Nigerian technology entrepreneur and youth ambassador, Amb. Damilare Ajiboye, has called on African leaders and innovators to redefine leadership as a tool for influence, integrity, and trust, rather than authority or control.
Ajiboye made this statement while speaking at the Global Visionary Leadership Summit 2025, held in Abuja under the theme “Beyond Authority: Building Influence and Trust as a Leader.” The summit, which convened visionaries and changemakers from across Africa, served as a platform for dialogue on ethical leadership, digital transformation, and inclusive innovation in the modern era.
The summit brought together high-level personalities, including Senator Shehu Sani, Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande, HRH Mrs Omu Onyebuchi Okonkwo, Dame Dr Mary Anne-Mensah, Dr Khadijah Musa Sadiqah, Hon. Zinab Buba Galadima (CFR), and other distinguished thought leaders from across Africa. The event was convened and hosted by Amb. Dr Chinwe Lillian is a renowned advocate for visionary and value-based leadership whose efforts continue to highlight the importance of ethical governance and responsible innovation.
As one of the keynote panellists, Ajiboye spoke passionately about the future of leadership in Africa’s digital economy. He emphasised that true leadership is measured not by authority, but by the ability to inspire, build trust, and create platforms that empower others. Drawing from his experience in the technology sector, he underscored the need for young innovators to pair technical expertise with empathy, integrity, and a strong sense of purpose.
“In an age where technology connects us faster than ever, influence must come from integrity, not position,” Ajiboye said. “We earn trust by serving people, not by standing above them. That’s what leadership beyond authority truly means.”
During the summit, Ajiboye was also recognised with the Tech Entrepreneur of the Year Award for his remarkable contribution to Africa’s growing technology ecosystem. As the CEO and Founder of Ocean Trends Digital Limited, a product-led software development company, Ajiboye has overseen the creation of innovative solutions across fintech, education, and social enterprise, helping bridge digital gaps and create opportunities for young professionals.
Organisers described him as “a visionary leader redefining what it means to merge technology with purpose, business with ethics, and innovation with human impact.” His leadership, they noted, reflects the values of resilience, transparency, and collaboration essential to Africa’s development story.
The Global Visionary Leadership Summit, now one of Africa’s most respected leadership gatherings, continues to inspire dialogue between government, business, and civil society, fostering a new generation of African leaders committed to trust, collaboration, and inclusive growth. The 2025 edition once again reaffirmed the continent’s potential to shape a future rooted in innovation, responsibility, and shared prosperity.
