Our Team

Dr. Olubayo Adekanmbi

CEO/Founder

Olubayo has 23 years of experience as a C-level technical and business leader. He has led high-impact innovations, transformational strategies, and data science and analytics projects for Africa’s two largest telecommunication companies – MTN and Airtel African UK Limited, with oversight functions covering over 300 million customers in 30 countries.

Olubayo is also an award-winning solution developer, who has led the development of globally acclaimed solutions for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Mastercard Foundation, Meta, the World Bank, and others.

Five of the products Olubayo has led have been listed on the IRCAI/UNESCO Top 100 AI products for sustainable development. He also recently won the Global Grand Challenge on building LLMs for social good.

Olubayo also served in global initiatives, such as the AI Safety and ethics (UK AI Safety Institute), National AI policy development (Government of Nigeria, Tony Blair Institute), AI for humanitarian intervention (e.g. UK Humanitarian Innovation Hub), AI for development (e.g. The GSM Association – GSMA), AI capacity development ( Google, Microsoft, Meta, Nvidia), AI Social good platforms (e.g. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Mastercard Foundation) and AI Governance framework development (e.g. Lagos State Government).

Olubayo has a PhD from the University of London (St George/City)

Dr. Ife Adebara

Chief Technical Officer

Ife is a globally recognized researcher with over seven years of experience in natural language processing, linguistics, and language policy.

She has served as a member of the Deep Learning and Natural Language Processing Group at University of British Columbia (UBC) and as an associate member of the African Languages Technology Initiative in Nigeria.

Ife has also presented her research work at top NLP conferences, including ACL, EMNLP, COLING, and the LT4ALL conference organized by UNESCO.

Her work has also been recognized beyond the academic sphere, including media coverage by CBC News, Global News Canada, AMD, and City News Vancouver.

Ife also won the Top 10 Outstanding Global AI Solutions Award from the IRCAI under the auspices of UNESCO for AfroLID and Serengeti—a language identification model and natural language understanding model for 517 African languages.

Ife’s PhD is from UBC Canada. Her dissertation focussed on the development of deep learning technologies for 517 African Languages and endeavored to make “computers usable in African languages.”

Dennis Ebbah

Chief Financial Officer

A seasoned business executive with over 23 years of diverse experience across Telecommunications, Artificial Intelligence, Manufacturing, and Consumer Retail sectors, specializing in Finance, Business Management, Risk, and Strategy.

Worked with the largest telecommunication company in Nigeria (MTN), where he oversaw the management of over $1 billion in Network Expansion Capex.

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, a Member of the Institute of Public Accountants of Australia, and an Associate of the Institute of Financial Accountants of the UK.

Has had professional learning from world-renowned institutions such as London Business School, Wharton Business School, and Lagos Business School. I am also an alumnus of University of Leicester (UK), Lagos Business School and Edo State University.

Aanu Oyeniran

Business Lead

A Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) with over 10 years of experience in Business Development, Program Management, Product Development, Sales & Marketing, and Business Analytics. Aanu has been instrumental in driving strategic growth and partnerships, digital strategy, and stakeholder and policy engagement across various sectors.

He has worked on significant projects such as Skills for Job (Microsoft), Online Safety & Digital Wellness (TikTok), Learn at Home (Mastercard Foundation), Call Detail Records (Flowminder), AI-Powered Digital Family Planning Counseling (Gates Foundation), Arewa Ladies4Tech (Google), Geospatial and Mobility Data for Health Solutions in Africa (Meta), and AI Policy Implementation Framework for Public Sector (Tony Blair Institute).

Aanu has also been a key speaker and contributor at numerous high-profile events, including Spotlight Nigeria (Paris), Bpifrance Inno Génération (BIG 2024), Microsoft AI for Good Summit, Umoja Hack Africa 2023, GITEX Africa 2024, Data Science Nigeria AI Bootcamp, DSN Mentorship Program, SaferTogether Campaign Launch, and iDICE Initiative (Bank of Industry, Nigeria)

Chinazo Anebelundu

Geospatial AI Business Lead

A Geospatial AI domain expert who drives and manages the development of innovative AI applications – mapping, spatial intelligence, and location-based analytics to solve real-world challenges.

