FRIENDS OF NIGERIA - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Co - Founder
• Development Consultant
• Vice - President
• International Development Consultant
• Project Manager for the Nigeria - France Tech Initiative

Abiodun Dominic Odunuga is an international development consultant. Having acquired over 10 years of experience in the field of sustainability, entrepreneurship and International development, Abiodun has developed and worked on projects with organizations such as the World Bank, European Union, United Nations (UN), Africa Development Bank (AfDB), and The Commonwealth across Africa and Europe. He has presented various papers relating to entrepreneurship, social innovation and sustainability at different levels such as the International Conference on Sustainable Development (ICSD) in New York, United States as well as the in Rome Italy. He has consulted for various government agencies in Nigeria and France on economic initiatives in Agriculture, Digital Technology and Industry. Abiodun has also worked with various Sates Governments in Nigeria and the Nigeria Governors Forum with respect to development projects and attracting foreign investments. He holds a Masters in Development Practice (MDP) degree from Sciences Po, Paris. Abiodun is also the project manager for the Nigeria-France Tech Initiative (NFTI) recently launched by the Embassy of Nigeria, Paris amidst stakeholders such as the French Development Agency (AFD) and the Nigeria Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to support the tech ecosystem between France and Nigeria. He is a recipient of many international awards such as the Tocqueville Active Citizens Award for Co-creation and Community Impact in France as well as the United States of America Partnership award for Economic Empowerment by the United States Consulate, Lagos, Nigeria. Based in Paris, he brings his wealth of experience in training, project management, fundraising and business development to consult for various International organizations focusing on Africa as it relates to investment opportunities, supporting start-ups, and empowering small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs). Abiodun is also a lecturer on Leadership, Soft Skills and Entrepreneurship with leading institutions having students across Africa and Europe. He is a frequent global conference speaker and sits on the board of many organizations. As the Co-Founder and Vice-President of Friends of Nigeria, Abiodun serves in the Executive role of Director of Partnerships for the organization. When he's not working, you can catch him mentoring young people, discovering new cultures, volunteering for noble causes or watching movies. Nkechi NWOSU is a HR professional with over a decade of solid experience in multiple HR disciplines

Job Titles:

• Head of Professional Committee

Job Titles:

• Head of Business Committee

Job Titles:

• Member of the FON Belgium & Luxembourg Team
• Nigerian Writer

Angel is a Nigerian writer, performing poet, and visual storyteller. She is the author of "The Days of Silence" (MASOBE 2021) and "SUNDANCE" (a collection of poems & notes. With a passion for amplifying unheard voices and shedding light on sensitive themes, she seeks to inspire change and foster meaningful dialogue through impactful storytelling.

Job Titles:

• FON Germany Executive Member

Job Titles:

• Engineer
• FON Germany Executive Member

Chioma Okonkwo is a chemical engineer who is dedicated to lifelong learning and advancement. She has a strong interest in biotechnology and process engineering, and she is excited to make a significant contribution to the health industry. Between 2019 and 2020, Chioma was the National Vice President of the Nigerian Scholars in Germany, the largest association of Nigerian scholars and professionals in Germany. Chioma graduated from the University of Port Harcourt with a bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering and just completed a master's degree in Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering at Hamburg University of Technology in Germany. She likes to learn new things, collaborate with others, network, go on road trips, and listen to music. She is proficient in English, German, and Igbo.

Job Titles:

• Meet Art Director

Job Titles:

• Management Consultant
• Founder and Managing Director of Avandis Consulting

Dr Anino Emuwa is an international management consultant with over twenty-five years' professional experience in Europe and Africa.

Job Titles:

• Founder & Ceo, Phobos

Dr Emmanuel Igah is a seasoned professional with considerable international experience. He holds a Doctorate Degree (PhD) in Economic Geography and Development Planning from the University of Paris IV Sorbonne and an International Executive Master of Business Administration (IEMBA) from the International School of Management - ISM, Paris/New York, both obtained after initial studies (Masters) in Architecture and Project Management in Paris. Actively engaged in teaching in various institutions, Dr Igah has carried out a substantial number of publications on different topics. He was conferred in 2001 with the French National Order of Merit Award for his professional achievements.

Job Titles:

• Engineer
• Chemical Engineer

Ewa trained as a chemical Engineer in Covenant University, Nigeria and the University of Technology Hamburg, Germany respectively and has been working in the food processing Industry over the past few years with a career spanning multiple countries. Languages have formed a part of Ewa's experience as she speaks multiple Languages (Hausa, Pidgin English, English, Yoruba, German and Italian) and is currently working on improving her French. She is a techpreneur at heart and is currently involved in various projects in Nigeria revolving around agriculture and food processing. Additionally, Ewa is an avid reader, writer and continuously follows topics bordering on sustainability and development. She currently splits her time between the Frankfurt area of Germany and Nigeria.

