Adebayo Ogunlesi: Nigeria’s Global Visionary

Some lives carry the weight of nations. For Nigeria, one such life is that of Adebayo Ogunlesi—the Sagamu-born lawyer turned banker turned global investor whose story is as much about personal brilliance as it is about the resilience of the Nigerian spirit. His journey from Ogun State to the commanding heights of global finance is one of courage, audacity, and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence.

Ogunlesi’s academic journey was remarkable in itself. After excelling at law in Oxford, he ventured to Harvard, where he earned not one but two degrees—an MBA and a law degree. That unique blend of legal rigor and financial sharpness prepared him to navigate the intricate world of global commerce. But even in those years abroad, his Nigerian upbringing—rooted in resilience, adaptability, and ambition—remained his strongest anchor.

In business, Ogunlesi is best known for his daring moves through his private equity firm, Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP). With an eagle eye for opportunity, he transformed GIP into a global powerhouse, managing some of the most critical infrastructure in the world. In 2006, he stunned the financial world by acquiring London City Airport, and only a few years later, he shook the industry again with the £1.455 billion purchase of London Gatwick Airport—then the largest single-runway airport in the world.

But Ogunlesi was never just a buyer. He was a strategist. Years later, when the time was right, he orchestrated the profitable sale of Gatwick Airport in a deal that confirmed his reputation not only as a bold acquirer but also as a master of timing and value creation. Similarly, after securing other iconic assets like Edinburgh Airport and Italy’s high-speed rail company, Nuovo Transporto Viaggiatori (NTV), GIP under his watch demonstrated the same brilliance: building, optimizing, and exiting at the peak of value.

Perhaps his most audacious deal came in energy: the acquisition of a 49% stake in Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) for a staggering $20.7 billion—one of the largest energy transactions of its kind. He also expanded into telecoms, steering GIP into Asia with a 43% stake in Tower Vision India. In each move, his Nigerian spirit—bold, calculated, and forward-looking—shone through.

Ogunlesi’s influence has not been confined to investments alone. He once served on U.S. President Donald Trump’s Economic Advisory Council, bringing his insights to the global policy arena. Today, he sits on the Board of Directors at OpenAI, helping to shape the future of artificial intelligence, and serves as a Senior Managing Director at BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager. His fingerprints are on industries that affect how the world flies, communicates, powers itself, and even thinks about the future.

And yet, behind the billions and boardrooms, Adebayo Ogunlesi never stopped being Nigerian. His story mirrors the restless creativity of his homeland: a country where resourcefulness is second nature and ambition is never in short supply. Married to a British woman, his life is global in every sense, but his roots are unmistakably Nigerian—roots that taught him to believe that no horizon is too far, no ambition too lofty.

What makes Ogunlesi’s legacy powerful is not simply the assets he acquired, nor the profits he reaped when he sold them. It is the spirit he embodies: the Nigerian spirit that takes risks when others hesitate, that builds where others doubt, and that exits with grace when others linger. His life tells the world that Nigerians are not just participants in global business; they are leaders, innovators, and trailblazers.

From Sagamu to the summits of finance, Adebayo Ogunlesi has become more than the richest Nigerian in diaspora. He is a symbol of possibility, a global visionary carrying Nigeria’s name into every boardroom and every deal, reminding the world that the Nigerian spirit is unstoppable.

Nigeria Opens Its Doors!

On September 26, 2025, a quiet but powerful shift rippled across the diplomatic map: Nigeria threw open its doors to citizens of St. Kitts & Nevis — no visa required.

For decades, Nigeria’s visa-free policy was the privilege of African neighbors, mostly within the ECOWAS family. But this time, the door swung wider — all the way across the Atlantic Ocean to a small but spirited Caribbean nation. And with that gesture, Nigeria rewrote its own rules, marking the first time a non-African country has been granted visa-free access.

The announcement is more than ink on paper. It is the story of two regions — Africa and the Caribbean — finding echoes of themselves in each other. Both carry shared histories of resilience, culture, and connection. By reaching out to St. Kitts & Nevis, Nigeria is saying: “We see you. We welcome you. Let’s build together.”

For travelers from St. Kitts & Nevis, the new policy means more than just easier entry. It’s an invitation to explore Africa’s largest economy, from Lagos’ bustling markets to Abuja’s rising skyline, from cultural festivals to business opportunities. For Nigeria, it is a chance to showcase its vibrancy to fresh eyes — investors, students, tourists, and families eager to connect with the continent.

