TEDxAbuja

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

• Ayotola Jagun

  Governance Expert, Legal Practitioner

  Ms. Ayotola Jagun is a seasoned legal and governance professional with over three (3) decades of experience spanning the professional services, financial services, and energy sectors. She brings deep expertise in corporate governance, regulatory compliance, enterprise risk management, and sustainability. A dual-qualified lawyer, she is a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales. A respected voice in governance circles, her professional credentials include Fellowships of the Corporate Governance Institute, the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria, and the Chartered Institute of Directors (Nigeria), as well as membership of the Nigerian Bar Association. These affiliations reflect her unwavering commitment to ethical business practices, sound corporate governance, stakeholder engagement, and industry collaboration.

• Chika Uwazie

  Writer, Speaker, Cultural Commentator

  Chika Uwazie is a globally recognized writer, speaker, and cultural commentator helping a generation navigate identity shifts, emotional reinvention, and the quiet grief of becoming someone new. Her work lives at the intersection of emotional clarity, soft power, and soulful storytelling, offering language for the feelings so many high achievers were never taught to name. She is best known for giving voice to timeline grief -- a phrase she introduced to capture the silent mourning that happens when life doesn't go as planned, and a guide for those learning how to begin again, especially in the midst of transition. Chika has built a digital platform of over 500,000+ deeply engaged readers, listeners, and followers, with her essays, interviews, and podcast clips reaching millions across the diaspora. She is the co-host and creative force behind The Afropolitan Podcast, one of Africa's top-ranked shows exploring identity, legacy, and reinvention with iconic voices from across the globe.

• Folarin 'Falz' Falana

  Lawyer, Musician, Actor

  Folarin 'Falz' Falana is a Nigerian rapper, songwriter, and actor known for his unique music style and bold political messages. His career spans hit albums, notable collaborations, and acting achievements, alongside his commitment to addressing societal issues. He is famous for blending hip-hop with Afrobeats and his witty, socially conscious lyrics, often rapping in a unique Yoruba-accented style and addressing Nigerian political issues through his music and acting

• Nela Ekpenyong

  Conservationist, Investor & Philanthropist

  Nela Duke Ekpenyong is an investor, award-winning conservationist, philanthropic advisor, and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience driving large-scale growth and development initiatives across Africa. With a deep passion for sustainability, innovation, and economic empowerment, she has played a pivotal role in shaping Africa’s investment and conservation landscape. She is the co-founder of LEGA.C Capital, a multi-family office, and oversees Obudu Capital, a $20 million climate tech fund dedicated to accelerating climate adaptation through innovative solutions. Beyond investing, Nela is a champion for conservation. Through the Obudu Conservation Centre, she advances environmental research and community development on the Obudu Plateau, protecting vital ecosystems while empowering local communities. She's a Global Ambassador for Wild Africa, a leading wildlife fund engaging policymakers and influencers to champion conservation efforts across the continent.

• Tejumola Maurice-Diya

  Fashion Historian

  Tejumola is the Principal of The Fashioned Museum, a platform devoted to preserving and celebrating the heritage of African fashion through storytelling, curation, and cultural documentation. As an African Fashion Historian and Storyteller, she explores the intersection of fashion, culture, and identity—documenting the evolution of African style while amplifying the voices shaping its future. Her work bridges tradition and innovation, ensuring that Africa’s fashion story is seen as a vital part of the global creative conversation. She is also the host of Bridging The Gap, a podcast and event series that connects veteran and emerging designers, as well as African creatives and the global market. Through this platform, Tejumola continues to foster dialogue, visibility, and cultural exchange within the fashion ecosystem. Her vision remains clear: to see African fashion recognised as a thriving cultural force—one deeply valued for its artistry, craftsmanship, and historical depth.

• Tolani Alli

  Documentary Photographer & Storyteller

  Tolani Alli is a visionary force in the world of visual storytelling. Her work, featured by CNN, the United Nations, BBC News, World Press, and The Guardian (UK), does not just capture images, it captures the essence of pivotal moments and the complex global issues they represent. Her coverage of the Niger Delta oil spill for The Guardian is just one example of how she uses her lens to illuminate stories that need to be told. Tolani serves the senior leadership team of the World Bank Group headed by the President of the World Bank as a storyteller, documenting and shaping the institution’s visual narrative at the highest levels. Her work focuses on capturing and amplifying the human face of development while protecting institutional memory and documenting leadership in action on the global stage.

• Vivianne Ihekweazu

  Health Policy & Communications Leader

  Vivianne Ihekweazu is the Managing Director of Nigeria Health Watch, a health communication and advocacy organisation advancing equitable access to healthcare in Nigeria. She leads the organisation’s strategic direction and oversees the design and implementation of health communication and advocacy campaigns for governments, non-profits, and development partners. She played a key role in Nigeria’s COVID-19 emergency communications, supporting the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). With 20 years+ experience, she previously worked with leading communications and research agencies across Europe and Africa in the development & media sectors. She holds an MBA from the University of Pretoria’s Gordon Institute of Business Science, an MSc in Development Economics from the University of Sussex, and an MSc in Global Health Policy from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. She is also an African Public Health Leaders Fellow at the Centre for Universal Health, Chatham House.

• Wande Thomas

  Media Entrepreneur & Film Director

  Wande Thomas is the Founder and Creative Director of Urbangidi, a leading African creative media and film company that houses Madeaux Africa (Menisms, Peeker) and Urbangidi Showtime. A storyteller, communications expert, and acclaimed TV and film director, he has shaped some of the continent’s most impactful modern stories. His filmography includes Lara of Lagos, Napped, The Smart Money Woman (Season 2), Under the Influence (Showmax Original, 2024), and Close of Business (Africa Magic, 2025). Before film, Wande crafted campaigns for major brands and produced Falz’s globally recognized video This is Nigeria. He fuses creativity with structure, applying people, process, and technology to storytelling. A firm believer in African self-sufficiency, Wande uses film and media to reimagine the modern African identity. His work sits at the crossroads of creativity, culture, and strategy, challenging brands, audiences, and creators to think deeper about who we are and what we can become.

• Wole Abu

  Technology & Telecommunications Leader

  Wole Abu is a pioneering technology and telecommunications leader, currently serving as Managing Director for West Africa at Equinix. With over two decades of executive experience, he has held pivotal roles, including CEO positions at Liquid Intelligent Technologies Nigeria and Pan African Towers, where he drove significant digital infrastructure development across Africa. Recognised among the Top 50 Digital Economy Leaders and Most Influential Black CEOs, Abu holds an MBA from Lagos Business School and remains committed to bridging Africa's digital divide through sustainable technological solutions.