Job Titles:

• Head of Governance Committee
• Infrastructure Analyst

Ifeanyi Nwadishi is a result driven IT Professional with extensive experience in IT Governance and Operations. Having acquired over 10 years of experience in Information Technology in different business sectors such as Training and development for youths in ways that build their innovative and creative capacities , Insurance, Manufacturing, Agriculture, Software development etc. Ifeanyi has developed and worked on projects with organizations like MindAfrica Leadership Initiative on IT empowerment and youth development for Teenagers and youths in underserved communities in South-South Region of Nigeria. His passion for Innovation and love for Electronics prompt him to developing a Remote control for Fans(ventilators) in Nigeria. This idea was borne out of his passion for giving back to the community after an encounter with some physically challenged group of people in Nigeria. This initiative was what led to his being a board member and one of the creative minds of a Startup in Nigeria (Royallabs Technologies) that specialized in providing Electrical and Electronics solutions such as the Auto-Hydro gauge, Solar panels etc. He is also a founding member of a Tech Start-up SMAT(See my Africa Tech) in Nigeria where they develop software solutions and handle various IT related Projects.

Job Titles:

• Director of Events
• Founder of the Crystal Deroche Agency

She also organizes exhibits and various events in the fashion and art industry to meet the needs of designers to showcase their talents. One of Crystal's favorite projects was to develop and organize an installation based on the idea of Afrofusion. The exhibition explored the concept of merging Africa's heritage with the rest of the world.

Job Titles:

• President
• President of the FON Belgium & Luxembourg Team

John presently heads Project Development for CMR Group in Sub-Saharan Africa focusing on clean and renewable energy power plants and solutions. Before joining CMR Group, John worked for 6 years at VERGNET Group and was directly involved in opening up selected new markets in Africa as well as originating and closing project deals. John's experience in Business and Project development spans across 15 Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, and covers a large portfolio of clean energy infrastructure projects for private and public off-takers. Before getting involved in clean energy and infrastructure, John worked as a Project Manager in the public and private sectors in Nigeria including working at Nigeria's Presidency between 2012 and 2013 where John was part of a project team in charge of deploying a public-private partnership project geared towards job creation amongst Nigerian youths. John also co-founded several capacity building initiatives including the "mentor-me" initiative which won a state government award for excellence in Nigeria in 2013. John is an international key-note speaker and panelist on topics related to clean energy, innovation, and Africa. John has delivered various presentations and key notes at more than 15 international conferences across 10 Countries. John is a non-executive board member of a number of companies and non-profit organizations in Africa and Europe, spanning across Engineering, Technology, and human capital development. John holds a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from Covenant University, Nigeria and a Master Degree in Project Management and Business Development from Skema Business School, France. John is also an alumnus of the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management's Climate and Renewable Energy FInance Program. John is a member of the Project Management Institute and holds the global Project Management Professional (PMP) certification since 2013. John serves as the President and Director of Administration for Friends of Nigeria, Europe. John works closely in collaboration with leaders of other African Diaspora organizations to promote the attractiveness of the African continent to foreign investors and the Diaspora community in Europe. John has a flair for sports and music. He plays football, badminton, ping pong, tennis and is also a member of the IBB Golf and Country Club Abuja. John also plays the Piano, Drums, and Bass Guitar. John enjoys discovering new places, making new friends, and spending ample time with his family.

Job Titles:

• President and CEO, GreenElec

Job Titles:

• Director of Media & Communications
• HR Professional

Nkechi Nwosu is a HR professional with over a decade of solid experience in multiple HR disciplines including strategic planning, leadership, people operations & employer branding. Over the course of her career, she has developed a wealth of experience, working in both multinational companies and start-ups, and collaborating in global environments across Europe, Africa, South America and Asia in multiple sectors: oil & gas, agriculture, healthcare, IT, and tourism. As a co-founder of Level Hire, she oversees the conception and implementation of the organization's strategic business plan and operational framework. Nkechi is happy to serve on the Friends of Nigeria Europe (FON) board facilitating business collaboration between French and European companies and startups with their Nigerian counterparts, and vice-versa She is a lover of arts in all its forms and expression: music, dance, fine arts, performing arts, and has channels this creativity in consulting on high-level events that bring cultures together such as African food and French wine tasting events. As a social networker passionate about creating platforms and supporting stages that promote inter-cultural exchanges, networking and social / community development, she's been part of the management team of various networking platforms across France. In Nice, she was part of the organizing team for NTA, Nice - a prominent social group in the French Riviera bringing together hundreds of expats and locals through various social events. This love had in the past led her to create the defunct "ECOWAS Young Professionals" association in 2015 at Grenoble, whose objective was to create a platform where professional Franco-phone and Anglo-phone West Africans could collaborate and share value. Nkechi holds a Master's Degree in International Human Resources Management and Organizational Development from Grenoble Ecole de Management, France, and a Bachelor's Degree in French Language from Abia State University, Nigeria. She speaks English, French, Igbo, a bit of Yoruba, and Pidgin English.

