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2017 Technology Power list

There are powerful young persons under the age of 40 who are getting things done in the brave new world of technology. From serial investors chasing the next big wave to developers and communication leaders.

These people are breaking all the boundaries, let’s look at 10 of them.

1. Iyinoluwa Aboyeji

The founder of the payments startup, Flutterwave may be the most influential person working in technology at the moment. A serial entrepreneur, Aboyeji has been part of initiatives like Bookneto and Fora, before hitting big with Andela, a Zuckerberg-certified global talent accelerator that trains young intelligent Africans to be world-class developers. Aboyeji moved on to float Flutterwave, a fintech company that recently raised funding over $10 million in a Series A funding.

2. Ire Aderinokun

Courtesy: Ynaija

A Frontend developer and user interface designer, Aderinokun who holds degrees in Psychology and Law, is the first female Google development expert in Nigeria. Because of this distinction, Aderinokun has been able to travel the world, sharing her work experiences. Former technical lead at Big Cabal media, Aderinokun runs bitsofcode, a blog dedicated to submissions on technology and front-end development. She presently works as a software developer at eyeo.

3. Sola Akinlade and Ezra Olubi

Online payment trends in Nigeria have been less than impressive, to say the least. Akinlade and Olubi’s Paystack is a promising payment solution that is set on challenging Interswitch’s chokehold on the market. Paystack tries to deliver a safe, modern payment experience for customers and merchants in Africa. Paystack is enlisted into Y Combinator, a major Silicon Valley startup accelerator and has enjoyed seed funding of $120,000.

4. Olaoluwa Awojoodu

Courtesy: Techpoint.ng

A rejection slip from Paypal was the prompter that led Olaoluwa Awojoodu to consider operating his own online financial solutions company. The result of this determination is Electronic Settlement Limited, a financial solutions entity, present in Nigeria and Ghana that delivers payment infrastructure services through a host of companies, CashEnvoy, Paypad and Paycenter, to a wide variety of industries ranging from MSMEs and banks, to governments and multinationals.

5. Olamide Bada

After moving back to Nigeria, Olamide Bada project managed Jumia’s Black Friday event and worked as an operational development manager before she was tapped to run Jumia Food. This position puts her in the difficult position of managing an expanding team that includes a fleet of 100+ delivery riders across Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. Bada sets the strategic direction of the business across all functions including sales, operations and marketing.

6. Roseline Ilori

With degrees from Obafemi Awolowo University, plus a decade experience in IT, Information Systems, Telecommunications and Mobile Communication, Roseline Ilori is the chief executive of MTech Communications. A business strategist and growth catalyst, Roseline acts as EMEA board director for the Mobile Ecosystem Forum (MEF), the global trade body that acts as an impartial and authoritative champion for addressing issues affecting the broadening mobile ecosystem.

7. Fikayo Ogundipe

Finding a house in Lagos can be tough. Dealing with landlords, agents and shady middlemen can be overwhelming. Fisayo Ogundipe’s ToLet which he founded with three of his University classmates is here to make the process a lot smoother. And it is all online. As CEO, Ogundipe has guided the company to raise $240,000 seed funding from Jason Njoku’s Spark and a further $1.2m in a Series A funding round led by the Malaysia-based Frontier Digital Ventures.

8. Oluyomi Ojo

Oluyomi Ojo is one-third of the trio that founded Printivo, an exciting company that leverages cutting edge technology tools to make the printing process more fun and less cumbersome for individuals and corporates alike. Since inception, Printivo has received grants from the federal government’s YouWin programme, as well as Etisalat’s Innovation Award and early-stage technology venture capital firm, EchoVC Partners.

9. Damilola Solesi

Inspired by the Toy Story film, Damilola Solesi took her passion for animation into a business enterprise, setting up the SMIDS animation studios, a company that creates 3D computer animation, content production, motion graphics and visual effects. A Mandela Washington Fellow, Solesi co-founded Women R.I.S.E, a platform that inspires women to pursue interests in technology through collaboration, networking, training, mentorship, and funding opportunities.

10. Bosun Tijani

Would there be a vibrant tech culture in Nigeria without the Co-Creation Hub? Perhaps, but none can deny the overall influence that CcHUB continues to wield from its Yaba location. Started by Bosun Tijani and Femi Longe, Co-Creation hub remains the biggest and most influential ideas hub in the country. From BudgIT to the Relearn centre in Abuja, some of the finest and most influential IT projects in Nigeria have been conceived or developed at the hub.

September 13, 2017
Who made 2017 Youth Powerlist for Policy?

