Past TEDx event
TEDxMaitama Women
Beyond Self
Speakers
Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.
Amanda Pearl Chukwuma (Qing Madi)
Songwriter and Mental Health Advocate
Amanda Pearl Chukwuma is a Nigerian singer and songwriter widely recognized as one of the most exciting emerging voices in the new generation of African music. With a distinctive vocal tone and emotionally driven songwriting, she blends Afrobeats, R&B, and contemporary pop into a unique sound that resonates with audiences across Africa and internationally. Her music captures themes of love, youth, vulnerability, and empowerment, making her one of the most relatable artists among the new wave of global Afrobeats performers. Through captivating performances, powerful storytelling, and growing international recognition, Pearl continues to establish herself as a major voice in the future of African music.
Dr. Brian Harris
Cosmetic Dentist
Dr. Brian Harris is a leading voice on confidence and personal growth. For more than 20 years, he has worked closely with people navigating moments of change, uncertainty, and self doubt. Through these experiences, he’s seen one pattern clearly: confidence can be built. His work focuses on helping people understand where confidence really comes from and how to build it in a practical, lasting way. Today, he teaches a simple blueprint for strengthening your inner foundation, making clearer decisions, and showing up with greater intention in everyday life.
Dr. Jamila Lawal
Nutritionist and Public Health Expert
Dr. Jamila Lawal is a distinguished nutritionist and public health expert specializing in maternal, child, and adolescent nutrition. She holds a Ph.D. in Nutrition, an MSc in Nutrition, and a Master’s degree in Public Health. As the Founder and Lead Consultant of the Nourish Now Center for Nutrition Development, she is dedicated to empowering communities through evidence-based nutrition education and advocacy. Her influence extends to content creation and brand partnerships, where she champions the education of the girl child and equitable food access. Recognized as a Leading African Woman in Food (LAWIFF) Fellow and listed on the YNaija Power List 2020, Dr. Lawal continues to shape conversations around nutrition, gender, and sustainable development across the continent.
Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu
Founder/CEO, Medicaid Cancer Foundation
Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu is a pediatrician, cancer advocate, and global health leader from Nigeria. She is the First African President-Elect of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)—the world’s largest cancer-focused membership organization and currently serves as the Senior Adviser to the Honourable Minister of Health of Nigeria. She is the Founder and CEO of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation (MCF), which for over 17 years has delivered cancer prevention programs—HPV vaccination, cervical and breast cancer screening, patient navigation, and cancer research—particularly for underserved communities. From 2022-2025, she served as the First Lady of Kebbi State and the Chair of the First Ladies Against Cancer (FLAC), a coalition of governors’ spouses in Nigeria, Dr. Bagudu has amplified the fight against cancer at state and national levels. FLAC launched the FLAC–Roche Cancer Screening Clinics, helped secure a ₦1 billion catalytic pledge to the National Cancer Fund.
Dr. Zainab Yaro
Autism Advocate
Dr. Zainab Yaro is a Medical Doctor, Autism and Behavior Specialist. She is a passionate Child & Special Needs advocate. -She is the Medical Director at Dr. Mims Clinic & Wellness, a Pediatric Hospital which offers a holistic approach to every little human’s medical needs with focus on Preventive Health and intervention services for children with Neurodevelopmental conditions like Autism, ADHD, Cerebral Palsy etc. -She is the founder of Saving Little Humans with Dr. Mims :- a platform that creates awareness on child health & wellness issues and provides Infant/ Child CPR & First aid trainings to care givers and offers it FREE to Orphanages and Public schools. -She is also the author of “My little human’s Personal Health Record” a journal and guide on caring for children from birth to 5years. -She is the Co- founder of Progeny Cerebrum (@progenycerebrum) a unique mentorship community for medics in training.
Ene Ojaide
AI/Data Female Representation Activist
Ene is a Data Scientist, Founder, and AI & Data Coach whose work sits at the intersection of technology, opportunity, and social mobility. Born into an underrepresented community in Benue State of Nigeria, she has built a career defined by audacity navigating motherhood, migration, reinvention, and leadership in the technology sector. She is deeply committed to expanding representation for African women in data and AI, and I use my platforms across education, coaching, and social impact to help others access the opportunities I never had. Her work blends technical expertise with human stories, creating spaces where ambition becomes attainable for those society often overlooks.
