My Work in Motion
Her work finds expression at the intersection of creativity, technology, and human development. Every project is a story – of resilience, dignity, and hope.
Films & Documentaries
Makemation: A groundbreaking feature film that amplifies African innovation and creativity through powerful storytelling and immersive visuals.”
Books & Publications
Authored and co-authored works on leadership, youth development social change, law and the creative economy.
Essays published in leading journals and global platforms.
Institutions & Initiatives
Rise Networks: Africa’s leading social enterprise driving youth development, innovation, and public policy through data, edtech and collaborative research.”
Speaking Engagements
Keynotes, lectures, and panel discussions across continents.
Signature topics: Leadership, Governance, AI & Africa, Creative Economies, Youth Empowerment.
Professional Trajectory
Dr. Toyosi started small as Publisher of youth and pop-culture centric Magazine known as RISE in her third year in university. In June 2007, after Dr. Toyosi graduated with a Civil Law Degree from the University of Jos in Plateau State, she kickstarted the Rise National Youth Forum, which was by far, the biggest social and capacity building program for young people across several Nigerian states of that period. That mindset would shape every decision that followed.
By 2012, Dr. Toyosi founded Rise Networks, a social enterprise which started as youth and education development organization which then evolved into a company rooted in the belief that data, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies could be used not only for profit but for public good. With a mission to harness the Fourth Industrial Revolution for inclusive development, Rise Networks quickly became a powerhouse for innovation in Nigeria and across Africa. Dr. Toyosi later launched Rise Interactive Studios, a media production company in 2023, creating educational and socially impactful film and television content to inspire, entertain, and empower Africans.
Under her leadership, Rise Networks has evolved and delivered pioneering initiatives across tech, education, and governance. The organization developed West Africa’s first AI-powered career chatbot, which was recognized by the United Nations AI for Good mentoring project. Rise Networks also led a groundbreaking research and advisory initiative on AI for border governance and national security in collaboration with the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. In 2023, Rise Networks represented Nigeria at the UK Government’s AI Safety Summit, placing Dr. Toyosi and her team at the centre of critical global conversations on responsible and inclusive AI. Through Rise Networks, she has mentored thousands of youth, advised government stakeholders, and collaborated with multilateral institutions on designing policies that work for Africa, not in theory, but in practice.
Professionally, she has also held earlier roles in the private sector, including as member of the technical committee of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, a Corporate Communications Executive at Oando Oil and Gas Plc, and remains active in policy, advocacy, and civic innovation circles.
Dr. Toyosi’s commitment to youth empowerment is consistent and far-reaching. She has served as a judge and mentor for major initiatives such as USAID’s Young Women Transform Prize, Nestlé’s Get Started Africa Challenge, and the Africa Entrepreneurship Awards. She sits on advisory boards and judging panels where the next generation of African entrepreneurs and changemakers are shaped. In each role, she brings a clarity of thought, an insistence on execution, and an eye for long-term impact.
She is also a respected thought leader and author. Her book, WE HAVE TO BELONG, launched at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Centre for Public Leadership, explores why economic inclusion is urgent for Nigeria’s stability and prosperity. She argues that true transformation begins with creating systems where all citizens, regardless of background, feel a sense of ownership, dignity, and stake in national progress.
She has been invited as Speaker at global conferences hosted by Harvard University, MIT, the Oxford University. Government of Turkey, UNESCO, Government of Saudi Arabia among others. Her insights have been featured in top media outlets including Forbes, BusinessDay, The Guardian, Punch, AFK Insider, and ThisDay. In 2014, U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama publicly cited Dr. Toyosi as one of her personal inspirations, further validating the depth and reach of her influence.
Dr. Toyosi’s leadership is not just technical, it’s deeply human. At Rise Interactive Studios, she co-produced Makemation, Africa’s first feature-length film focused on the use of AI and STEM by African young people especially girls to solve local problems. The film, released in 2025, received backing from global donors and corporations and signals Dr. Toyosi’s belief in storytelling as a powerful force for shaping culture, identity, and aspiration. Makemation isn’t just a movie, it’s a movement. She is a Trustee of the Gamaliel Onosode Foundation, a Nigerian non-profit, non-political organization with the mission to empower Nigerian children especially those underprivileged, through quality education and innovative learning opportunities, striving for lasting social impact.
Her work has earned international recognition. Forbes named her one of the 20 Most Powerful Young Women in Africa, and in 2023, Swiss Cognitive included her among the Top 30 Global Artificial Intelligence Ambassadors. That same year, she was appointed an expert in the UNDP’s AI4Dev Reference Group, joining global thinkers to craft ethical, inclusive frameworks for technology in the Global South. Her voice is consistently sought out for her ability to connect data with dignity, and policy with the lived realities of ordinary Africans.
Rise Interactive Studios (RIS)
Kokokah [formerly passnownow.com]
In 2012, Toyosi launched Passnownow.com, a revolutionary mobile-first e-learning platform that digitized the Nigerian secondary school curriculum. Targeted at underserved students and teachers in rural and low-income areas, it was one of the first edtech platforms in Nigeria to deliver accessible educational content directly to students’ mobile phones and it provides syllabus compliant, subject-aligned learning resources, gamified quizzes, and teacher support systems, helping to bridge educational gaps in underserved communities.
In a bold move to scale its impact, Passnownow has been rebranded into Kokokah, its new platform, expanding its core offerings into a comprehensive online education ecosystem, including a Learning Management System (LMS) for schools, tutors and students, a School Management System for administrators, an Exam Preparation tool tailored for external examinations. Kokokah aims to redefine digital education across Nigeria and beyond, with a robust suite of tools and products designed to improve academic outcomes and system efficiency at scale.
Makemation, Africa’s First Feature Film on AI
“As a Film Maker, I tell stories that heal, build, and transform. From films and documentaries to public policy and social innovation, my life’s work sits at the intersection of creativity, leadership, and impact in Africa and beyond.” – Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji
A groundbreaking cinematic work that showcases the brilliance of African girls in STEM and AI, telling an inspiring story of innovation, resilience, and social change. Released in 2025 with global acclaim, it bridges storytelling and technology to reshape perceptions of African youth.