For every country,state,or organised structure, there is the need for policy makers. These are people who understand the intrigues involved in the running of the structure,research and analyse the structure and make appropiate decisions based on it. From dynamic state commissioners manning important ministries to leaders in NGOs and public policy, these 10 voices are truly influential.

The good thing is that, most organised structures have young people in charge of this sensitive and important area,to this end, YNaija gives its annual ranking of the most powerful young persons under the age of 40 who are getting things done in policy and research.

Muhammad Sani Abdullahi

When Mallam Nasir El-Rufai took over the reins of Kaduna state, he brought along with him, Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, a development economist and public policy specialist. With his over 12 year experience in development policy, finance and project implementation, including a stint at the United Nations Secretary General’s office, Abdullahi comes fully qualified to take on the state ministry of Budget and Planning which he oversees as commissioner.

Ife Adebayo

It is Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s responsibility to kickstart the economy and he has developed a special interest in entrepreneurship and improving the ease of doing business in Nigeria. Ife Adebayo, as Special Assistant on Innovation & Entrepreneurship to Osinbajo has the challenge of advising on strategies to make these reforms happen. He has worked on programs like the Mark Zuckerberg co-signed Aso Villa Demo Day which had young persons pitching startup ideas to the presidency.

Betta Edu

Betta Edu became the youngest serving special adviser when she was appointed to advise Cross River state Governor Ben Ayade on Community and Primary Health Care. A 2010 graduate of the University of Calabar where she bagged her MBBS degree, Edu was later appointed director general of the state primary health care development agency. She has a Master’s degree in Public Health in developing countries from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Asuquo Ekpenyong

Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River state surprised not a few when he named Asuquo Ekpenyong Commissioner for Finance. He didn’t just stop there, though. Ekpenyong was soon announced MD Tinapa Business & Leisure and giving the mandate to turn Nigeria’s biggest tourism export business around. He holds a Msc. Distinction in International Banking and Financial Services from the University of Reading and has worked successfully in the private sector.

Akin Oyebode

Lagos Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s grand plan to tackle the state’s rising unemployment rests on the shoulders of Akintunde Oyebode, pioneer Executive Secretary of the newly created Employment Trust Fund. Oyebode is in charge of an annual 6.25 billion naira war chest in this battle for wealth creation and is tasked with the responsibility of distributing the funds evenly to qualified entrepreneurs and artisans who have passed through a credible, transparent process.

Nneka Eze

Nneka Eze leads Dalberg’s work in Nigeria as a partner and Lagos office director. An alumnus of Harvard University, Eze has worked with private corporations, state governments, and foundations on strategic planning, market analysis, investment planning, and performance transformation. She has focused on a range of sectors including agriculture, education and youth employment, financial services, and inclusive growth, she co-manages Dalberg’s Global Agriculture and Food Security practice area.

Bell Ihua

Armed with a doctorate degree from Kent Business School, Bell Ihua is the chief executive officer at NOIPolls, Nigeria’s premiere opinion polling and research company, created by former Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Ihua’s NOIPolls has been at the forefront of many national conversations, using scientific based research techniques to feel the pulse of the people and submit empirical evidence for government and citizen interventions.

Ifeoma Malo

Malo has an Eisenhower fellow, a Desmond Tutu fellow, an African Leadership fellow and a Crans Montana New Leaders fellow. She has served as senior technical adviser and special assistant to former ministers, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Chinedu Nebo. She is presently the country director of Power For All, an international organisation that builds platforms and collaborations for distributed power. Malo also founded Clean Technology Hub, a distributed renewable energy services firm.

Shola Molemodile

This University of Jos trained medical doctor is the Managing Director of Direct Consulting and Logistics, a health management consulting firm providing research and implementation support for primary health care in Nigeria. Major clients of DCL include the Johns Hopkins International Vaccine Access Centre and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency. Molemodile has a combined Master’s degree in Health Policy Finance and Planning from the London Schools of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Economics.

Mark Okoye

Mark Okoye may be called a ‘’30-year-old boy’’ by Governor Willie Obiano who appointed him Commissioner for Economic Planning, Budget and Development Partners in Anambra but it is clear that Okoye has earned the appointment, having worked in different capacities like Senior Special Assistant on Investments and member of the state Economic Think-Tank. Before Okoye was named commissioner, he was a Special Adviser to the Governor in the ministry he now heads.

September 12, 2017
Culture: 2017 Nigeria’s Youth Ambassadors

Its the sixth consecutive year,and YNaija brings you its annual ranking of the most powerful young persons under the age of 40 who are getting things done in the culture space. From impressive art gallery owners to editors, visual artists to curators, these bright young things have taken up the onerous task of preserving our heritage. And guess what,they make it all seem like fun too.