Madina Maishanu
Journalist
Madina Maishanu is a senior journalist with BBC, reporting on a wide range of issues for the BBC World Service, including kidnappings and key social challenges in Nigeria. She is known for her hard-hitting interviews where she holds leaders to account. She also hosts a youth-focused Hausa programme called Mahangar Zamani that sparks meaningful conversations and promotes positive societal change. In addition, she leads the social media team for BBC Hausa, driving impactful storytelling across digital platforms. Her work has been recognized with the BBC News Awards 2024 and the Future Awards Africa Prize for Journalism 2025. Passionate about issues affecting youth, children, and women, she is a dynamic young leader and a beacon of hope for Nigeria’s next generation.
Niniola Apata
Performer and Humanitarian
Niniola is an award winning singer and songwriter. She participated in several music competitions and finished third runner-up in the sixth season of Project Fame West Africa. In 2015 Niniola founded her NGO Adopt-A-Childs-Education which she setup in honor of her father to cater to education for the less privileged and also provide educational materials/renovate schools. In 2019 elements of her single MARADONA were sampled on the LION KING "THE GIFT Album" by BEYONCE on the track FIND YOUR WAY BACK as she also appeared as a songwriter and composer of the song, which has gone on to get a Grammy nomination. In April 2020 & June 2021, she received her 1st & 2nd Grammy nomination certificate for her work as a composer on The Lion King: The Gift. In July 2021, Niniola's single, "Maradona" was certified gold in South Africa by the Recording Industry of South Africa RISA. And in 2023 Maradona was certified Platinum in South Africa.
Olukorede Ikazoboh
Managing Director, Virgin Music Nigeria
Olukorede "Kay" Ikazoboh is a pioneering leader in Africa's music industry, championing independent artists and building sustainable creative ecosystems. As Managing Director of Virgin Music Nigeria, she is redefining music distribution by empowering artists to own their content and thrive independently. Her career began at Kimani Moore Entertainment, where she managed breakthrough talents and secured major brand partnerships. She later joined Universal Music Group West Africa as Head of A&R and served as Director of A&R for Emerging Markets (EMEA) at Motown Music Group, discovering and developing African talent for global audiences. Under her leadership, Virgin Music Nigeria has rapidly expanded through strategic partnerships and an artist-first approach, driving a new era of music entrepreneurship and creative innovation across Africa.
Phylisa Dever
Self-Care Coach
Phylisa is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience spanning five successful businesses, including significant investments in commercial real estate. A service-disabled veteran, minister of the gospel, and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, she brings a rare blend of discipline, faith, and real-world insight to her work. She is the founder of PMD Services, a platform delivering impactful ebooks and products across finance, self-care, and health. Through her book The Investor’s Mindset (PMD Press), Phylisa advocates a holistic approach to prosperity—one that integrates wealth creation with purpose, balance, and fulfillment.
Simi Nwogugu
Female Empowerment Champion
Simi is the President & CEO of Junior Achievement (JA) Africa, leading one of the continent’s largest youth-serving non-profits focused on financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. Under her leadership, JA Africa reaches over one million young people annually across 16+ countries. A former Goldman Sachs professional and Harvard Business School MBA graduate, Simi founded JA Nigeria and has been widely recognised for her impact on education and youth development. She is deeply committed to gender equity and is championing an ambitious vision to empower 10 million African girls by 2050 with skills, confidence, and economic opportunity.
Surayyah Ahmad
Founding Partner, Sabou Capital
Surayyah Ahmad is currently the Taskmaster spearheading the operationalization of the Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank (YEIB Investment Funds)—a $300m blended capital vehicle conceptualised by the AfDB and co-owned by the NSIA and Development Bank of Nigeria. YEIB aims to provide financial and technical assistance to youth-led enterprises in Nigeria through wholesale and retail financing. Surayyah is also a Founding Partner at Sabou Capital, which provides funding and technical support to high-growth SMEs in West and Central Africa with a gender lens. She chairs the Laidlaw Foundation Women in Business Board and sits on multiple startup advisory boards.