Symbolically, this visa waiver tells a bigger story: Nigeria is stepping onto the global stage with confidence, breaking beyond its traditional spheres and reimagining its diplomacy. It is a gesture of trust, friendship, and ambition — a bridge of passports instead of paperwork.

And perhaps, in years to come, September 26, 2025 will be remembered not just as the day Nigeria opened its borders to St. Kitts & Nevis, but as the day the Afro-Caribbean bond took on a new life — woven through travel, trade, and the timeless pull of shared heritage.

Seyi Anifowose Makes History with Guinness World Record for Largest Gathering of Teachers

On September 20, 2025, Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos became a sea of educators. Tens of thousands of teachers, from every corner of Nigeria, filled the historic ground where independence was once declared. Their purpose was not protest, but pride.

At the heart of it all was Seyi Anifowose, a teacher and education advocate with an audacious dream: to put teachers on the world stage. That day, he did. The “Let There Be Teachers Conference 2025” was officially recognised by Guinness World Records as the largest gathering of teachers in history.

 “This is more than a record,” Anifowose said. “It is proof that teachers matter. It is a victory for education, and it is a victory for Nigeria.”

The achievement was hard-won. Teachers stood under scorching sun and sudden rain, queued for hours, and endured long verification checks. Yet they stayed. Their resilience mirrored the daily realities of classrooms across the nation—overcrowded, underfunded, but never abandoned.

For Anifowose, the symbolism was clear: “This ground gave Nigeria its freedom in 1960. Today, it gave teachers the honour they deserve.”

Organisers, backed by 1 Million Teachers, had projected 60,000 participants, a figure that underscored both the scale of mobilisation and the urgency of the cause.

Now, with the record secured, he is pushing for the next step—policy reforms to improve teacher training, welfare, and recognition. Nigeria, after all, faces one of the world’s deepest teacher shortages.

Still, that September morning told a different story. For once, teachers were not in the background. They were history’s headline and at the centre of it stood one man who believed they should be.

Seyi Anifowose has given Nigeria not just a place in the record books, but a powerful reminder of who truly builds a nation.

Breaking Barriers, Inspiring Generations: Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Honoured at Cambridge

At the historic University of Cambridge, Lucy Cavendish College has bestowed one of its most prestigious distinctions — an Honorary Fellowship — on Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization. The honour, shared alongside Alec Russell, Foreign Editor of the Financial Times, places her among a select circle of global leaders, thinkers, and visionaries celebrated by the College.

The Honorary Fellowship of Lucy Cavendish College is not lightly conferred. It is reserved for individuals of exceptional influence and integrity whose achievements embody the College’s values of leadership, resilience, and inclusivity. Past Honorary Fellows include luminaries such as Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, Dame Judi Dench, and Queen Margrethe II of Denmark — figures who have left indelible marks on public life, the arts, and human rights. By welcoming Dr. Okonjo-Iweala into this fellowship, the College affirms her enduring legacy as one of the world’s most transformative leaders.

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s journey is the story of perseverance and impact on a truly global scale. When she took office as Director-General of the WTO in March 2021, she became both the first woman and the first African to lead the organization. But her groundbreaking leadership did not begin there. Twice Nigeria’s Finance Minister, she steered the nation through complex reforms, championing transparency, stabilizing the economy, and securing the historic cancellation of $18 billion of debt by the Paris Club of Creditors.

Her 25-year career at the World Bank further cemented her reputation as a global finance expert and trusted consensus builder. Rising to Managing Director, Operations, she oversaw an $81 billion portfolio and led initiatives to improve the lives of low-income countries. For her work, she has consistently been named among Forbes’ 100 Most Powerful Women in the World.

Lucy Cavendish College, with its tradition of supporting non-traditional students and widening access to education, has long celebrated role models who inspire courage and ambition. In Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, the College finds a Fellow whose life story speaks to those very values — a leader who has broken barriers, challenged conventions, and dedicated her career to making the world more equitable.

Her Honorary Fellowship is not just a recognition of past achievements but a celebration of the hope she inspires in future generations: that excellence knows no borders, and leadership has no limits.

Nigeria to Host Africa’s First Insulin Production Facility

Nigeria is set to become the first country in Africa to produce insulin locally, following a groundbreaking partnership with Chinese companies. This was revealed by the Chinese ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai during a reception to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. The move marks a major milestone in the fight against diabetes and positions the nation as a rising player in the global pharmaceutical landscape.

