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Our Team

Meet the dedicated team that's guiding our mission to build Africa's AI future.

Board of Directors

Dr. Uche Onyekpe

Managing Director

Dr. Uche Onyekpe

Managing Director

Dr Uche Onyekpe provides overall strategic leadership and vision for the African Institute for Artificial Intelligence, guiding its mission to advance responsible AI across the continent. He oversees program portfolios, partnerships, and institutional growth, ensuring alignment with the organisation’s long-term goals. Dr Onyekpe also represents the institute in high-level stakeholder engagements and regional forums. He is passionate about building sustainable AI ecosystems that centre African needs and perspectives.

Dr Ibn Wahab Benin

Director

Dr Ibn Wahab Benin

Director

Dr Ibn Wahab Benin serves on the Board of Directors, helping to shape the institute’s strategic direction and governance. He provides oversight on major initiatives, risk management, and institutional accountability. Dr Benin supports the leadership team with guidance on partnerships, research priorities, and impact metrics. His work focuses on ensuring that AI-4AI’s activities remain ethical, inclusive, and regionally relevant.

Karima Seidu

Secretary

Karima Seidu

Secretary

Karima Seidu serves as Secretary to the Board, ensuring effective documentation, communication, and coordination of governance activities. She manages board records, meeting minutes, and official correspondence for the institute. Karima helps maintain compliance with organisational policies and legal requirements. She also supports the leadership team by streamlining information flows between directors, staff, and key stakeholders.

Maame Efua Bentum

Treasurer

Maame Efua Bentum

Treasurer

Maame Efua Bentum oversees the financial stewardship of the institute as Treasurer. She provides guidance on budgeting, financial planning, and prudent resource management. Maame reviews financial reports and supports transparent reporting to the Board and external partners. She is committed to ensuring sustainability and accountability in how the organisation funds its programs and operations.

Senior Management

Sunday Wambui

Head of Community and Ecosystem

Sunday Wambui

Head of Community and Ecosystem

Sunday Wambui leads the Community and Ecosystem portfolio, building networks that connect practitioners, learners, and partners across Africa’s AI landscape. She designs initiatives that strengthen collaboration, knowledge sharing, and community engagement. Sunday works closely with local and international stakeholders to grow AI-4AI’s membership, events, and outreach programmes. Her goal is to foster an inclusive ecosystem where diverse voices shape the future of AI in Africa.

Yemisi Obielodan

Head of Innovation and Applied AI

Yemisi Obielodan

Head of Innovation and Applied AI

Yemisi Obielodan drives the institute’s Innovation and Applied AI agenda, translating emerging technologies into real-world impact. She leads projects that explore practical AI solutions for social, educational, and economic challenges. Yemisi collaborates with technical teams, partners, and communities to pilot and scale innovative use cases. She is dedicated to ensuring that applied AI projects are ethical, human-centred, and contextually relevant.

Vikash Marik

Head of Capability Building

Vikash Marik

Head of Capability Building

Vikash Marik leads Capability Building, overseeing training programmes that equip learners, professionals, and organisations with core AI skills. He designs curricula, workshops, and learning pathways tailored to African contexts. Vikash works with educators, partners, and mentors to deliver high-quality learning experiences both online and in person. His work focuses on developing a strong pipeline of AI talent across the continent.

Dr Abiola Babatunde

Head of AI Literacy

Dr Abiola Babatunde

Head of AI Literacy

Dr Abiola Babatunde is Head of AI Literacy at the African Institute for Artificial Intelligence, where he develops curriculum for the organisation's offline literacy app, contributes to AI governance policy, and serves as a founding member of the Governance Council, having authored its initial Terms of Reference. He holds a PhD in Computational Mathematics, specialising in combinatorial optimisation and fundamentals of artificial intelligence. Abiola brings over eight years of industry experience in data systems, ERP delivery, and business intelligence, alongside university-level teaching in mathematics and computing. His work across research, industry, and education is united by a single conviction: that AI capability in Africa must be built by Africans, grounded in African contexts, and governed by African institutions.