She has led high-impact geospatial initiatives, integrating AI, GIS, and data-driven solutions across sectors such as health, education, agriculture and sustainability.

She has led and contributed to high-end projects including AI-Powered location intelligence chatbot for last mile RMNCHN health service delivery, Gen AI Governance Framework and Assessment, Data Science Nigeria AI Bootcamp 2024 planning, Ulearn – adaptive learning platform for STEM subjects in local languages, Geospatial and Mobility Data for Health Solutions in Africa (Meta), SpotOn – Geospatial AI-powered platform for real-time Geospatial Addressing Generation System. Gates Foundation Proprietary Patent Medicine Vendors (BMGF) location ground-truthing.

She has spearheaded AI and geospatial learning programs, hackathons, and workshops that empower researchers, students, and professionals across Africa. Her work has taken her across Africa, where she collaborates with industry leaders, academia, and government agencies to drive AI governance and adoption, foster digital transformation, and build sustainable geospatial solutions.

Emmanuel Enemakwu Yusuf

Chief Technical Product/Solution Consultant

Previously served as the Lead Product Manager at FairMoney, CrowdForce, Civic Innovation Lab, Abuja.

Started from Appzone Group in Lagos, Nigeria – worked on product design and product development

Started 2 companies -Design studio and Programming training school focus on helping build young talents in programming and design.

Broad experience in Product Leadership (Strategy, Execution, Vision), Product Discovery (Personas, User stories, UX strategy), Product Design (User Research, Content Strategy, Information Architecture, Prototyping), Product Management (MVP, Requirement specifications, Product Life Cycle Management) and Web Design (HTML/CSS, Responsive Web Design, WordPress, Woo Commerce)

Oluwaseun Nifemi

Lead, Technical Delivery (Consulting and Services)

A Senior Data Scientist certified by The Artificial Intelligence Board of America (ARTiBA) as an Artificial Intelligence Engineer with over five years of experience solving complex challenges and providing business insights.

She has been instrumental in advancing AI-driven solutions across sectors such as education, healthcare, digital and financial inclusion, governance, and advocacy. She has broad experience developing, deploying, and managing end-to-end analytics, automation, and digital transformational solutions.

She has spoken at top leadership conferences like the Global Digital Developmental Forum, the African Society for Social and Behavior Change Summit, the ICT4D Conference, etc., highlighting her role in shaping Africa’s AI ecosystem.

She has managed projects like Gates Foundation African Voice Project, Nigeria AI Collective, Gates Foundation AI/DPI University College London Artificial Intelligence for Humanitarian Project, TBI (Tony Blair Institute) Project on Artificial Intelligence Literacy Curriculum for Government Workforce, AI-Powered Digital Family Planning Counseling Chatbot Project in Partnership with Gates Foundation and Tulane University, etc.

Dr. Opeoluwa Iwashokun

Data Science Consultant

Over 15 years industry experience with the Stanbic Bank, Wema Bank and Octave Analytics.

PhD from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, where she worked on Natural Language Processing.

She is certified by DASCA as a Senior Big Data Analyst SBDA.

Ope has led the eko360 project for Lagos State providing quality assurance support data science projects and mentoring the in-house team on data science.

Chimaoge Esotu

Lead, Technical Delivery (Solutions and Training)

Senior Big Data Analyst (SBDA) certified by the Data Science Council of America (DASCA) with over 5 years of experience in the delivery of business solution.

She has extensive experience in AI-driven solutions and workforce capacity building, delivering projects across the government and private sectors.

She played a key role in the Pan-African AI Capacity Embedding Initiative with the Tony Blair Institute and designed the AI for Policy Actors Training in partnership with GIZ.

She has managed projects like the Google.org supported DeepTech training initiative, AI-Powered Digital Family Planning Counselling Chatbot Project in Partnership with Gates Foundation and Tulane University, the Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget end-to-end data analytics platform sponsored by Gate Foundation, the end-to-end AI-powered Analytics Platform for the Federal University of Abeokuta (FUNAAB)

With a strong track record in AI workforce and solution development, she has trained organizations across industries, equipping them with the tools to harness AI for growth and efficiency.

