02
ABOUT ME
(2024)
ABOUT TOYOSI
AKERELE
-OGUNSIJI●
ABOUT ME
Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji is an Artificial Intelligence for Development Professional whose passionate career focus on AI for Social Good, Technology Education and Ethical AI has seen her evolve into a highly sought after and revered global thought leader and specialist within her fields of expertise. Named by Forbes as one of the 20 most Powerful Young Women in Africa, in 2023, Toyosi was recognized as one of the Top 30 Global Artificial Intelligence Ambassadors by the World’s Leading AI Network, Swiss Cognitive and was also appointed into the #AI4Dev Reference Group of the UNDP recently.
Toyosi Akerele Ogunsiji is a Nigerian social entrepreneur, technology education expert, and advocate for youth development with over 16 years of experience across public, private, and social sectors.
With over 16 years of experience across public, private and social sectors, she has dedicated her career to empowering young leaders, advancing education through technology and driving public policy reform.
AS THE FOUNDER AND CEO OF RISE NETWORKS, SHE IS DEDICATED TO EMPOWERING YOUNG LEADERS, ADVANCING EDUCATION THROUGH TECHNOLOGY, AND DRIVING PUBLIC POLICY REFORM.
Toyosi is an active member of the AI for Public Interest Working Group of the 2025 AI Action Summit to be hosted by the Government of France, an alumnus of the United States Government’s prestigious International Visitor Leadership Program and is a trusted expert on AI by foreign institutions seeking insights on the AI landscape within the region given
her contributions to the tech ecosystem in Nigeria and Africa and her support for the Continent’s broad economic development goals through research and learning development.
She studied Strategic Management at Executive Level at Cambridge University’s Judge Business School, obtained a Certificate in Youth Inclusive Financial Services from University of New Hampshire, Durham, USA, holds a Certificate in Media Enterprise from the School of Media and Communication, Pan Atlantic University and an Executive Masters’
Certificate in Project Management from The Project Management College, UK. She has also studied Digital Marketing Strategy at the UK Institute of Digital Marketing, and she received a 2nd Class UPPER bachelor’s degree in civil law from
the University of Jos.
A fellow of the Aspen Institute’s Global Leadership Network, with a background in Civil Law, Toyosi holds a master’s in public administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, she is the Founder of Rise Networks, a leading Data and Artificial Intelligence for Development Social Enterprise leveraging some of the technologies of the fourth Industrial Revolution to solve some of Nigeria & Africa’s most complex problems. Rise Networks represented Nigeria at the AI Safety Summit hosted by the Government of the United Kingdom in 2023 and with its sister Company, Rise Interactive Studios, supported by some of the world’s prominent donors and leading corporations, co-produced Africa’s first feature film on the fast rising profile of its youth especially girls in using tech innovation including Artificial Intelligence and other STEM skills to tackle some of the Continent’s biggest problems., MAKEMATION, billed for release in 2025. Rise Networks designed and built the first career Job Chat bot in West Africa which has been listed as part of the AI Mentoring in the Workplace Working Group of the United Nation’s AI for Good Project. Rise Networks also recently completed a landmark research and advisory Project on AI for Border Governance and Security Efficiency in Nigeria for the Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office.
She is a respected advisor, thought leader, content expert and commentator on issues of Social Entrepreneurship, Education Advancement and Public-Sector Leadership. Toyosi is also a current PhD Fellow at the Nigerian Defense Academy researching on the intersection of Defense and Digital Transformation and their implications on National and Economic Security. She’s been Jury Member of Nestle’s NESCAFE Get Started Africa Entrepreneurship Challenge a Mentor of the African Entrepreneurship Awards of the Bank of Africa’s Africa, a Judge of the Young Women Transform Prize, a
global economic empowerment competition put together by USAID, Volvo Group and Standard Chartered Bank to provide
sustained long-term Economic Empowerment for young female entrepreneurs across the World.
CERTIFICATION
2024-
CERTIFICATIONS &
EDUCATION●
We take a moment to reflect on the past year, celebrating the milestones and achievements that have shaped our journey as photographers
AWARDS
Explore Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji’s dynamic presence in the media through a collection of her impactful interviews, keynote speeches, and public appearances. As a renowned thought leader, Toyosi has shared her insights on education, technology, and public policy at prestigious events worldwide.,
