A new wave of Nigerian entrepreneurs is shifting the global tech narrative from consumption to creation, with artificial intelligence at the core of their ventures. These founders are building solutions that address local challenges while positioning Nigeria as a hub for AI innovation. Here are 10 Nigerian AI founders leading this transformation.
1. Dr. Bosun Tijani – Co-founder of CcHUB
Dr. Bosun Tijani, co-founder of Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB), has been instrumental in fostering tech innovation across Africa. CcHUB provides a platform for startups to develop AI-driven solutions in education, health, and governance. Tijani's work has positioned Nigeria as a key player in the African tech ecosystem.
2. Odunayo Eweniyi – Co-founder of PiggyVest
Odunayo Eweniyi co-founded PiggyVest, a fintech platform that uses AI to help Nigerians save and invest. The platform leverages machine learning to offer personalized financial advice, making savings accessible to millions. PiggyVest has processed over ₦100 billion in savings since its launch.
3. Iyinoluwa Aboyeji – Co-founder of Flutterwave and Andela
Iyinoluwa Aboyeji co-founded Flutterwave, a payments infrastructure company that uses AI to prevent fraud and optimize transactions. He also co-founded Andela, which trains software engineers. Flutterwave processes over $1 billion in transactions annually, serving businesses across Africa.
4. Tunde Olanrewaju – CEO of Green Energy Biofuels
Tunde Olanrewaju leads Green Energy Biofuels, which applies AI to optimize biofuel production from agricultural waste. The company uses predictive analytics to improve efficiency, reducing carbon emissions by 30% in pilot projects.
5. Dr. Ola Brown – Founder of Flying Doctors Nigeria
Dr. Ola Brown founded Flying Doctors Nigeria, an emergency medical service that uses AI to triage patients and dispatch ambulances. The AI system analyzes symptoms and location data to reduce response times by 40%. The service has handled over 10,000 emergencies.
6. Olugbenga Agboola – CEO of Flutterwave
Olugbenga Agboola, CEO of Flutterwave, has driven the company's AI integration for payment processing. The platform's AI models detect fraudulent transactions in real-time, saving millions of dollars annually. Flutterwave serves over 900,000 businesses across 33 African countries.
7. Dr. Ndubuisi Ekekwe – Founder of First Atlantic Semiconductors
Dr. Ndubuisi Ekekwe founded First Atlantic Semiconductors, which develops AI chips for African applications. The company's microchips are used in smart agriculture and healthcare devices, reducing reliance on imports. Ekekwe holds multiple patents in AI hardware.
8. Temi Giwa-Tubosun – CEO of LifeBank
Temi Giwa-Tubosun is CEO of LifeBank, a health tech company that uses AI to manage blood and medical supply logistics. The platform predicts demand and optimizes delivery routes, reducing waste by 25%. LifeBank has delivered over 30,000 units of blood to hospitals.
9. Eghosa Omoigui – Founder of EchoVC
Eghosa Omoigui founded EchoVC, a venture capital firm that invests in AI startups across Africa. The firm has backed over 20 companies, including those using AI in fintech and agriculture. Omoigui emphasizes the importance of AI in solving local problems.
10. Dr. Obinna Ukwuani – Co-founder of Kudi.ai
Dr. Obinna Ukwuani co-founded Kudi.ai, a platform that uses natural language processing to enable financial transactions via chat. The AI understands multiple Nigerian languages, making banking accessible to unbanked populations. Kudi.ai processes over 500,000 transactions monthly.
These founders exemplify the shift from consumers to creators, leveraging AI to tackle local challenges in finance, health, energy, and logistics. Their work not only drives economic growth but also inspires a new generation of Nigerian innovators.