Faiza Sani

Northern Nigeria Technical Project Lead

A dedicated program manager with over five years of experience leading impactful projects across Nigeria, specializing in gender inclusion, language localization, Capacity Building, governance, and advocacy.

Currently serves as the Technical Project Lead at Data Science Nigeria, where she focuses on empowering communities in Northern Nigeria through technology and innovation.

She led the flagship Arewa Ladies4Tech project, successfully training 5,000+ women in data science and AI, driving inclusion and nurturing a new generation of female tech talent in underserved regions.

A passionate advocate for equitable tech access, she has contributed to AI and digital literacy projects such as the Arewa Ladies4Tech Project, Gates Foundation African Voice Project and the Nigeria AI Collective, championing solutions that reflect local contexts and languages.

Her work reflects a deep commitment to capacity building and sustainable digital transformation, especially across marginalized communities in Northern Nigeria.

Uche Edwin

Products Lead

An AI product leader with over 6 years of experience developing AI-driven solutions, specialising in product strategy, design thinking, UX research, AI governance, and technology localisation for African contexts.

Previously worked at one of Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest EdTech organisations, driving learning program management for more than 11,000 students across 5 countries

He has led key projects at Data Science Nigeria, including the Adaptive Learning Engine for education delivery in low-resource settings, Edo Data for Governance, and the Generative AI Governance Platform, each focused on leveraging AI for measurable social and developmental impact.

Uche has presented at global AI conferences, including ICT4D, IEEE GLOBECOM, and Deep Learning Indaba (DLI), shaping narratives on inclusive AI and governance models relevant to Africa.

He has also delivered guest lectures on AI and development at leading institutions, including Columbia University’s SIPA and Pan-Atlantic University.

Anthony Soronnadi

Senior Machine Learning Engineer/Research & Innovation Lead

Senior ML Engineer with 5+ years of experience specializing in AI solutions for Africa with expertise in NLP, speech recognition, computer vision, LLMOps, and Agentic AI.

Previously worked at one of Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest EdTech organisations, driving learning program management for more than 11,000 students across 5 countries

Recipient of the Best Paper Award at ICLR 2024 AfricaNLP Workshop and an award at the “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Better Workshop @ ICLR 2025.”

Projects worked on: AfroSLM, Audio Analyzer,Family Planning Chatbot, GovLLMiner, African Voice Project, FinChat, Afrirazer, etc.

Uyi Okundaye

Technical Data Project Manager

Experienced Project Manager and Delivery Coordinator with a strong track record in driving data-for-governance initiatives, leading programs from concept to execution, and ensuring alignment with strategic development goals in Edo State.

He leads Data Science Nigeria’s (DSN) operations in Edo State, overseeing the planning, coordination, and successful delivery of impactful projects while managing cross-functional teams and local partnerships.

Managed and delivered high-impact projects such as the Edo State Data Governance Platform, EdoDiDa Chatbot, Education Management Information System (EMIS), Edo Business Connect Databank, and DiCert DPI, contributing to improved public sector performance.

Highly skilled in Data-to-Decision (D2D) strategy, stakeholder engagement, and program delivery, with a deep understanding of how to translate data into actionable insights that support policy and decision-making.

Michael Adeniran

Program Manager

A seasoned program manager and learning strategist with 13+ years of extensive experience managing education-focused programs that intersect technology, instructional design, and learning transformation, driving scalable impact across diverse communities and sectors.

As a certified member of the Learning and Performance Institute (MLPI), Michael specialises in designing culturally relevant learning experiences, implementing effective LMS solutions, and aligning learning outcomes with organisational and societal needs.

Michael has led and contributed to major initiatives such as DeepTech_Ready, Nigeria AI Collective, TikTok’s Online Safety & Digital Wellness, Learn at Home (Mastercard Foundation), and Arewa Ladies4Tech (Google), all aimed at building digital literacy, promoting inclusion, and preparing communities for the future of work.

