspectives in global tech debates
Olagunju’s inclusion highlights the growing importance of African perspectives in shaping global technology policy.
He is Founder of the AI Literacy Foundation and Youths in Motion, and Partner at Timeless Practice, as well as a 2025 Edward Mason Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School.
In Nigeria, Olagunju has contributed to the Startup Act and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR). He has led coalitions defending digital rights and provided insights to the U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) on AI education, influencing Executive Order 14277.
“This fellowship is an opportunity to bring experiences from emerging economies directly into global debates on AI, democracy, and youth development,” Olagunju said.
The 2025 cohort includes researchers, journalists, and advocates from leading U.S. universities and institutions. Members focus on issues ranging from digital civil rights and AI governance to climate resilience and health equity.
For instance, health equity advocate Oni Blackstock examines how digital tools affect disparities in care, while Krystal Kauffman explores power dynamics behind AI systems. Digital rights leaders like Nicole Ozer and Julie Wenah push for legal protections against surveillance and algorithmic bias.
Academics such as Princeton’s Marianne Aubin Le Quéré and Catherine Nakalembe from the University of Maryland use research and remote sensing to inform policy on climate and food security.
Bringing Nigeria’s youth perspective to the table
Within this network, Olagunju represents the perspective of a rapidly growing democracy, where young people adopt technology quickly but are often excluded from policy-making. Through the AI Literacy Foundation, he educates teenagers, university students, and early-career professionals on AI, digital rights, and civic participation.
“Decisions made in Washington or San Francisco influence a student in Lagos or a farmer in East Africa,” Olagunju said. His work ensures that African experiences shape global rules on AI and digital rights.
Global relevance
As technology policies in the United States often become de facto global standards, Olagunju’s participation guarantees that voices from Nigeria are part of defining the future of digital governance. His appointment signals that Africa’s young, dynamic population has a seat at the table in international technology policy debates.
The fellowship, which runs for a year, will see Olagunju collaborate with international peers to reimagine how societies harness technology for public good, ensuring that African insights are central to shaping global tech norms.