Lets take a look at them:

1.Omolabake Adenle

A National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow from Cambridge University where she bagged a PhD in Bayesian Signal Processing, Omolabake Adenle is the founder of Aja.la Studios, a company that builds natural language & speech processing applications for African languages. She designed a voice recognition and speech synthesis software that can understand and digitize spoken African languages. This work has gotten her shortlisted for the Innovation Prize for Africa.

Osa Seven

The urban GFX and graffiti artist, and founder of A2 Creative born Osa Osunkpolor but better known as Osa Seven is aiming for iconic status with his colorful images, brand designs, abstract and tribal art designs. In 2016, he put together The 7th Element, the first ever graffiti exhibition in Nigeria. Together with Socially Africa, Osa Seven co-founded Art For A Cause, an initiative that uses art to inspire children. With the #EkoTag project, his indelible images portray a history of Lagos in strategic city locations.

Efe Paul Azino

If spoken word poetry is considered more accessible these days, then Efe Paul Azino has played a pivotal part in lifting the words from the page and giving them life. A headline performer at the most renowned performance venues,- locally and internationally, Azino is the founder of the Lagos International Poetry Festival and serves as director of poetry at the annual Lagos Book and Art Festival. He is also the producer of Nigeria’s first spoken word poetry theater production, Finding Home.

Wana Udobang

Since leaving a steady gig at Inspiration FM, Wana Udobang has unspooled an offbeat career that has been exciting in its nonconformity and impressive in impact. She could be reporting on sexual abuse for Al Jazeera or on sickle cell disease for the Guardian UK in one breath or launching an album of spoken word poetry the next. Whether she is launching a series of interviews titled Culture Diaries, or travelling to international festivals to perform her work, Udobang’s influence keeps on soaring.

Bovi Ugboma

Bovi

After two years away, Bovi returned in 2017 with the third edition of Man on Fire, his solo comedy stand up show and it was obvious by the industry’s response that there is still room for his brand of comedy. While he was away from the Eko Hotels stage, Bovi spent some time touring the world and trying out his material on new audiences. He also made the leap to the big screen and proved he possesses leading man credentials with the 2016 romantic comedy film, It’s Her Day.

Dami Ajayi

A poet, writer, music critic and psychiatrist in training, Dami Ajayi wears many hats at once. He is a co-founder and fiction editor of Saraba magazine, an online literary publication founded in 2009 that has emerged one of the most influential platforms for fresh, talented writers from around the continent. Ajayi also deploys his services to Olisatv blogazine where he contributes essays and reviews of contemporary music.

Quddus Onikeku

Quddus Onikeku concluded studies in France in 2009 and his career has been one huge ball of motion ever since. A widely travelled dancer/choreographer, Onikeku founded the QDance Center, a hub that helps kick start the careers of young people interested in dance. He was artistic director for the first Lagos Contemporary Dance Festival and was part of the first Nigerian showcase at the Venice Biennale, the Olympics of the art world. His QTribe put up a stunning performance this year at TED Global in Tanzania.

Jite Efemuaye

Home to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who needs no introduction, and publishers of recent bestselling and award winning titles such as And after many days (Jowhor Ile), On Becoming (Toke Makinwa) and Against the run of play (Olusegun Adeniyi), Kachifo Limited, founded by Mukhtar Bakare, is the premiere publishing house in the country. And Jite Efemuaye is the person who oversees the day to day running of the various imprints under the awards heavy umbrella.

Zara Udofia and Toritseju Ejoh

A couple at work and home, Zara Udofia and Toritseju Ejoh are performing actors and theatre lovers who co-manage Oxzygen Koncepts and productions, a production company that has brought to the stage, plays such as Waiting for a Lottery for the British Council’s Lagos Theatre Festival and local revivals of A Husband’s Wife and The Mistress of Wholesome. Oxzygen Koncepts just concluded a month long run of Wole Soyinka’s King Baabu.

Adenrele Sonariwo

Nigeria participated for the first time at the storied Venice Biennale and Adenrele Sonariwo played a pivotal role, acting as one of the curators of the country’s pavilion. She did not come to this role by chance. Sonariwo left a promising corporate career to focus on her passion, Rele gallery, a cultural and contemporary art space that offers art for public consumption, nurturing creators and bringing their work to the attention of a larger, global audience.

September 12, 2017
#YNAIJA: See the 2017 Fashion and beauty powerlist

For the sixth year running, the annual ranking of the most powerful young persons under the age of 40, who are getting things done in the social media space, according to Ynaija, is out again.

From designers breaking boundaries and taking local international to a fashion forward editor seeking diversity in images, these are the 10 that matter.