He is passionate about democratizing education, Michael focuses on bridging access gaps, empowering underserved groups, and fostering people-centered learning environments where culture, safety, and growth thrive.

Ahmad Ibrahim Ismail

Senior Data Scientist/ML Engineer

A senior data scientist and ML Engineer with deep expertise in NLP, Large Language Models (LLMs), and the development of AI-powered platforms, driving innovation at the intersection of research and real-world impact.

He serves as a Solution Architect and Technical Lead on national-scale Digital Public Infrastructure initiatives, specialising in the design and deployment of inclusive, data-driven systems that enhance governance and digital transformation.

He is a key contributor to transformative projects such as DiCert (AI-based credentialing), Edo Data for Governance (data-driven governance), LLMiner (LLM fine-tuning tool), and various AI-integrated DPI systems.

Known for blending technical depth with strategic vision, Ahmad builds scalable AI systems rooted in ethical design, open innovation, and public good.

Temitola Ajekiigbe

Legal Manager

An accomplished Legal Practitioner with 7+ years of diverse experience in legal practice, corporate governance, and operational leadership. A Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSAN), she brings depth and professionalism to managing the organization’s legal operations and compliance framework.

She currently leads all legal and regulatory functions within the organization, ensuring strict adherence to evolving local and international compliance standards. Her core areas of expertise include Data Protection and Privacy, Intellectual Property, Corporate and Commercial Law, and emerging areas such as AI Ethics and responsible technology use.

With a keen eye for legal risk management, she advises on complex commercial transactions, oversees contract management, and champions intellectual property protection strategies aligned with business goals. Her understanding of technology law and ethical considerations surrounding artificial intelligence positions her as a strategic advisor in the digital transformation landscape.

Temitola is skilled in people management and operational leadership, fostering cross-functional collaboration and ensuring legal insight is embedded into strategic decision-making across the organization

Tobiloba Oyeniran

Brand Analyst

Experienced Brand Analyst with hands-on experience in branding, marketing, and strategic communications, skilled in building and managing campaigns that drive visibility, engagement, and long-term brand value.

Skilled in Digital Marketing, SEO, Social Media, and Website Management, with a proven ability to develop and execute digital strategies that align with business goals and audience needs.

She’s a key contributor to high-impact programs including the Microsoft Upskilling Program, Arewa Ladies4Tech, DeepTech Ready, AI Bootcamp, Tik Tok Safer Together Campaign, Nigeria AI Collective, and Mastercard Foundation’s Learn at Home—delivering communication strategies that amplified reach and impact.

Tobiloba is a purpose-driven communicator passionate about leveraging storytelling, technology, and data to empower communities, amplify African innovation, and create lasting social impact.

Oluwatoyin Adekanmbi

Executive Director, Process and Talent

A strategic leader in AI and Talent Development with 20+ years proven expertise spanning educational leadership, business operations, talent development, and investment portfolio management, with a strong track record in process optimisation and institutional scaling.

Oluwatoyin is an architect of scalable systems and institutional growth who drives operational excellence and process optimisation to support the rapid expansion of Africa’s leading AI talent and research hub, aligning people, strategy, and performance for sustainable impact.

She is passionate about deploying AI and emerging technologies to build scalable solutions that drive social and economic transformation in underserved communities across emerging markets.

She leads initiatives that promote diversity, ethics, and inclusive capacity building, nurturing Africa’s next generation of globally competitive AI and data science professionals.

Oluwatoyin oversees high-impact projects in Artificial Intelligence, Educational Technology, Digital Transformation, and DeepTech, focused on unlocking real- world solutions for over 2 billion people in emerging economies.

In-house Technical team

In-house team of over 40 Data Scientists, Artificial Intelligence Engineers, Solution Developers and Natural Language Processing solution deployment

Over 15,000 Network of Data Experts, AI Engineers, Data Enthusiasts and Solution Testers

Over 15,000 network of data annotators, data collectors, data solution experts and enthusiasts within a Pan-African learning network across over 50 campuses and 100 cities in Nigeria and other countries.