Gilbert Obichere

Interim Head of AI Governance

Gilbert Obichere

Interim Head of AI Governance

Gilbert Obichere leads the AI Governance function on an interim basis, focusing on policy, ethics, and regulatory engagement. He develops frameworks and guidance to support responsible AI development and deployment. Gilbert works with policymakers, civil society, and technical experts to shape conversations on AI standards and safeguards. He is committed to ensuring that AI systems respect rights, fairness, and local values.

Marvellous Okechukwu

Strategy Delivery Manager / Interim Head of Operations

Marvellous Okechukwu

Strategy Delivery Manager / Interim Head of Operations

Marvellous drives the seamless execution of AI-4AI’s strategic initiatives, ensuring that ideas turn into effective programs and measurable outcomes. She oversees operations, aligns cross-functional teams, and implements systems that support sustainable growth and organizational efficiency. With a decade of experience across nonprofit and legal sectors, Marvellous brings expertise in strategy delivery, operational design, and program management — all grounded in structure, accountability, and impact.

Our Contributors

Shope Idris

Data Analyst-Operations Team Lead

Shope Idris

Data Analyst-Operations Team Lead

Shope leads AI-4AI’s operations team, using data to design, monitor, and improve how programs, processes, and people work together. She combines operational experience with advanced analytics to track key performance metrics, uncover bottlenecks, and turn complex workflows into efficient, scalable systems that support the institute’s mission. By building dashboards, analysing trends, and translating insights into practical changes, she ensures that decisions at AI-4AI are evidence‑based and that operations continuously improve over time.

Tioluwani Agboola

Personal Assistant

Tioluwani Agboola

Personal Assistant

Tioluwani Agboola serves as Personal Assistant to the Director at AI-4AI, bringing over two years of professional experience in executive and administrative support. She handles managing executive correspondence, coordinating schedules and meetings, and providing day-to-day operational help to support effective leadership and decision-making.

Ufuoma Braimah

IT Team Manager

Ufuoma Braimah

IT Team Manager

Ufuoma Braimah leads the IT team, overseeing the institute’s technology infrastructure and digital tools. She manages systems that support collaboration, data security, and programme delivery. Ufuoma coordinates technical support, implementation of new platforms, and best practices in IT operations. Her work enables staff and volunteers to work effectively across countries and time zones.

Micheal Ajao-Olaronoye

Software Engineering Team Manager

Micheal Ajao-Olaronoye

Software Engineering Team Manager

Micheal Ajao-Olaronoye leads the software engineering team building AI-4AI’s digital products and platforms. He oversees technical delivery, code quality, and collaboration, ensuring robust, scalable solutions for users and partners.

Ese Jibromah

Strategy Advisor

Ese Jibromah

Strategy Advisor

Ese brings over five years of experience in research and strategic analysis, supporting AI-4AI’s leadership in making informed, high-impact decisions. He works closely with teams to refine priorities, uncover opportunities, and translate complex data into clear, actionable recommendations. Ese’s work ensures that the institute’s initiatives are both evidence-based and aligned with its mission to deliver meaningful, measurable impact.

Epifania Cazembe

Senior Graphics Designer

Epifania Cazembe

Senior Graphics Designer

Epifania Cazembe designs visual materials that bring AI-4AI’s brand and programmes to life. She leads on visual identity, campaigns, and creative assets across digital and print channels.

Mariam Adisa

Product Manager

Mariam Adisa

Product Manager

I’m a Product Manager, driving the development of practical, scalable products. I lead product strategy from concept to execution defining clear requirements, structuring roadmaps, and ensuring strong alignment across engineering and design. I translate complex AI systems into focused, user-centered solutions that deliver measurable value.In addition to product development, I work actively in AI literacy for schools, equipping teachers and students with the knowledge and tools to understand and responsibly use AI. I focus on simplifying complex concepts, designing accessible learning experiences, and bridging the gap between emerging technology and education. I take ownership of clarity, alignment, and delivery. I’m committed to building AI products and learning systems that are purposeful, usable, and built to scale.

Victor Omolaiye

Senior ML Engineer

Victor Omolaiye

Senior ML Engineer

Victor Omolaiye leads the design and deployment of advanced machine learning systems for AI-4AI. He works on architecture, optimisation, and robustness, ensuring models perform reliably in real-world African contexts.