Let’s look at the list:

1.Richard Akuson

Richard Akuson has worked with Ade Bakare, blogged for BellaNaija.com, and written

for Cosmopolitan and Marie Claire. He is founder at The PR Boy, a boutique media and press relations agency, but perhaps his most pivotal move yet has been starting the online magazine, A Nasty Boy. Akuson’s work as editor and publisher of A Nasty Boy has been quite radical, as his gender bending, diverse editorials seek for an otherness in fashion, people and culture that lies just shy of the mainstream.

2.Ezinne Chinkata

You either know fashion or you don’t. Ezinne Chinkata knows the work. A foremost celebrity stylist, she has worked with several A-listers and has a knack for taming even the most offbeat of designers. She runs Zinkata, which is divided into three arms. Boutique Zinkata is a ready to wear store that stocks Nigerian designs such as Gozel Green and Meena, Zinkata.com is her fashion and e-retail website while Zinkata Consultancy offers fashion styling and consultancy services to her exclusive clientele.

3.Jane Michael Ekanem

Jane Michael Ekanem has worked with celebrities, Tiwa Savage and Yemi Alade amongst other heavies. She is the stylist of the long running MTN Project Fame West Africa and was the assistant head fashion stylist at the GTBank Fashion Week 2016. Ekanem also styles for the TV show Seriously Speaking, hosted by Adesuwa Onyenokwe. Her new web show, Revamp Your Style which has her dishing out the goods launched in June last year.

4.Bolajo Fawehimi

A former model, Bolajo Fawehimi launched her own agency, Few Models in 2015 and in a short space of time has managed to make her agency the place to be by snapping up the freshest and brightest faces working the scene today. Few models (Olamide Ogundele, Myever Akindele amongst others,) are in high demand and are collectively amassing a formidable portfolio that is set to ensure the agency becomes a major player in the very nearest future. Few Teen, a subsidiary, mentors up and coming models.

5.Tokyo James

Designer, editor and creative director, Tokyo James was lured back to Nigeria from his erstwhile London base to oversee the digital direction of True Tales, publishers of Complete Fashion. He has also done some editorial work for MADE magazine and House of Tara. His eponymous brand, fashioned for the modern man who’s into simplicity with an edge is nominated to represent Nigeria at the World Fashion Expo at the Louvre Museum in Paris in November. James is the creative director for Access Bank’s online TV platform Accelerate TV.

6.Toyin Lawani

Not content with being one of the country’s top fashion stylists, with a client roster that has housed Funke Akindele, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage and Banky W, Toyin Lawani has been aggressively building and marketing her Tiannah’s empire, one that has seen her take on different roles such as designer, manager, spokesperson, reality television star and provocateur, sometimes all at once. Her style and presence may be too loud for conservatives but her hustle and drive are nothing but real.

7.Iroghama Obuoforibo

For the Nigerian woman, hair is identity. And Iroghama B. Obuoforibo is a leading voice in that conversation through Hairven. Established in 2010, Obuoforibo’s passion for hair has led to the creation of specific products for natural and textured hair, as well as extensions and other accessories. Obuoforibo won the first season of the MTN business reality show ‘The Next Titan’, and runs two Hairven bars in Lagos. Hairven Haircare has retailers in Port and most of West Africa.

8.Olajide Okerayi

The country’s biggest male professional makeup artiste is Olajide Okerayi. As creative director of his own brand, Jide of St. Ola, Okerayi has worked with everyone. By everyone, we mean everyone. From celebrities to business leaders, political titans to girl next door types, Okerayi is in relentless demand, present at every photo shoot of note and at every wedding that can afford his services. Jide of St. Ola recently joined forces with House of Tara to create The King, a new range of beauty dust.

9. Amaka Osakwe

When your designs are constantly worn and endorsed by leading ladies such as Michelle Obama, Beyonce, Lady Gaga and Kerry Washington, it really doesn’t get bigger than that. Founder and creative director of the near iconic, much copied design label, Maki Oh, Amaka Osakwe, remains one of the biggest names in fashion. The classic Maki Oh design blends Nigerian craftsmanship and source material with Western silhouettes, using the classic Nigerian art of adire (cloth dyeing).

10.Olatorera Oniru

Oniru has a background in investment and finance, having worked with Bank of America and General Electric but she bypassed a career in the corporate world for the demanding zone of fashion entrepreneurship. Oniru started Dressme Outlet in 2015 and has built it into a formidable outfit, with a customer base spanning Africa and the United States. Dressme Outlet’s offline exhibition event, Cocktail and dresses, a showcase of made-in-Africa products has become a mini fashion industry event.

September 8, 2017