Job Titles:

• FON Germany Executive Member

Job Titles:

• FON Germany Executive Member
• Founder & Ceo Phobos

Oluwasegun Kadiri is an astute Data Professional. He currently works as a Data WareHouse Engineer/Data Platform Engineer at InnoGames GMBH. Prior to InnoGames GMBH, Segun worked mostly with Sterling Bank Plc as a BI Developer where he initially commenced as an Operations staff and subsequently transitioned into the Information Technology Department garnering varied experience from Software Development, to Quality Assurance, Change and Release Management, Service Management and Data Development and Business Intelligence.

Job Titles:

• Director of Professional Membership

Job Titles:

• Director of Professional Membership
• Financial Services Consultant

Oyindamola Olusunmade is a Financial services consultant currently working at Altran, a global innovation and engineering consulting firm. She has almost four years work experience in France, Luxembourg, and Nigeria with multinational companies across diverse sectors including Fintech, Investment Banking, Aerospace and Asset Management. Specifically, Oyindamola's previous clients and employers include corporations such as Airbus, PayPal, AXA Investment Managers and Société General Corporate and Investment Bank. While serving these organisations, her cognate work experience cut across a vast range of business concerns to include Finance, Risk Management, Regulatory Due Dilligence and Compliance. Oyindamola obtained her bachelor's degree in Economics from Caleb University in Nigeria and is a holder of a Masters of Finance degree from Grenoble Ecole de Management in France. She has also passed Level I of the CFA Program. Oyindamola enjoys travelling, experiencing different cultures through food, arts and languages. She speaks French, Yoruba and English. When she is not at work, she is exploring the world and appreciating the diversity in its people and cultures.

Job Titles:

• CEO, SCB Sub Sahara

Serge has accumulated a wide experience as a consultant, as an entrepreneur and as a senior manager within large companies. He started his career at the Boston Consulting Group where was elected Vice President and Director in 1985. He initiated an entrepreneurial venture in 1991 and launched a retail service chain. After the sale of the business, he then joined Capgemini in 2001 where he held several senior management positions. In 2010, He decided to join OC&C a leading consulting firm where he was elected partner. In 2015 he founded SCB-SUBSAHARA with a team of recognized high level experts. The company is dedicated to assisting corporations in their global expansion and offers a full range of services from designing international strategic plans to monitoring sales generation programs. Serge is recognized as a specialist of growth issues and international development. In this area, he has authored several books: "Quand les RH construisent la croissance" (2005), "Notre avenir depend d'eux" (2010) and lately, together with several CEO's of large groups, he contributed to a book called, "La France et ses Multinationales". He has delivered numerous speeches and published a number of articles on his preferred themes. Serge Blanchard is a graduate of Ecole Centrale de Paris and obtained an MBA at the Wharton School of Finance, University of Pennsylvania

Job Titles:

• Co - Founder of W45

Sherriff Tahiru is a seasoned communication professional who passionately believes in the potential of digital media to spur socio-economic development. He has worked with, partnered, and collaborated with renowned global organizations, crafting compelling narratives that effect meaningful change. As the co-founder of W45, Sherriff is instrumental in devising communication strategies and supporting media campaigns. His leadership has been pivotal in championing social change through different projects across northern Nigeria, notably in amplifying the voices of the disabled and leading advocacy for girl-child education. His consultancy roles with PPDC, the Engine Room, and Reboot underscore his expertise in policy advocacy, data-informed decision-making, and also, the vital role media plays in ensuring good governance. In his recent role at Databoom, Sherriff was at the forefront of leveraging evidence-based insights for strategic decision-making. At FIPRA Public Affairs, based in Brussels, he supported international teams to craft content that resonated with a global audience while gaining a deeper understanding of the interplay between politics, policy, and digital communication. His hands-on storytelling approach shines through his diverse portfolio of text, visuals, and audiovisual content. His drive for continuous growth led him to prestigious programs like the Facebook Video Storytellers-Africa and the Nas Academy, honing his skills and broadening his global connections. Motivated by a deep-rooted moral ethos, Sherriff's career path is a tribute to his unwavering belief in a brighter future. By embracing collaboration and pushing boundaries, he remains dedicated to joining hands with global visionaries to create lasting change. Sherriff has a bachelor's Degree in Accounting, and a Masters's Degree in Political Science, both from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. He also holds a Masters's Degree in Communication with a focus on Digital Media from the Vrije Universiteit of Brussels. For his hobbies, Sherriff loves to hike, play billiards, and photograph nature.