CEO of Future Software Resources Ltd. (Futuresoft)

An entrepreneurial and strategically driven executive with experience as a CEO, Non Executive Director and Founder of both private, listed and public sector organisations.

Nkemdilim is a seasoned Information Technology professional with over 15 years of cross-sector industry experience in Nigeria, Africa’s largest emerging economy. She combines strategic, digital technology and operational experience with a deep understanding of business transformation, change leadership and risk oversight.

She has designed and led strategy and implementation of digital marketing & digital transformation projects across Africa, resulting in enhanced customer experiences, customer acquisition & bottom-line growth, optimised and more cost effective operations and a more digitally skilled labour force within the organisations she has worked with.

Currently CEO of Future Software Resources Ltd. (Futuresoft), one of Nigeria’s leading digital & technology solutions companies, providing a broad range of solutions for the scaling African enterprise, to consistently attract and retain its target audience, optimise its processes and increase its bottom line.

Futuresoft has served over 200 clients across 20 industries and has trained over 1,500 CEOs, executives & board members in Digital.

Her entrepreneurial background, involvement in the global and pan-African Technology landscape and a focus on building the Nigerian Technology ecosystem through enabling policy development, investing, education and mentoring, affords her a deep understanding of cutting edge innovation, emerging & disruptive technologies, as well as access to a large network of technology leaders, policy makers and investors across the continent and globally.

Nkemdilim has been recognized as an Obama African Leader, Forbes’s Top Ten Female Tech Founders in Africa, Global Digital Women top 10 Most Inspiring Women in Africa, Lionesses of Africa top 100 Women and Ventures Africa 42 most Innovative Africans.

She currently serves on various private, public sector and listed company boards including Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, Novare Investment Fund Ltd., LASRIC and The Society for Corporate Governance in Nigeria. Nkem also sits on the advisory boards of BudgIT Foundation and Global Leaders Today USA.

Over the years she has served in the leadership of the NESG Digital Economy Thematic group; and was a member of The Nigerian National IT Software Committee and the Nigerian Electronic Voting Think Tank where she contributed to the advancement of digitalisation and shaping policy to support its inclusive delivery.

Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO), MTN Nigeria And Vice President, Francophone Africa

Dr. Karl Olutokun Toriola is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria. He was appointed to the Board of MTN Nigeria as a Non‑Executive Director on 14 January 2016 and assumed executive responsibility as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer on 1 March 2021. He is a member of the Board Finance & Investment Committee and the Digital and Innovation Committee. On the 1 October 2025, Dr. Toriola was also appointed Vice President, Francophone Africa for MTN Group.

Dr. Toriola brings over two decades of leadership experience in the telecommunications industry, with strong expertise in network operations, regional leadership, and business transformation. In his dual role as CEO of MTN Nigeria and Vice President, Francophone Africa, he provides strategic leadership across multiple markets within the MTN footprint.

Prior to his current responsibilities, Dr. Toriola served as Group Vice President for West and Central Africa (WECA) at MTN Group from 2016 to March 2021, overseeing operations across several countries and driving performance, operational efficiency, and regional alignment. He has held a number of senior leadership positions within MTN, including Chief Technical Officer of MTN Nigeria and Chief Executive Officer of MTN Cameroon. In April 2015, he was appointed MTN Group Operating Executive, with oversight responsibility for 13 operating companies across Africa.

Before joining MTN Nigeria in 2006, Dr. Toriola served as Chief Operations and Regional Officer at Vmobile Nigeria (now Airtel Nigeria), where he was responsible for nationwide operations. He has extensive governance and board experience and has served on the boards of several multinational organisations, including MTN Liberia, MTN Guinea Conakry, MTN Guinea Bissau, MTN Benin, MTN Congo Brazzaville, American Tower Corporation, and Jumia Africa.

Dr. Toriola is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, and a member of the Institute of Directors. He is an alumnus of leading global institutions, including Stanford Graduate School of Business, London Business School, Harvard Business School, and the Institute of Management Development (IMD) in Switzerland. He currently serves as an Independent Non‑Executive Director of UAC Nigeria Plc, a position he has held since 1 January 2020. In 2024, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile‑Ife. He holds a Master of Science degree in Communication Systems from Swansea University, United Kingdom, and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Electronic and Electrical Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile‑Ife, Nigeria.