Insulin, a life-saving drug for millions of people living with diabetes, is currently imported into Nigeria at high costs, often creating shortages and limiting access for patients. Health experts say the establishment of a local production plant will not only reduce the nation’s reliance on imports but also make treatment more affordable and accessible.

“This development has the potential to transform diabetes care in Nigeria and across the region,” said a health sector analyst. “By cutting costs and ensuring a stable supply, it will ease the burden on patients and strengthen the healthcare system.”

Beyond health benefits, the project is expected to boost Nigeria’s economy by creating jobs, fostering technology transfer, and enhancing the nation’s standing in the biotech industry. Analysts suggest that the facility could eventually serve as a supply hub for West Africa and beyond, reinforcing Nigeria’s role as a continental leader in pharmaceutical innovation.

The initiative comes at a time when the prevalence of diabetes is rising in Africa, with the World Health Organization warning that cases could more than double in the coming decades without urgent interventions. Local insulin production is therefore being hailed as both a medical breakthrough and a strategic economic investment.

With construction plans underway, the plant represents more than a health project — it signals Nigeria’s ambition to reduce dependency on foreign pharmaceuticals and build resilience in its healthcare sector.

Awake to Greatness: Two Nigerian Girls Take on the World with AI

At just 10 years old, Akachukwu Blessed Nwachukwu and Ifunanya Gabriella Okoye have done what many seasoned innovators only dream of: they put Nigeria on the global technology map.

The Port Harcourt prodigies stunned the world at the 2025 Technovation Global Summit, clinching first place in the Beginner Division with their invention, Stay Woke—an AI-powered mobile app designed to prevent drowsy and distracted driving. Using facial recognition and voice interaction, the app detects fatigue in real time and issues alerts, offering a simple yet lifesaving solution to one of the biggest threats on the road.

Competing as Team Appsolute, the girls outshone rivals from Japan, Spain, Canada, and Peru to secure the world title. Their victory stands out in a competition that drew more than 33,000 participants from 117 countries, with over 3,200 tech solutions developed this year alone.

Their mentor, Somkenechukwu Mamah, founder of the Code Ambassadors Academy, calls the win a breakthrough moment:

 “This victory proves that innovation knows no age or boundary. Akachukwu and Ifunanya have shown that young people in Nigeria—and across Africa—can compete and win on the global stage.”

Both girls trained at Code Ambassadors Academy, a STEM-accredited hub that has equipped over 7,000 Nigerian children with skills in coding, robotics, AI, and design. They credit their success to their mentor’s guidance and their families’ unwavering support.

But for Team Appsolute, the trophy is only part of the story. Their victory is a message to every girl who dreams of transforming the world with technology: brilliance knows no borders, and the future is already being written—by the fearless hands of the young.

Dangote Cracks U.S. Market with Petrol Shipments

Nigeria’s $20 billion Dangote refinery has made its first set of petrol deliveries to the United States, a breakthrough that signals the facility’s ability to meet some of the world’s toughest fuel standards.

The inaugural cargo — about 320,000 barrels aboard the tanker Gemini Pearl — was bought by Vitol from Mocoh Oil, Dangote’s export partner, and sold to U.S. distributor Sunoco . Tracking data confirmed the fuel discharged at Sunoco’s Linden, New Jersey terminal.

The shipment marks a turning point for the 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery, which overcame months of startup delays. Since ramping up, Dangote has slashed Nigeria’s reliance on imported fuel while exporting surplus petrol to Europe — and now to North America.

More U.S.-bound cargoes have also been delivered. Glencore a consignment for Shell was delivered around September 19, while another, Vitol cargo aboard the Seaexplorer was delivered around September 22.

Dangote’s entry into the U.S. market underscores Nigeria’s growing weight in global energy flows and could better position fuel trade across the Atlantic.

Historic First: UN Appoints Nigeria’s Dr. Adedoyin Adeleke as Co-Chair of Global Sustainable Development Report

The United Nations has made history with the appointment of Nigerian sustainability leader, Dr. Adedoyin Adeleke, as Co-Chair of the 2027 Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR). This appointment marks the first time an African — and a Nigerian — will hold the position, signaling a powerful recognition of Africa’s growing leadership in shaping the world’s future.