Yemi Adejoro

Applications Technical Support

Yemi Adejoro

Applications Technical Support

Yami Adejoro provides technical support for the institute’s applications and digital platforms. He assists staff and volunteers with troubleshooting, onboarding, and optimising the tools they use daily. Yami helps maintain system reliability and a positive user experience. He plays a key role in ensuring that technology supports, rather than hinders, the organisation’s work.

Mowbray Jones-Nelson

Senior Legal Adviser

Mowbray Jones-Nelson

Senior Legal Adviser

Mowbray Jones-Nelson serves as Senior Legal Adviser, overseeing legal risk, compliance, and governance matters. He advises on contracts, partnerships, and regulatory obligations across multiple jurisdictions. Mowbray supports the Board and management with clear, practical legal guidance. His role helps ensure that the institute operates responsibly and in line with applicable laws and ethical standards.

Shammah Ugbebor

Senior Product Designer

Shammah Ugbebor

Senior Product Designer

Shamman Ugbebor leads end-to-end product design, from discovery and user research to high-fidelity interfaces. She partners closely with product managers and engineers to craft cohesive, impactful experiences across AI-4AI’s digital ecosystem.

Jemima Joannis

Data team Lead-Operations Support

Jemima Joannis

Data team Lead-Operations Support

Jemima provides data‑driven operations support across AI-4AI’s projects and internal functions, helping the institute stay organised, informed, and on schedule. She coordinates and structures operational data, maintains accurate records, and supports reporting so that the operations team can track workload, timelines, and performance. By combining careful documentation, scheduling, and communication with a focus on data quality and consistency, Jemima helps ensure a smooth, predictable experience for staff, volunteers, and partners.

Fatimoh Okunola

Senior Research Analyst

Fatimoh Okunola

Senior Research Analyst

Fatimoh Okunola leads research on the social, economic, and ethical dimensions of AI in Africa. She designs studies, coordinates data collection, and translates findings into clear insights for reports and policy briefs.

Brenda Ochieng

Junior Data Analyst

Brenda Ochieng

Junior Data Analyst

Brenda Ochien supports the data team by cleaning, analysing, and visualising programme data. She helps turn numbers into clear dashboards and reports that inform decisions and track impact.

Onyinye Onuh

Junior AI Analyst

Onyinye Onuh

Junior AI Analyst

Onyinye Onuh is a research professional with two years of experience in evidence-based policy research and communications, specialising in AI governance and development policy. Her work centres on an ethical, human-rights-driven approach to AI regulation and on harnessing technology to reduce inequality and strengthen institutions across Africa.As a Junior AI Governance Analyst at the African Institute for Artificial Intelligence, she is helping develop and publish an African Ethical AI Charter, exploring national AI strategies and governance frameworks across the continent.Her work includes authoring publications on AI, human rights, and inclusion. She is skilled in qualitative and quantitative research methods, with expertise spanning AI ethics, technology policy, and development economics.

Hadiya Usman

Strategy Advisor

Hadiya Usman

Strategy Advisor

Hadiya is a cross-sector strategist focused on turning ideas into actionable programs that deliver measurable impact. With over seven years of experience across health, education, climate action, and community development, she brings expertise in program management, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy. At AI-4AI, Hadiya advises on strategic initiatives, builds partnerships, and ensures that projects are evidence-based, sustainable, and designed to empower communities.

Margaret Sande

Strategy Advisor

Margaret Sande

Strategy Advisor

Margaret Sande offers strategic insight on how AI-4AI can deepen its impact across countries and sectors. She contributes to planning, portfolio reviews, and partnership strategies.

Nomzamo Maziya

Strategy Advisor

Nomzamo Maziya

Strategy Advisor

Nomzamo Maziya advises on strategic direction in a rapidly evolving AI landscape. She analyses trends and stakeholder needs to keep AI-4AI’s work relevant and forward-looking

Unathi Ntusi

Strategy Advisor

Unathi Ntusi

Strategy Advisor

Unathi Ntusi contributes to strategy on programme design, scaling, and organisational development. He helps connect day-to-day activities to AI-4AI’s long-term vision and goals.

Rianat Abbas

Senior Product Manager

Rianat Abbas

Senior Product Manager

Rianat Abbas leads product strategy and roadmaps for AI-4AI’s key platforms and solutions. She coordinates discovery, experimentation, and delivery, ensuring products solve real user problems and advance the institute’s mission.