Boardroom Qualified Technology Expert (DDN.QTE) | Board & Executive Advisor | Founder, DPO Africa Network & PALS Hub (Privacy & AI Leadership Systems)| Author & International Speaker

Amaka Ibeji is a corporate governance professional, Boardroom Qualified Technology Expert (DDN.QTE), and internationally recognized leader in digital trust, with over 15 years of experience spanning technology risk, data privacy, and artificial intelligence governance. Her work focuses on helping organizations align digital innovation with sound corporate strategy, regulatory, ethical, and accountability standards.

Her career spans leading institutions across Africa and the United States. She began in enterprise security and IT audit, contributing to the establishment of Deloitte’s Security and Privacy practice in Nigeria, before leading enterprise security operations across United Bank for Africa’s multi-country network. She later advised PACCAR in the United States on information security and GDPR readiness, and served as a Senior Program Manager at Microsoft, leading privacy and product strategy initiatives. Most recently, she managed privacy and AI governance compliance systems at Cruise LLC, supporting autonomous vehicle technologies.

Amaka is a respected international speaker and BusinessDay Nigeria columnist, providing board-level perspectives on digital trust, governance, and the evolving responsibilities of directors in a technology-driven world. She was recently appointed an Independent Non-Executive Director of Equity Technology Group, the technology arm of pan-African financial services institution, Equity Group Holdings, in recognition of her thought leadership and expertise in privacy, AI governance, and digital trust. She also serves as Senior Faculty with the Digital Directors Network (DDN) and the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).

She is the founder of DPO Africa Network and PALS Hub and serves on the advisory boards of Trusted Tech Africa and Privacy Hub Africa. Her contributions have earned global recognition, including Most Influential Women Leaders to Watch (2026), Most Exceptional Privacy & Data Protection Personality of the Year (2025), and 100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics (2025). She is also the author of *Data Protection Foundations: A Practical Guide to Privacy, Governance, and Trust.                                                                                                                                                               

Senior Legal Manager, Corporate Governance, Secretariat & Regulatory Compliance, Seplat Energy Plc

Amaka is a seasoned legal and governance professional with over 19 years’ experience spanning the legal, energy, and telecommunications sectors. She is a qualified lawyer (LLB, LLM, BL), an Associate of the Chartered Governance Institute UK (ACG), a Member of the Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria (MCIoD), and a Member of the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria.

As a Corporate Transactions and Governance Expert, her expertise covers high-impact corporate transactions, board and corporate governance advisory, listing and regulatory compliance across UK and Nigerian markets, and strategic contracting & procurement.

Amaka is currently a Senior Legal Manager at Seplat Energy Plc, where she oversees the Governance and Corporate Secretariat unit. In this role, she drives governance excellence, enables effective board and committee operations, ensures robust regulatory compliance, and supports strategic initiatives that strengthen corporate integrity and investor confidence.

She also champions culture, diversity, and leadership development as one of the Coordinators of the Seplat Women’s Awesome Network and contributes to social impact as an Advisory Board Member at Lluvia Health Organisation.

Chief Compliance Officer / Company Secretary, Oando Plc

Mrs. Folasade Ibidapo-Obe is a dual-qualified lawyer and governance professional with about 20 years of extensive experience across corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and company secretarial practice. She holds a Bachelor of Law from the University of Lagos, and a Master’s in Law (awarded with distinction) specialized in International Corporate Governance and Financial Regulations from the University of Warwick.

She has been admitted to the Bars of Nigeria and Ontario, Canada to practice law. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute of Canada and holds additional certifications as a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist, Certified Fraud Examiner, and Certified Ethics Officer. She has held progressive leadership roles at Strachan Partners, Ocean and Oil Holdings, Oando Energy Resources in Toronto and Enghouse Systems.

Prior to her appointment as Chief Compliance Officer and Company Secretary at Oando in 2025, she served as the Assistant Corporate Secretary at Magna International Inc. in Aurora, Canada, one of the world’s largest automotive suppliers. She is recognized for her commitment to ethical business conduct and effective stakeholder engagement.

Managing Director/CEO, Financial Institutions Training Center

Chizor Malize is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of FITC. She has distinguished herself with over two decades of professional experience that cuts across marketing, business process re-engineering, market growth strategy, reputation management and business consulting.

Prior to joining FITC, she has led various strategic and transformational projects in the financial services sector, local and international, in strategy, product marketing, electronic banking, retail, wholesale, private banking and brand repositioning. She was a Founding Partner and CEO at Brandzone Consulting LLC. She led the firm’s Consulting practice serving major international and indigenous organizations of repute while creating thought leadership to advance businesses. She has been a mentor to numerous new ventures, and she excels as a C-suite executive coach, providing valuable insights to top- level executives.

