Tag: Founder & Executive Director

Zenith Bank Tech Fair 5.0 awards N140m to Hackathon winners

A total cash prize of ₦140 million has been awarded to ten (10) African innovators to scale their transformative solutions after a keenly contested hackathon and pitch session at the Fifth Edition of the Zenith Tech Fair, themed “Future Forward 5.0: Tech for Success – Innovate, Adapt, Accelerate”, which held on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

A statement from the bank said the 2025 edition of the Zenith Tech Fair featured an expanded, dual-competition structure that included a high-stakes Hackathon for product development and a Startup Pitch Competition for early-stage ventures, and drew participation from thousands of developers, founders, and entrepreneurs across the continent.

The prize money was shared among ten finalists who emerged from the over 2,000 contestants that took part in the Zecathon. In the hotly contested final, two major winners emerged, each receiving the top prize of ₦30 million. The winner of the Hackathon, Trust Loop, clinched first place for its innovative solution that delivers seamless digital KYC and liveness verification. Simultaneously, the winner of the Startup Pitch Competition, Cubbes Technologies Limited, secured the top spot for its revolutionary AI-powered EdTech platform that enhances learning and career readiness.

The remaining eight (8) finalists across both categories were equally recognised, each receiving ₦10 million in non-dilutive funding. They include Venille Ltd, Sowota, FLOW, InvoPay, Zenith Intelliscore, The Very Hacked Men, Konfam and Zerax. All ten finalists will also be entitled to a six-week mentorship and incubation programme designed to help them grow and scale effectively, and this will run from December 2025 to February 2026.

The Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, Dame Dr Adaora Umeoji, OON, in her welcome address, thanked the Founder & Chairman, Dr Jim Ovia, CFR, for the visionary foresight that led to the creation of the Zenith Tech Fair. Commenting on the Zecathon, she said, “Our theme this year, ‘Tech for Success: Innovate, Adapt, Accelerate’, is very timely. To appreciate its urgency, it helps to reflect on the speed of human progress. According to the Harvard Business Review, it took humanity millions of years to master fire, yet only 66 years to move from the first powered flight to landing on the moon. The lesson is simple – the next technological breakthrough will not take a lifetime. It will emerge sooner than we expect and could come from any one of you in this room today. We are confident that this Tech Fair will produce innovators who will change the world, and we stand ready to support you to turn your ideas into reality.”

In his Goodwill Message, the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, CFR, said, “This fifth edition reflects our unwavering commitment to create value through technology, innovation, and talent development. My vision is to continue to empower the youth through technology, with the hope that one day we will produce the likes of Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos.”

Whilst delivering his goodwill message, the Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, called for increased technological empowerment initiatives to provide youths with adequate opportunities needed to thrive in the digital future. He said, “What I see happening here every year are things that we in leadership need to connect with. This is an activation that can bring life and real conversation to the young, dynamic, innovative, and creative young people that we have in this country. By 2050, half of the youth population in the world will be in Africa, and even in Africa, they will be in Nigeria, and if they are in Nigeria, they will be somewhere in Lagos, and we need to be able to fish them out. We need to give them an opportunity and a space to fly. We want to make Lagos the human capital centre of the world, where Microsoft and Google will think of raising a million tech experts. That’s the kind of vision and opportunity we want to leave behind.”

Hailed as a resounding success by participants, the Fair showcased cutting-edge demonstrations on the role of Generative AI, Agentic AI, and Cloud Computing in driving economic growth with Keynote addresses delivered by Sitoyo Lopokoiyit, Managing Director, M-PESA Africa; Jonas Kjellberg, Co-Creator, Skype and Dr. Shivagami Gugan, Chief Technologist for Middle East, Turkey and Africa, AWS.

The event also featured goodwill messages by the National Commissioner, Nigeria Data Protection Commission, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, and the cably represented by the Head of Service, Niger State, Mr. Abubakar Sadiq Idris.

Another key feature from the tech fair this year was the robust exclusive masterclasses delivered by global technology and consulting powerhouses: McKinsey & Company, Huawei, Check Point, and Microsoft. These sessions covered critical topics from cybersecurity to advanced cloud solutions and disruptive technologies, equipping participants with world-class insights.

