[This is an edited script of the TEDx talk at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria on November 2, 2018] Sometime in 2014, I joined a conversation about the New Vision for Education at the World Economic Forum on Africa. That session was focused on finding solutions to the talent-skills gap, skills needed in the 21st century, and the roles of stakeholders to fund […]
Human-Centric Development
I just finished reading the address of the Pope for the 48th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting starting tomorrow at Davos. Somehow, his speech resonate with my thoughts – and the crux of my ‘being’ – to collaborate with society to transform the future of humanity. The essence of societal transformation, growth and development is people – for people to become better versions of […]
The Future of Mentorship – [My TEDx talk]
![The Future of Mentorship – [My TEDx talk]](https://www.damolamorenikeji.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/TEDxIsaleGeneral-2017-300x250.jpg)
The themes of growth, values, mentorship and leadership are some of my most endeared themes. I started life learning to embrace learning and growth, sharing what I have learnt with others willing to ‘sip’ and taking lessons from the lives of others – people i regard as ‘illuminares’. On November 11, 2017, I gave a TEDx talk on “The Future of Mentorship – and what […]
Africa and AI – Now and the Future
Over the course of the summer, I joined the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University to contribute to the ethics and governance of artificial intelligence for societal interest initiative, with the Youth and Media team. I had an interest in the development of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies; most importantly, how these technologies and developments can be tools for solving some […]
Embracing Intersection – Being Comfortable with the Unconnected
I have always caressed the subject of innovation and strategy. One thing that is obvious is that most times, some of the best ideas come from the unconnected. Over the last four years, I have seen myself brainstorm on and advice on several ideas – some are on areas I don’t have core expertise on but I had strong vibe to learn and grow. These […]
Mobile First or AI First?
For several months, I and the team at LEAD Resources have been recommending that entrepreneurs think mobile first, when building products and services; we have mentioned this at masterclasses and on the #SMEClinic radio program. With the advent of the fourth industrial revolution and the seemingly prevalence of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies of this generation, I think it is imperative for the maxim […]
Beyond Oil: Transportation in Africa by 2030
Technology holds enormous potentials in every sector of the economy. Transportation 2.0 is another catchment area we must tilt our education and governance to affect. India recently unveiled plans to use only electric vehicles by 2030, without depending on any petrol or diesel vehicle. Countries in Africa – Nigeria especially – must start to plan towards a post-oil economy. By 2030, electric and solar vehicles, […]
Empathy, Beyond Us
One of the skills important for preparing for the future is empathy. We need to build empathy into our values as leaders. In a similar vein, our friends that write algorithms need to seek ways to build in empathy into their codes. As these codes and algorithms shape our realities, we need them to be empathetic. Our world becomes better – the relationship between humans […]
Books for the Future
For some months, I have been exploring new things – stretching the bounds of my learning to other areas. Those who know me can testify that I like sharing; I do most sharing privately. Whenever I read things, the next big thing that I think of – apart from how to put into action the new learning – is who else I can ‘share this […]
Getting the Best Out of the New Year
We have flipped the calendar to another year, how might we get the best out of this year? I’ll share seven approaches for getting the best out of the year, together. Choose a theme Your theme is like your minimum viable resolution for that year. I know some have seen new year resolutions as a glorified ‘To Do’ list that is set aside by the […]
Your Leadership Brand
Sometimes ago, I was approached to speak with a group of young entrepreneurs during one of their online masterclass sessions. I decided to discuss ‘leadership brand’. One of the key reasons I accepted to do this is the belief that businesses have a role in influencing change within communities. When individuals are clear about how they want to be remembered, conscious efforts will be made […]
How Virtual Reality Can Help You
My first encounter with Virtual Reality – without the real immersion – was earlier in 2015. I did up some readings, reviewed some researches about the potency of the technology and somehow, left the thoughts of both virtual and augmented reality for some other things :). Months later, I joined some great tech minds at the first Virtual Reality MeetUp in Lagos (if not in […]
On Perseverance and Little Big Things
Keep doing what you do, as long as it makes positive sense! Over the last few weeks, I have been having conversations about perseverance, failure and excellence. I heard humbling experiences of friends and colleagues as we all shared moments where we learned from failure and not-too-good moments. When some of these people talk about the successes of what they do, it seems they had […]
Growing with Young African Leaders
If there is one thing i crave insatiably, it is growth. Few weeks ago, I joined other young African leaders / professionals selected (out of over 14,000 applications) for the US President’s Young African Leaders Initiative RLC Fellowship. I grew. I am still growing – daily. Our individual commitment to growth is paramount; it influences our leadership, actions and results. The daily actions by friends […]
The ‘Iyalaya Anybody’ Lessons on Innovation and Development in Africa
Most times in the development space, we have to look beyond headlines and taglines and focus on lessons from pieces and lives. I read Prof. Pius Adesanmi’s keynote address titled “Iyalaya Anybody: Pencils, Nigerian Innovation, & Africa’s Path in the 21st Century” delivered last week in Lagos, Nigeria. Beyond the ostensibly ‘obscenity’ that may come with the title, he distinctively approached the theme of innovation […]