Chizor is driven by her passion for helping organizations unlock their full potential and achieve their business goals. Her impressive track record includes successful business transformation, project management, and project rollouts across more than eight African countries.

As the Chief Executive Officer of FITC, she is currently leading the company’s digital transformation into a world class, innovation-led, technology-driven knowledge solution provider.

Chizor is an Executive Education Alumna of the London Business School, UK, and the Columbia University, New York, United States. She is a member of several professional associations, including the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), London, Chartered Institute of Marketing, Nigeria, Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIBN), Institute of Directors (IoD).

Chizor has served on the Executive Council Board of Women in Management, Business and Public service (WIMBIZ), a non-profit organization, that has impacted over 100,000 women, many of whom she continues to mentor. She is currently the Vice Chairman, IoD (Institute of Directors) Women Directors Development Committee (WDDC), where she mentors female Board Directors and aspiring Directors.

She is a recipient of several prestigious awards and accolades, including the 2024 ‘African Woman of the Year Leadership Award’, 2023 Top 50 WIMA Awards, the 2023 10 Most Influential Women in Business and Leadership, CIO Awards, the 2022 Stevie Awards for Thought Leaders and was nominated by CNBC Media for the ‘’African Rising Woman’’ 2020 Edition. She was awarded the 2020 “Inspirational Leader Award” in recognition of the innovative, and game changing work at FITC in 2020 at the height of the global Pandemic resulting in the organization-wide transformation at FITC and positive impact on the Nigerian financial sector by International Business Excellence (IBX). She was
nominated in 2019 by REBRANDTM USA, as a Jury Board member on the REBRAND 100® Global Awards Board, the only member from Africa. She also won the African Leadership Excellence Award 2017 and the Marketing Personality of the Year Award in 2016.

Chizor is a prolific and respected international speaker. She is very passionate about Impact, Leadership, and Family.

Founder, Intermarc Consulting.

Dr. Adeyinka Alfred Adeyemiis a distinguished strategist and board advisor with extensive expertise in digital governance, digital finance, inclusion, and payment systemsacross Africa. He currently serves as the Director General of the Africa eGovernance Conference Initiative and sits on several boards including Intermarc Consulting, SecureID Limited, SID Digital Limited, PayGO Limited, and Flux Logistics Limited. With over three decades of experience spanning banking, consulting, and policy development, Dr. Adeyemi has been instrumental in shaping digital transformation frameworks that foster innovation, financial inclusion, and sustainable development across the continent.

As the Founder and former Managing Director of Intermarc Consulting, he has led numerous high-impact initiatives in partnership with international development organizations such as USADF, UNDP, and the Lagos State Government, driving eGovernance adoption and digital inclusion in Nigeria, Rwanda, and Zambia. He played a leading role in landmark projects including the Cashless Lagos Initiative, the Lagos State Citizens Gate Project, and digital payment strategy development for Nigeria’s power sector.

Earlier in his career, Dr. Adeyemi held senior roles in the banking sector, including Assistant General Manager and Head of e-Bankingat Société Générale Bank, where he pioneered Nigeria’s first credit card product and helped establish foundational digital banking infrastructure. He holds a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) from the University of Lagos Business School, he also holds an MBA from the University of Navarra, Spain, and advanced degrees in Public and Political Administration from the University of Ibadan. Dr. Adeyemi is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management, the Institute of Management Consultants, and the London Graduate School, and a member of the Institute of Directors and the Society for Corporate Governance of Nigeria.

Director, Enterprise Development Centre, Pan-Atlantic University.

Dr. Nneka Okekearu is a distinguished business development specialist with over 25 years of experience designing and delivering transformative programs that enhance the leadership and management competencies of business leaders, with a strong focus on empowering women entrepreneurs. She holds a doctorate in Entrepreneurship, specializing in gender dynamics, and serves as the Director at the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of the Pan-Atlantic University. She is also a member of the University’s Management Council.

An IFC-certified master trainer and assessor, Dr. Okekearu leads the EDC’s mission to certify business development specialists across Nigeria. Additionally, she is a certified leadership instructor and an online facilitator accredited by the Learning Performance Institute, UK. Her strategic direction spans programs like Mastercard’s Transforming Nigerian Youth Initiative and women-focused initiatives such as the Cherie Blair Foundation’s Road to Growth Program, the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Program, the World Bank’s WomenX Program, and the Vital Voices GROW Program.