Azeez Akande

Senior Product Manager

Azeez Akande

Senior Product Manager

Azeez Akande is a Product Manager at AI-4AI, focused on building user-centered, impactful digital solutions. With a background spanning web development, project management, and product strategy, he brings a full-stack perspective to guiding cross-functional teams from concept to market launch. Azeez leverages design thinking, the software development lifecycle, and technical expertise to deliver solutions that meet business goals while resonating with users. Passionate about innovation and collaboration, he ensures products are scalable, effective, and designed for lasting impact.

Praise Ajayi

Junior UX Designer

Praise Ajayi

Junior UX Designer

Praise Ajayi is a junior UX Designer at AI-4AI with over one year of experience creating intuitive and engaging user interfaces. She contributes to the design process through user research, wireframing, and prototyping, transforming complex concepts into clear, user-friendly experiences. Her work ensures that AI-4AI’s products are not only functional but also accessible and easy to navigate.

Roseline Fatuase

UX Designer

Roseline Fatuase

UX Designer

Roseline Fatuase designs human-centred experiences for AI-4AI’s digital platforms and learning tools. She blends user research, interaction design, and visual design to ensure that products are accessible, engaging, and aligned with user needs.

Nisal Tharanga

Senior UX Designer

Nisal Tharanga

Senior UX Designer

Nisal Tharanga shapes the overall user experience strategy for key AI-4AI products. He leads design systems, complex flows, and usability improvements, mentoring other designers, and championing user-centred thinking across teams.

Maryam Irekeola

Junior UX Designer

Maryam Irekeola

Junior UX Designer

Maryam Irekeola contributes to UX research, wireframes, and interface design for AI-4AI’s applications. She collaborates with product and engineering teams to refine journeys and ensure smooth, consistent experiences for users.

Ibukun Oduntan

Junior ML Researcher

Ibukun Oduntan

Junior ML Researcher

Ibukun Oduntan is a Junior Machine Learning Researcher with over two years of experience, supporting AI-4AI’s research projects focused on African contexts. He assists with experiments, data preparation, and analysis, contributing to the development of models and methods that drive the institute’s applied AI work.

Francis Alfred Michael Angelo

Junior ML Engineer

Francis Alfred Michael Angelo

Junior ML Engineer

Francis Alfred Michael Angelo supports the development and deployment of machine learning solutions. He collaborates on data pipelines, model integration, and performance improvements across AI-4AI’s technical projects.

Aisha Olanrewaju

Junior ML Engineer

Aisha Olanrewaju

Junior ML Engineer

I am a biomedical engineer and AI researcher with a strong intrest on applying artificial intelligence to improve healthcare access and outcomes across Africa. As an AI Engineering Research Volunteer at the African Institute of Artificial Intelligence, I am focused on researching and developing practical AI solutions for African healthcare. My technical expertise spans Python, PyTorch, TensorFlow, MONAI, FastAPI, and medical image analysis. I am particularly interested in building scalable, ethical, and context-aware AI systems that can help address critical healthcare challenges in low-resource settings.

Emmanuel Olukunle

Junior ML Researcher

Emmanuel Olukunle

Junior ML Researcher

Emmanuel Olukunle contributes to machine learning research focused on Africa’s unique datasets and challenges. He assists with experiments, analysis, and documentation that feed into publications and applied solutions.

Vaibhavi Chavan

Lead Research Consultant - Project Management and AI Governance

Vaibhavi Chavan

Lead Research Consultant - Project Management and AI Governance

Vaibhavi Chavan serves, through Ravensbourne University London, as Lead Research Consultant in Project Management and AI Governance to The African Institute for Artificial Intelligence (AI-4AI), where she leads continent-wide research and policy initiatives on responsible AI adoption. Her work includes publishing research on the state of AI governance in Africa, developing governance frameworks for schools and financial institutions, drafting an African Ethical AI Charter aligned with the African Union Continental AI Strategy, and designing strategy toolkits and compliance instruments to support implementation across multiple African countries.She is a Senior Lecturer in Project Management at Ravensbourne University London and an internationally recognised scholar specialising in AI-enabled project governance, Human-AI collaboration, and digital transformation in project-based organisations.With academic foundations spanning engineering, business analysis, and project management from institutions including the Australian National University and the University of Strathclyde, she combines technical depth with strategic leadership expertise. Her doctoral research examines the behavioural dimensions of Human-AI Collaboration in UK construction project management.She contributes to international standards development through ISO, BSI, and CEN-CENELEC committees. She has authored multiple Scopus-indexed publications, holds patents in AI-driven educational systems, blockchain security, and digital innovation, and is recognised as a PMI Future 50 Honoree.