Aside from the thrilling musical performance by Nigerian musician Spyro, the fair also featured dual-panel sessions that were very insightful and highly interactive. The panel sessions both had Zain Asher, CNN Anchor, as host, and featured high-level discussants including Adaora Nwodo, Founder & Executive Director, NexaScale; Aisha Tofa, Board Chair, Startup Kano Centre for Innovation Dev.; David Kpakima, CoFounder, Rasab Group, Sierra Leone; Dr Stanley Jacob, President, FINTECHNGR; Iyinoluwa S. Aboyeji, CEO Future Africa; Gary Fowler, CEO & Founder GSD Venture Studios; Bradwin Roper, Chief Payments & Partnerships Officer at JUMO, and Mrs. Omoyemen A. Jide Samuel, Director, Information Technology, CBN.

Zenith Bank remains committed to fostering an ecosystem where innovation thrives, ensuring that the next generation of African tech leaders have the capital, mentorship, and resources required to achieve global scalability and impact.

The Bank’s track record of excellent performance has continued to earn the brand numerous awards, including being recognised as the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital for the sixteenth consecutive year in the 2025 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking, published by The Banker and “Nigeria’s Best Bank” at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025.

The Bank was also awarded Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards for 2020, 2022 and 2024; Best Bank in Nigeria from 2020 to 2022, 2024 and 2025, in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards; Best Bank for Digital Solutions in Nigeria in the Euromoney Awards 2023; and was listed in the World Finance Top 100 Global Companies in 2023.

Further recognitions include Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria for five consecutive years from 2021 to 2025 in the World Finance Banking Awards and Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria in the International Banker 2023 and 2024 Banking Awards.

Additionally, Zenith Bank has been acknowledged as the Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria, in the World Finance Corporate Governance Awards for four consecutive years from 2022 to 2025 and ‘Best in Corporate Governance’ Financial Services’ Africa for four consecutive years from 2020 to 2023 by the Ethical Boardroom.

The Bank’s commitment to excellence led to Zenith being also named the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria in The Banker’s Top 500 Banking Brands for 2020 and 2021, Bank of the Year 2023 to 2025 at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards, and Retail Bank of the Year for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022 and 2024 to 2025.

The Bank also received the accolades of Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria and Best Innovation in Retail Banking, Nigeria, in the International Banker 2022 Banking Awards, Bank of the Year 2024 by ThisDay Newspaper; Bank of the Year 2024 by New Telegraph Newspaper; and Best in MSME Trade Finance, 2023 by Nairametrics. The Bank’s Hybrid Offer was also adjudged ‘Rights Issue/ Public Offer of the Year at the Nairametrics Capital Market Choice Awards 2025.

Zenith Bank has also bagged several non-financial awards, including Most Responsible Organisation in Africa, Best Company in Transparency and Reporting and Best Company in Gender Equality and Women Empowerment at the SERAS CSR Awards Africa 2024.

November 24, 2025
Nigeria’s Olanrewaju Oniyitan, Hakeem Subair, and Josiah Olusegun Ajiboye named Finalists for Africa Education Medal 2024

…founded by T4 Education and HP, the Africa Education Medal is Africa’s most prestigious education accolade

Nigeria’s Olanrewaju Oniyitan, Founder and Executive Director of SEED Care & Support Foundation, Hakeem Subair, Founder and CEO of 1 Million Teachers (1MT), and, Josiah Olusegun Ajiboye, Registrar and Chief Executive of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, have been named among the ten Finalists for the Africa Education Medal 2024. Founded by T4 Education and HP, the Africa Education Medal is Africa’s most prestigious education accolade.

The Africa Education Medal recognises the tireless work of those who are transforming education across the continent – celebrating the stories of those who have lit the spark of change so others will be inspired to take up the torch. It is given to an outstanding individual who has demonstrated impact, leadership, and advocacy in the field of education.

The winner of this year’s Africa Education Medal will be invited to attend the World Schools Summit in Dubai on 23-24 November and, in recognition of the urgent need to solve the teacher recruitment and retention crisis to tackle learning gaps, the winner will be entitled to nominate a school of their choice to receive membership of T4 Education’s Best School to Work programme – an independent, evidence-based mechanism to certify schools for their culture and help them transform their working environment to attract and retain the best teachers.

