Across Nigeria, a new class of entrepreneurs is rewriting the rules of business and innovation. They are not waiting for opportunities to arrive; they are building them from the ground up. From fintech to agriculture, mobility to fashion, governance to gaming, these visionaries are harnessing technology, creativity, and purpose to tackle some of Africa’s most pressing challenges.
What unites them is not just their ambition, but their impact. They are creating jobs, attracting investment, empowering communities, and positioning Nigeria as a hub of ingenuity on the global stage. Their stories highlight a future where solutions are homegrown, scalable, and deeply relevant to the African experience.
This feature profiles Nigeria’s boldest founders; leaders who are proving that innovation is but a force for lasting change.
1. Seyi Adisa
Seyi Adisa, founder of the African Governance Institute for Development (AGID), is championing a new wave of leadership across Africa. With over thirteen years of experience working across both the Executive and Legislative arms of government, combined with a solid legal background, he brings credibility and depth to conversations about governance reform.
At AGID, his mission is to transform leadership pipelines by equipping the next generation with the skills, platforms, and opportunities they need to shape policy and drive sustainable development. His approach reflects a belief that Africa’s long-term progress depends not only on innovation in business and technology but also on the deliberate cultivation of ethical, visionary leaders in public service.
2. Mabel Ikoko
Mabel Ikoko, co-founder of Vireva, is advancing a new vision for accessible care across Africa. With a career spanning product development, business strategy, and healthcare operations, she brings both technical expertise and strategic insight to the urgent conversation about how technology can strengthen fragile health systems.
Drawing on her background in product management and business strategy, Mabel has positioned Vireva as a company committed to both technological advancement and social impact. In doing so, she has helped redefine health technology as more than an industry trend, it is a lifeline for those who need care most.
3. Anjola Adeyemo
Anjola Adeyemo, the co-founder and CEO of CubEx, is simplifying the way Africans interact with digital assets by creating the easiest pathway for businesses and individuals to receive, sell, and spend cryptocurrency directly in their local currency. His mission is to remove the friction and complexity often associated with crypto adoption, ensuring that digital finance feels as seamless as traditional banking.
Anjola’s vision reflects a deep understanding of Africa’s unique financial landscape, where limited access to cross-border payments and volatile exchange systems hinder growth and he is building technology that bridges this gap. With CubEx, he is not only advancing financial inclusion but also positioning Africa as an active participant in the evolving cryptocurrency economy, where access, trust, and simplicity drive adoption at scale.
4. Mayowa Okegbenle
Mayowa Okegbenle, CEO of PressOne Africa, is a seasoned technology entrepreneur with nearly two decades of experience building and scaling startups across multiple sectors. His track record demonstrates a rare consistency: launching every venture he takes on and securing sustainable growth in nine out of ten of them.
With proven expertise spanning product development, strategy, operations, finance, and management, Mayowa has mastered the full cycle of technology entrepreneurship, from ideation to execution. At PressOne Africa, he is leading efforts to simplify business communications, creating tools that empower African enterprises to operate with the same efficiency and professionalism as their global counterparts.
5. Francis Vesta
Francis Vesta, co-founder of Awujo, is shaping the future of digital entertainment and income generation in Nigeria by enabling everyday people to earn from their gaming skills. Through Awujo, he has created a community-driven platform where gaming transcends leisure to become a genuine pathway to financial empowerment and economic opportunity.
With a background that spans financial reporting, management accounting, and over two decades of cross-functional expertise, Francis brings structure, credibility, and strategic foresight to the fast-evolving gaming economy. His vision is anchored in democratizing access to opportunities within the creative and digital industries, ensuring that gamers, regardless of background, can translate their passion into sustainable income.
6. Omomame Imafidon
Omomame Imafidon, founder of Purple Studio Agency, is redefining the intersection of branding, events, and community engagement in Nigeria’s fast-growing creative economy. Through her agency, she is building a platform that helps businesses and individuals craft compelling brand stories while connecting authentically with their audiences.
With expertise in community marketing, digital strategy, and event management, Omomame brings a multifaceted approach to brand building. Purple Studio Agency goes beyond surface-level aesthetics, it creates experiences that resonate, foster loyalty, and drive sustainable growth for clients across diverse industries. Her leadership reflects a belief that branding is not just about visuals, but about cultivating trust and meaningful connections.
7. Raphael Emmanuel
Raphael Emmanuel, founder of Dabar Farms, is advancing food security and agricultural innovation by building a model that combines modern farming practices with community-driven growth. At Dabar Farms, he focuses on producing high-quality crops while integrating technology and sustainable techniques that improve yields and reduce waste.
His work goes beyond farming for profit, he is committed to creating jobs, empowering rural communities, and strengthening Nigeria’s food systems. By emphasizing traceability, efficiency, and inclusivity, Raphael is positioning agriculture not just as a traditional livelihood, but as a strategic driver of economic transformation.
8. Damilola Ogunniyi
Damilola Ogunniyi, founder of Cybadot Technologies, is driving Nigeria’s digital future by building solutions that bridge critical gaps in technology adoption and access. Through Cybadot, he is creating platforms and tools that enable businesses and individuals to leverage technology for growth, security, and efficiency.
His entrepreneurial journey reflects a deep understanding of how innovation can be applied to real-world challenges. From digital infrastructure to emerging tech applications, Damilola focuses on developing scalable systems that not only solve today’s problems but also prepare African enterprises for the future of work and commerce.
9. Ojimaojo Udale-Ameh
Ojimaojo Udale-Ameh, co-founder of CerveApp, is helping African merchants unlock growth by providing them with smart tools to manage sales, inventory, and customer loyalty in one seamless platform. CerveApp’s integrated point-of-sale system not only tracks transactions but also builds long-term customer engagement, enabling small and medium businesses to thrive in competitive markets.
In his role, Ojimaojo leads engineering, technology, and product development, ensuring that the platform is lean, scalable, and responsive to the realities of everyday merchants. He has built and managed an efficient engineering team while maintaining close collaboration with the business side to translate merchant feedback into continuous product innovation.
10. Kenneth Ijama
Kenneth Ijama, founder of SalesUnit, is equipping businesses with data-driven intelligence that sharpens decision-making and unlocks growth opportunities. Through SalesUnit, he has developed systems that allow organizations to capture, store, and analyze vast amounts of data, transforming raw information into actionable insights.
With expertise in Google Analytics, business development, and data visualization, Kenneth brings both technical depth and strategic clarity to the companies he works with. His work includes building data warehouses, designing dashboards, and uncovering trends in customer behavior that help businesses stay competitive and responsive to market demands.