A passionate advocate for gender mainstreaming and mentorship, Dr. Okekearu has mentored over 300 business leaders on both national and international platforms. Her efforts have led to the small and growing business community she mentors more than quadrupling their revenues, profit margins, and market share. She actively serves on several boards, including the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) West Africa Steering Committee, VFD Group PLC, and the Global Entrepreneurship Network Nigeria. She is also a Council member of the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art, JNCI Limited, and other organizations championing sustainability and social impact.

Dr. Okekearu’s research interests include business ethics, women’s entrepreneurship, sustainability, and leadership. She chairs Learning and Development Africa, an organization reshaping professional development across the continent. A sought-after facilitator for global strategy and management retreats, her expertise helps business leaders clarify their vision, enhance profitability, and optimize operations.

In addition to her doctorate in Entrepreneurship, Dr. Okekearu holds degrees in Banking and Finance and Management. She is a member of the Institute of Directors, the Society for Corporate Governance, the Chartered Institute of Marketing, and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria’s Mentoring Committee.

Cherie Blair Foundation’s Road to Growth Program, the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Program, the World Bank’s WomenX Program, and the Vital Voices GROW Program.

President/Founder, Woodhall Capital Limited

Mrs. Moji Hunponu-Wusu is a distinguished businesswoman, philanthropist, and investment banking expert with a career spanning over 25 years. As the President of Woodhall Capital Limited and its philanthropic arm, the Woodhall Capital Foundation, President Hunponu- Wusu has made remarkable strides in both the business and charitable sectors. She is deeply committed to catalyzing systemic change, focusing on poverty eradication and the education of marginalized communities.

Starting her career in investment banking in London, Mrs. Hunponu-Wusu worked with prestigious institutions like Credit Lyonnais, Goldman Sachs, and Deutsche Bank. Her expertise in risk management and international funding, especially with multilaterals and NGOs, played a pivotal role in her future entrepreneurial endeavors.

She later moved to Nigeria, where she founded Woodhall Capital Limited, a renowned financial advisory firm specializing in raising international funding for government agencies, large corporates, financial institutions, and sovereigns. Under her visionary leadership, Woodhall Capital has raised over $6 billion and has expanded its global footprint to key international hubs, including the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, and Nigeria.

The firm’s continued success is a testament to President Hunponu-Wusu’s exceptional leadership, professionalism, and integrity, which have earned the company a 100% client retention rate. In line with her commitment to excellence, Woodhall Capital recently opened its fourth office in Abuja, further solidifying its standing in the global financial landscape.

In addition to her business endeavors, President Hunponu-Wusu is a passionate philanthropist. Her dedication to social causes is reflected in the Woodhall Capital Foundation, which she founded with the vision of creating practical, hands-on solutions to poverty and inequality. The foundation, through the collaboration of coordinators, partners, and volunteers, has positively impacted over 3,000 individuals worldwide, empowering them to live healthier, more productive lives.

President Hunponu-Wusu finds immense fulfillment in the tangible impact her foundation has had in transforming communities. Her combined work in finance and philanthropy underscores her unwavering commitment to driving positive change and improving lives across the globe.

Dean, Lagos Business School

Olayinka David-West is a Professor of Information Systems with almost three decades experience in the IT and financial services industry and is a passionate advocate for digital transformation and inclusive finance. Her research and practice engagements involve policy and strategic management interventions towards digitally transformed businesses and society.

Professor David-West is Associate Dean at the Lagos Business School (LBS), the premier business school in Nigeria and sits on the school’s Management Board. She leads the Sustainable and Inclusive Digital Financial Services (SIDFS) initiative, a research and advocacy initiative dedicated to enhancing financial inclusion in Nigeria.

Olayinka has expert certifications in financial inclusion policy and digital money, is a governing council member of the Fintech Association of Nigeria and a member of the African Women in Finance and Payments. She is a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT), and the academic advocate to the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA). She is also a qualified practitioner of the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA).

Executive Chairman and Founder, Phillips Consulting Limited

Mr. Foluso Olajide Phillips (FOP) is a distinguished Industrial Economist and a Fellow of both the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), UK, and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). With over 45 years of global experience, his career spans financial and business operations management, enterprise development, and macroeconomic policy formulation.