Olanrewaju Oniyitan is Founder and Executive Director of SEED Care & Support Foundation in Nigeria, a non-profit that supports the affordable non-state education sector to deliver access to quality education for all children by providing advocacy, evidence and a learning network. A consultant, entrepreneur, author, and speaker with over two decades of experience focusing on creating wealth, jobs, and economic growth in Africa, she believes in the transformative power of education in achieving all other Sustainable Development Goals.

Her work seeks to address the challenge that half of Nigeria’s population is under 19 years old, yet many lack access to quality education. Over 20 million are out of school and 70% of children in school are experiencing learning poverty. She believes the affordable non-state sector (low-fee private schools, faith-based schools, community schools, alternative learning centres) plays an indispensable role, in tandem with the government, in expanding access to education and improving learning outcomes and SEED Care & Support Foundation supports this sector to help build a world where all children no matter their background have access to quality education.

The organisation amplifies the role of the affordable non-state sector by giving it a seat at the policy table, working through partnerships to shape system-wide change. It designs, pilots, monitors and adapts innovations, models, concepts and frameworks to local contexts for learning and scale, using the evidence to mobilise and persuade strategic actors to pay attention to the affordable non-state sector both locally, in Africa and around the world.

The organisation also strengthens and grows the affordable non-state sector to enhance the quality of education it offers through its collaborative community, school transformation programme, finance, communities of practice and curated learning experiences.

Oniyitan’s organisation aims to impact 20,000 affordable non-state schools/centres towards transforming the lives of 1 million children across Nigeria by 2035.

Oniyitan’s extensive experience as an international development expert has led her to work with organisations and projects funded by FCDO, World Bank, GIZ, OXFAM, Stanford University, African Development Bank (AfDB), Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, amongst others.

She has won multiple awards and recognitions including: Top 50 African Women In Development 2024, Outstanding Service to Humanity 2022, Service Excellence Award 2022, Nigerian Education Outliers 2020, Obama Foundation African Leader 2019, Edu-Gladiator Award 2018, and Award of Excellence in Entrepreneurship Development 2018.

Hakeem Subair, is the Founder and CEO of 1 Million Teachers (1MT), and a prominent figure in educational innovation. His extensive academic background includes a master’s degree in Management Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Queen’s University and a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Business from the University of Windsor, alongside a Bachelor of Finance from the University of Ilorin, Nigeria. An Edtech Fellow at Cambridge University/HP Partnership for Education, Subair’s accolades include numerous academic awards and membership in the Golden Key International Honour Society. He has also served as an adjunct professor, teaching courses in Innovation and Change Management, and Artificial Intelligence and Entrepreneurship.

1 Million Teachers was inspired by Subair’s personal experience of the challenges in finding quality education for his daughter in Nigeria. This led to the establishment of their own school in 2008, revealing the systemic issues within the Nigerian education system, particularly the lack of qualified teachers. Driven by this realisation, Subair founded 1MT to transform education.

1MT aims to create a wave of highly trained, innovative educators capable of driving grassroots change. Despite numerous challenges, the organisation has trained over 60,000 educators across more than 20 countries, indirectly impacting approximately 4 million students. This growth underscores the founding vision and the resilience of the 1MT community.

One of 1MT’s flagship initiatives is the Blackbelt Program, a teacher training model inspired by martial arts. Educators progress through various levels of mastery by completing online courses, mentoring sessions, and community projects. This programme covers pedagogy, curriculum design, classroom management, leadership, and innovation, providing access to a global network of peers and experts.

In partnership with HP and Girl Rising, 1MT launched the HP Mentor a Teacher Program, focusing on gender equity, digital literacy, leadership development, and success mindset. This programme pairs HP employees with Blackbelt educators, enhancing their ability to empower girls and advance quality education.

1MT collaborates with numerous academic institutions and organisations to offer supplementary teacher education, global knowledge exchanges, and professional development opportunities. These collaborations ensure that aspiring teachers receive comprehensive training to meet the sector’s challenges.

Under Subair’s leadership, 1 Million Teachers is a pioneering force in global education reform, dedicated to building a critical mass of highly trained, enterprising education changemakers. Through innovative programmes, strategic partnerships, and a deep-rooted passion for education, Subair and 1MT are shaping a brighter future for educators and students worldwide.

