Five of Africa’s most influential voices in technology, media, business and soft power have been unveiled as panelists for The National Conversation at the Times Heroes Award, flagship event of the Daily Times Nigeria @100 Centenary Celebration.
They are the Managing Director of Google Africa, Mr Alex Okosi; Chief Growth & AI Officer, Microsoft Middle East & Africa, Mrs Olatomiwa Williams; Founding Partner, Future Africa, Mr Iyinoluwa Aboyeji; Media entrepreneur and storyteller, Mr Chude Jideonwo; and Founder & Creative Director, Africa Soft Power Group, Dr Nkiru Balonwu.
The conversation, with a theme titled: “Shaping the Future” holds on Monday, November 2, 2026 at the Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos while the event will be streamed Live at about 5pm on ARISE TV. Tickets via MyLagosApp
Behold the Panelists:
Alex Okosi – Managing Director, Google Africa
A seasoned media, entertainment and technology executive with over two decades of experience building global brands. Former senior leader at Viacom International Media Networks and YouTube where he supported growth of African creators, he now leads Google’s initiatives on digital access, innovation and business growth across Africa.
Olatomiwa Williams – Chief Growth & AI Officer, Microsoft Middle East & Africa
A technology executive with more than two decades in IT, digital transformation and business leadership. Former Country General Manager for Microsoft Nigeria and Ghana, she now drives growth and AI initiatives across Microsoft’s Middle East and Africa Growth Markets. She is the founder of Uzemi Technology Empowerment Initiative promoting women’s leadership in technology.
Iyinoluwa Aboyeji – Founding Partner, Future Africa
Nigerian technology entrepreneur and investor famous for co-founding Andela and Flutterwave, two influential African technology companies that have attracted significant global investment. Through Future Africa, he funds and supports innovative African founders building solutions to the continent’s challenges.
Chude Jideonwo – Media Entrepreneur & Storyteller
Co-founder of RED | For Africa, builder of http://YNaija.com and The Future Awards Africa. Lawyer, journalist, filmmaker and host of #WithChude, his work spans strategic communications, social movements and storytelling about resilience and transformation.
Dr. Nkiru Balonwu – Founder & Creative Director, Africa Soft Power Group
Lawyer, strategic advisor and founder whose work spans institutional strategy, international engagement and African thought leadership. She is the founder of Africa Soft Power, built on the conviction that Africa must not only participate in global conversations shaping its future, but help define them.
The origins date to 2017, when she established African Women on Board (AWB), focused on leadership, governance and women’s participation, which gained visibility at the United Nations General Assembly.
During COVID-19, she expanded through the Africa Soft Power Project, connecting policymakers, business leaders, academics, entrepreneurs and creatives. What began as a virtual platform became an annual international gathering — convening in Kigali for three years before moving to Nairobi in 2025, with the 2026 edition marking its seventh year.
Africa Soft Power has convened former heads of state, ministers, central bankers, investors and tech executives, with participants from UN, Google, NFL, NBA, Netflix, Meta, Apple, Afreximbank, IFC and AfCFTA. Its focus spans AI, technology governance, investment, sustainability, creative economy and moving beyond visibility towards ownership, capital and influence.
Beyond Africa Soft Power, she brings over 25 years experience across government, finance, technology, law, telecommunications and creative industries. She currently advises the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Previously, CEO of Spinlet, then Africa’s largest music streaming platform, and inaugural Lecturer in Gender and Law at University of Lagos. She holds a JSD from UC Berkeley, LLM from UCL, LLB from Manchester, admitted in England and Wales, Nigeria and New York, and was a 2022-2023 Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Mossavar-Rahmani Center. She is a recipient of the Powerlist UK Black Excellence International Award and named among New African’s 100 Most Influential Africans.
The National Conversation is the intellectual centrepiece of the DTN@100 Times Heroes Award organised by Folio Communications. It will convene leaders from technology, media, business and public policy to discuss Nigeria’s next century – innovation, digital economy, youth, AI and nation building.
The Times Heroes Award celebrates 100 years of Daily Times Nigeria, Africa’s oldest surviving newspaper, and its century of journalism and national service.