Ololade Onola

Junior AI Governance Fellow

Ololade Onola

Junior AI Governance Fellow

Ololade Onola supports AI governance projects exploring policy, ethics, and regulations. She assists with research, stakeholder mapping, and drafting materials that promote responsible and inclusive AI practices.

Musi Namusia

Junior AI Governance Fellow

Musi Namusia

Junior AI Governance Fellow

Musi Namusia works on AI governance initiatives, supporting research on ethical, legal, and social implications of AI. She contributes to briefs, workshops, and tools that guide responsible AI use in African contexts.

Lucky Nkwocha

Junior AI Governance Fellow

Lucky Nkwocha

Junior AI Governance Fellow

Lucky Nkwocha assists with analysis and advocacy on AI policy and governance. He helps develop resources and engagements that inform decision-makers, civil society, and communities about safe, rights-respecting AI.

Arnold Ighiwiyisi

Senior ML Engineer

Arnold Ighiwiyisi

Senior ML Engineer

Arnold Ighiwiyisi leads complex machine learning initiatives from concept to deployment. He focuses on scalable architectures, performance tuning, and translating research into practical AI solutions for impact.

Nihanka Gujela

Senior AI Governance Fellow

Nihanka Gujela

Senior AI Governance Fellow

Nihanka Gujela leads high-level AI governance work, spanning policy research, stakeholder engagement, and thought leadership. She helps shape frameworks and recommendations that support ethical AI across Africa.

Joshua Ojih

Senior ML Researcher

Joshua Ojih

Senior ML Researcher

Joshua Ojih leads machine learning research projects that explore new methods and applications relevant to African contexts. He supervises experiments, mentors junior researchers, and contributes to high-impact publications.

Solomon Adewole

School Outreach Cordinator

Solomon Adewole

School Outreach Cordinator

Solomon Adewole is a civic leader, development practitioner, and Traditional Leader based in Ibadan, Nigeria, with a strong track record in governance advocacy, youth empowerment, and sustainable development. He has led and contributed to initiatives focused on transparency, policy engagement, and community-driven solutions, including organizing large-scale conferences on youth political participation and leadership. Solomon’s work spans environmental conservation, where he leads projects on ecosystem restoration and sustainable livelihoodsto social advocacy, particularly in combating harmful traditional practices and promoting gender equity. He has also served on the Digital Youth Council supported by the United States Agency for International Development, where he contributed to advancing child protection online and promoting safer digital environments for young people. Solomon brings expertise in program design and implementation, grant writing, stakeholder engagement, and grassroots mobilization, with experience collaborating with local communities, government institutions, and international partners. His work integrates traditional leadership with modern policy advocacy, positioning him as a bridge between grassroots realities and institutional reform. He is also actively engaged in advancing digital inclusion and emerging technology awareness, with a growing focus on AI literacy for underserved communities.

Kemisola Kasali

Junior Fundamental AI Literacy Fellow

Kemisola Kasali

Junior Fundamental AI Literacy Fellow

Kemisola Kasali supports AI literacy initiatives that introduce fundamental AI concepts to new audiences. She helps design learning materials, sessions, and activities that make AI approachable and relevant.

Kelly Nartey

AI Literacy Ambassador Coordinator

Kelly Nartey

AI Literacy Ambassador Coordinator

Kelly Nartey coordinates AI Literacy Ambassadors who champion AI education in their communities. He oversees recruitment, training, and support, ensuring ambassadors have the resources to run impactful local activities.