Josiah Olusegun Ajiboye is Registrar and Chief Executive of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) – the regulatory body committed to the professional development and registration of qualified and competent educators across Nigeria.

Ajiboye first worked as a secondary school teacher, before going on to become a lecturer and then Professor of Curriculum Studies: Social Studies/Civics Education at the University of Ibadan. He was appointed to the TRCN by the country’s President in 2016. He also serves as the President of the Africa Federation of Teaching Regulatory Authorities (AFTRA).

The TRCN seeks to assure excellence and professionalism among teachers at all levels of the nation’s education system, using effective registration, licensing, accreditation, monitoring and supervision of teacher education programmes, promoting continuing professional development and maintenance of discipline as paradigms for the overall renaissance of the teaching profession in Nigeria.

At the TRCN, Ajiboye introduced the Professional Qualifying Examination for Nigerian teachers in 2017. It is now compulsory for anyone who intends to teach in the country to pass this key examination and obtain a teacher’s license and certificate. This has led to marked improvements in teaching and learning in Nigeria.

Today TRCN enjoys global recognition as a leading teacher regulatory body in Africa, and Nigerian teachers now enjoy mobility to all parts of the globe with a letter of professional standing issued by TRCN. Ajiboye proudly advocates for the status of teachers in the country and around the world, supporting teacher welfare and professionalism.

Mayank Dhingra, Senior Education Business Leader at HP, said:

“Congratulations to Nigeria’s Olanrewaju Oniyitan, Hakeem Subair, and Josiah Olusegun Ajiboye on being named Finalists for the Africa Education Medal 2024. Their passion and dedication to transforming education will inspire countless others to follow in their footsteps in building a world where quality education is enjoyed by all.

“HP has a bold goal to accelerate digital equity for 150 million people globally by 2030. Only by joining forces and aligning with NGOs, government, educators and businesses can we truly improve the education environment. The Africa Education Medal brings together all those who are changing the face of African education, whose work we must all learn from if the world is to meet the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.”

Vikas Pota, the Founder and CEO of T4 Education, said:

“The Africa Education Medal honours changemakers where change is needed most. Where learning gaps remain stubbornly persistent and where deep inequalities remain.

“If we are to tackle these colossal challenges, and unlock the continent’s future, we must build a community of leaders from every sphere of society committed to educational transformation. Leaders like Olanrewaju Oniyitan, Hakeem Subair, and Josiah Ajiboye. Africa, and the world, has so much to learn from your inspirational stories and your vital contribution to the next generation.”

The Finalists for the Africa Education Medal 2024 are:

●      Ahmed Kura, Co-Executive Director, Kenya Drylands Education Fund, Kenya

●      Angeline (Angie) Murimirwa, CEO, CAMFED, Zimbabwe

●      Christopher Khaemba, Co-Founder & Director, Nova Pioneer, Kenya

●      Hakeem Subair, CEO, 1 Million Teachers, Nigeria

●      Josiah Olusegun Ajiboye, Registrar & Chief Executive, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, Nigeria

●      Julian Hewitt, Outgoing CEO, The Jakes Gerwel Fellowship, South Africa

●      Mohammed Haroon, Principal Education Consultant, Ghana

●      Nankunda Hope Mwijuka, Executive Director, Raising Teenagers Uganda, Uganda

●      Olanrewaju Oniyitan, Founder & Executive Director, SEED Care & Support Foundation, Nigeria

●      Taddy Blecher CEO & Co-Founder, Maharishi Invincibility Institute, South Africa

Nominations for the Africa Education Medal opened in February 2024 for individuals working to improve pre-kindergarten, K-12, vocational and university education who are either educators or school leaders, civil society leaders, public servants, government officials, political leaders, entrepreneurs, business leaders, or technologists.

In its third year, the Africa Education Medal is the oldest of the three World Education Medals established by T4 Education and HP.

The winner will be announced in October. They will be chosen by a Jury comprising prominent individuals based on rigorous criteria.