Appointed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Dr. Adeleke will serve alongside Professor Phoebe Koundouri of Athens University of Economics and Business and the University of Cambridge. Together, they will guide a team of 15 internationally acclaimed scientists in delivering the UN’s flagship evidence-based publication on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The 2027 edition of the GSDR carries exceptional weight, as it will be the final report before the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Its recommendations will not only shape the world’s last push towards achieving the SDGs but also influence the post-2030 global development agenda.

Dr. Adeleke brings to this role an extraordinary record of innovation, leadership, and impact. He is the Founder and Executive Director of Green Growth Africa Sustainability Network (GreenGrowthAfrica), a UNEP-accredited NGO driving just and green transitions across the continent. With a PhD in Energy and Nuclear Science and Technology from Politecnico di Milano, Italy, Dr. Adeleke has led and contributed to international projects such as LEAP-RE and AMBITION, while inspiring a generation of African researchers and young leaders.

His initiatives have reached over 10,000 secondary school students and supported 175 graduate researchers across 57 universities in 26 African countries. He is also credited with constructing Nigeria’s first ultra-modern green building made entirely from waste plastic bottles and powered by solar energy. Through his flagship project, SNAP-Up (Scaling National Capacity for Plastic Upcycling), he is transforming waste management and promoting sustainable building solutions.

Beyond research and advocacy, Dr. Adeleke is a trailblazer in media innovation. He founded Green Growth TV & Studios, Nigeria’s first development-focused broadcasting platform, and created digital tools such as Green Growth DigiHub and Green Growth Watch, which empower citizens to track sustainable projects and defend their environmental rights.

His appointment is more than a personal milestone — it is a moment of pride for Nigeria, for Africa, and for all who believe in a sustainable future. By elevating African perspectives to the highest level of global decision-making, Dr. Adeleke’s leadership will help ensure that justice, equity, and transformation remain at the heart of the world’s sustainability agenda.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Becomes First Recipient of Germany’s Felix Jud Award for Defiant Thinking

The grand hall of Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie was filled with applause on Saturday, 20th September 2025, as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, celebrated Nigerian author and outspoken public intellectual, stepped forward to receive the inaugural Felix Jud Award for Defiant Thinking. The moment marked not only a personal triumph for Adichie but also the launch of a new cultural tradition in Germany—one that honors voices unafraid to challenge authority and resist intellectual conformity.

The prize, introduced this year, is named after Felix Jud, the legendary Hamburg bookseller and publisher who defied the Nazi regime with acts of quiet but unwavering resistance. Jud’s legacy, rooted in intellectual courage and moral clarity, remains an enduring reminder of the role individuals can play in confronting oppression.

In presenting the award, the jury described Adichie as a writer who, like Jud, has consistently chosen courage over convenience. “Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie represents a fearless commitment to truth,” the citation read. “Through her literature and public voice, she has given expression to struggles for freedom, equality, and human dignity that transcend borders.”

Adichie, whose novels Half of a Yellow Sun and Americanah have achieved global acclaim, has long extended her influence beyond literature into cultural debate. Her TED Talk We Should All Be Feminists reshaped global conversations on gender and was later adapted into a widely read book. Over the years, she has spoken candidly about feminism, race, migration, and the silences imposed by political correctness—often stirring both admiration and controversy.

In her acceptance remarks, Adichie reflected on the importance of “intellectual defiance in a world where conformity is rewarded.” She described the honor as both humbling and challenging. “To be linked to Felix Jud’s legacy is to be reminded of the duty of writers and thinkers,” she said. “It is to remember that words are not just art—they are also acts of resistance.”

The audience, a mix of literary scholars, cultural figures, and members of Hamburg’s civic community, responded with a standing ovation. Many remarked on the symbolism of awarding the first Felix Jud Prize to a writer from outside Europe, underscoring the award’s intended universality.

Adichie’s recognition comes at a time when debates on freedom of speech, migration, and cultural identity are intensifying both in Europe and beyond. For many observers, her selection serves as a powerful signal that Germany seeks to place intellectual independence and moral defiance at the heart of its cultural values.

With this award, Adichie joins a lineage of thinkers who have wielded language as a tool of resistance. And just as Felix Jud once dared to keep freedom of thought alive under dictatorship, Adichie continues to remind the world that words—sharp, truthful, and defiant—remain among the most enduring forms of power.