As the Executive Chairman and Founder of The Phillips Group – Phillips Consulting Limited (pcl.), he has built Nigeria’s largest indigenous management consulting firm, now in its 32nd year, with offices in Lagos, Abuja, and representation in South Africa and the United Kingdom. pcl. is a recognized leader in people, technology, and organizational transformation services. He also chairs its affiliates, Phillips Outsourcing Limited (POL) and Phillips HMO (pHMO), extending his leadership into outsourcing and healthcare management.

Mr. Phillips serves in several pivotal roles, including:

• Past Chairman, Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), championing private
  sector-driven policy and reform.
• Chairman, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria, guiding the strategic direction of
  the global bank’s operations in Nigeria.
• Chairman, Primera Africa Group, overseeing operations of a leading investment and finance company.
• Advisory Board Chair, United Capital Infrastructure Fund, shaping infrastructure investment across Africa.
• Director, Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), provides governance and strategic oversight to a leading public health institution focused on combating infectious and chronic diseases, strengthening healthcare systems, and advancing medical research in Nigeria and Africa.
• Board Member, Flour Mills of Nigeria Holdings, contributing to the growth of one of Nigeria’s foremost consumer goods companies.
• Past Advisory Board Chair, Yellow Brick Road, supporting innovation in marketing and brand building.
• Board Chair, Chronicles Software Development Company, advancing technology-driven educational solutions.

His philanthropic and non-governmental engagements include:

• Chairman, Sickle Cell Advocacy and Management Initiative (SAM Initiative).
• Director, Special Olympics Nigeria.
• Board Chair, Igbobi College Board of Governors, stewarding one of West Africa’s leading secondary schools.
• Board Member, Africa.com, a Pan-African digital news and communication platform.

A respected thought leader and accomplished public speaker, Mr. Phillips has delivered keynote addresses at major business seminars, leadership conferences, and trade summits across Africa, the USA, Europe, and Asia. He is also deeply committed to mentorship, guiding business leaders and advising numerous small enterprises.

Through his leadership vision and strategic insight, Mr. Phillips has become an iconic figure in driving innovation, enterprise growth, and transformation in Nigeria and across Africa.

BEST-SELLING AUTHOR OF AFRO-OPTIMISM UNLEASHED
CHAMPION OF AFRICAN EXCELLENCE FOR SMES & BEYOND

Adeolu Adewumi-Zer is a global Nigerian, lifelong Afro-optimist, and international best-selling author dedicated to shaping a brighter future for Africa. With dual honors degrees from The Pennsylvania State University in the USA, her stellar academic foundation fueled a transformative 20+ year career across four continents within two multinationals. Adeolu culminated this experience as the CEO of Allianz Nigeria and, prior to that, as Regional Head of Mergers, Acquisitions, and Transformation Africa, where she spearheaded strategic growth initiatives that increased Allianz’s African portfolio to nearly half a billion Euros within four years.

Now, as the founder of ZER Consulting Africa (ZER), Adeolu leverages her global expertise in leadership development and strategic planning to empower SMEs, including startups, scale-ups, and social ventures across the continent. ZER partners with development agencies, investment funds, and social ventures to provide strategic guidance critical for growth via their SCALE framework. Adeolu’s strategic insights and unwavering commitment to excellence have earned her numerous accolades.

Adeolu’s strategic insights and unwavering commitment to excellence have earned her numerous accolades, including East Africa Deal of the Year in 2020 and Top 100 Women Impacting Africa in 2023. Her recent book, Afro-Optimism Unleashed, reached international best seller status on Amazon.

Beyond ZER:
Adeolu’s passion for Africa extends beyond her consulting work. She is the author of Afro-Optimism Unleashed: Scaling African Excellence to the Global Stage, a groundbreaking book that offers a roadmap for African leaders and businesses to achieve sustainable growth and global impact. Drawing from her decades of experience, Adeolu shares strategic insights and practical tools to unlock Africa’s potential on the world stage.

Adeolu’s commitment to Africa’s progress is reflected in her advocacy for financial inclusion, gender equality, and quality education, as well as her influential board positions and advisory roles focused on social impact across the continent.

Beyond her professional achievements, Adeolu is a mother of two global Africans and an avid runner, reader, and cultural explorer. Her Afro-optimism is not just a philosophy but a way of life, driving her to inspire and empower others to build a new Africa.

Connect with Adeolu on LinkedIn to learn more about her work and insights on scaling African excellence.