August 7, 2024
The Pamoja Founders Project Awards $90,000 Seed Grants to Six Food Security Champions in Africa including Dr. Akpem Terese Shadrach from Nigeria

…Winning entrepreneurs from Ethiopia, Nigeria, Mozambique, Uganda, and Kenya each awarded $15,000 seed grants to address food security challenges in West, East, and Central Africa, backed by IREX, the PepsiCo Foundation, and PepsiCo

The Pamoja Founders Project, a collaborative regional leadership development program by IREX, the PepsiCo Foundation, and PepsiCo has granted $15,000 each to six leading African enterprises as catalytic support. The announcement followed a competitive pitch competition held in Nairobi, Kenya, post a four-day boot camp for the Pamoja entrepreneurs. The winning enterprises, led by passionate young innovators, address critical food security challenges in their respective countries:

The catalytic grants, valued at $15,000 each, were awarded to:

·       Abdul de Almeida, Co-Founder, Crimas, Orza and FAE; Mozambique

·       Juliet Namwanje, Founder, Ziimba; Uganda

·       Brendah Nantongo, Founder, Veathari Ventures Limited; Uganda

·       Elizabeth Okullow, Founder, Agriboom; Kenya

·       Dr. Akpem Terese Shadrach, Founder, Vet Konect; Nigeria

·       Nathnael Tadesse, Founder & CEO, Senaryo Trading, PLC; Ethiopia

The Pamoja Founders Project provides comprehensive training, mentorship, and networking opportunities to equip young entrepreneurs with the skills and resources needed to scale their ventures. The champions represent the diverse landscape of food security solutions across Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Nigeria.

The closing ceremony featured distinguished guests including representatives from IREX, the PepsiCo Foundation, and PepsiCo; H.E. Hon. Governor Sakaja Johnson, Governor of Nairobi City County, Kenya; United States Embassy officials; and prominent figures from the business and social impact sectors. Their presence underscored the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in addressing food security challenges across West, East and Central Africa.

“We are here to celebrate and acknowledge the entrepreneurial spirits and journeys of the inaugural cohort of the Pamoja Founders Project,” said George Kogolla, IREX’s Country Director for Kenya and East Africa. “We also celebrate IREX and PepsiCo’s shared commitment to investing in promising young African leaders across the continent. As IREX marks 10 years of administering the U.S. Department of State’s Mandela Washington Fellowship, Pamoja exemplifies our continued support for alumni of such programs and their innovative solutions for Africa’s challenges.”

“‘Pamoja’ is a Swahili word that means ‘together.’ At the PepsiCo Foundation we believe no single entity can solve an issue alone – working together with our partners and the communities we serve is key to ensuring our solutions are locally tailored for lasting impact.” C.D. Glin, President of the PepsiCo Foundation & Global Head of Social Impact for PepsiCo, shared. “Pamoja Founders Project and our partnership with IREX has lifted up 12 African food and agricultural entrepreneurs through a rigorous training program, with six also receiving catalytic seed grants. I’m extremely proud of the role Pamoja Founders Project is playing in making the food system more inclusive, secure, and sustainable across Africa.”

“This exceptional cohort exceeded our expectations with their passion, thoughtfulness, and commitment to advancing food security across Africa,” said Roshan Paul, Director of Leadership at IREX. “Pamoja has affirmed that IREX’s investment in cultivating and supporting Africa’s future leaders is paying dividends.”

“We are committed to working with innovators and changemakers to catalyze and shape a more sustainable food system for Africa. Each of the Pamoja entrepreneurs’ ventures addressed critical challenges and we look forward to being an integral a part of their journey to further success.” said Wael Ismail, Vice President – Corporate Affairs in Africa, Middle East, and South Asia (AMESA), PepsiCo.

IREX will support the entire cohort for the next three months as they complete the program. After the project, the Pamoja Founders will join a vibrant, supportive pan-African network of IREX alumni.

We also honor and recognize the contributions and accomplishments of the other participants in the cohort:

·       Benson Abila, Founder, M-Taka; Kenya

·       Mafeng Dangyang, Co-Founder, Kayan Gona Agro Network; Nigeria

·       Emmanuel Dusabimana, Founder, Agriboom; Uganda

·       Nalugemwa Elizabeth, Founder, Seedloans and Kyaffe Farmers Coffee; Uganda

·       Abdallah Mabrouk, Founder & Executive Director, Ibukia Shambani; Tanzania

·       Babajide Oluwase, Co-Founder and CEO, Ecotutu; Nigeria

Read more about the members of the inaugural cohort and their ventures here.

June 4, 2024