Chidiebere V. Christopher

AI Researcher (Volunteer)

Chidiebere V. Christopher

AI Researcher (Volunteer)

I am a Senior Data Analyst and ML Engineer with over six years of professional experience in the banking industry, I have worked across data analytics, applied machine learning, and research-driven roles. My career is focused on building, deploying, and monitoring ML models for credit risk assessment, fraud detection, and digital financial products within the financial industry. I have hands-on experience spanning the full ML lifecycle, including data engineering, feature development, model evaluation, post-deployment monitoring, and business integration. Currently a Computer Science master’s student, combining industry depth with advanced academic research. I created the TimeCost Gradient Machine (TCGM), a gradient boosting ML algorithm that directly optimizes financial loss. I also authored GeoAugment, a constraint-aware synthetic geospatial data generation library, and pyedahelper, a Python framework for efficient exploratory data analysis and workflow acceleration. All published as Python open-source tools. Beyond industry and academia, I volunteer as an AI Researcher at the African Institute for Artificial Intelligence, and my core interests lie in AI infrastructure, ML systems, and scalable model deployment, with a long-term focus on building resilient AI technologies for data-scarce and high-impact African contexts.

Grace Ademola-Adenle

Volunteer

Grace Ademola-Adenle

Volunteer

Grace Ademola-Adenle volunteer’s her time and skills to support AI-4AI’s programmes and operations. She assists with project tasks, coordination, and community-facing activities that help the institute reach more people.

Abiodun Uthman Allison

Backend Engineer (Volunteer)

Abiodun Uthman Allison

Backend Engineer (Volunteer)

Abiodun Uthman Allison is a Backend Engineer with a strong analytical foundation in mathematics and extensive experience building scalable software architectures, AI-driven applications, cloud-native systems, and applied machine learning solutions.  At Awaledger, he develops backend solutions that leverage Google Cloud Vision, large language models (LLMs), LangChain, and FastAPI to digitize handwritten ledgers for micro, small, and medium enterprises.  Previously, as a Back-End Engineer at TOG Lab, Abiodun architected resilient NestJS microservices and backend infrastructure, implemented secure authentication workflows and engineered conversational AI systems supported by vector stores, document ingestion pipelines, and REST API integrations.  He currently volunteers as a Backend Engineer with AI-4AI, where he contributes to backend systems that support the organization’s mission to advance responsible and locally relevant AI across Africa. His broader experience includes computer vision projects involving satellite imagery and agricultural intelligence.

Trust Babatope

Graduate Intern (Volunteer)

Trust Babatope

Graduate Intern (Volunteer)

Trust Funmilayo Babatope is a geology graduate with over three years of diverse experience in field sampling, laboratory analysis, environmental monitoring, and science communication. She holds a B.Sc. in Geology from the University of Ibadan, where her research focused on petrographic and geochemical studies of barite in Nigeria’s Middle Benue Trough. Her career spans roles in geological mapping, mineral analysis, and clean energy communication, where she translated complex technical research into accessible formats for public audiences.Trust has contributed to projects in construction management, enterprise operations, and community development, showcasing adaptability and strong organizational skills. She is proficient in technical reporting, data collection, and the use of productivity tools, with certifications in communication, employability skills, and programming fundamentals. Passionate about bridging science and society, she is particularly interested in carbon development, clean energy, and sustainability. Trust brings a proactive, reliable, and collaborative approach to every role, with a commitment to delivering impact through knowledge, innovation, and service.

Dallas Chituyi

Volunteer

Dallas Chituyi

Volunteer

Dallas Chituyi volunteers with AI-4AI to support community outreach, events, and operational work. She contributes her time and skills to help expand the organisation’s visibility and impact.

Desmond Edem

Volunteer

Desmond Edem

Volunteer

Desmond Edem is a Digital Product Designer (UI/UX) who creates intuitive and engaging digital experiences. As a volunteer at AI-4AI, he helps design seamless user journeys and contributes to products that are both user-friendly and impactful.

Micheal Orosunsuyi

Volunteer

Micheal Orosunsuyi

Volunteer

Micheal Orosunsuyi volunteers with AI-4AI, supporting projects, events, and internal tasks as needed. He brings energy and commitment to advancing the organisation’s mission on the ground.

Vanessa Asomaning

Volunteer

Vanessa Asomaning

Volunteer

Vanessa Asomaning volunteers to support events, programmes, and communications at AI-4AI. She assists wherever needed to help the organisation deliver a smooth and welcoming experience to participants.

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