A recent graduate of the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Adeyinka Ogunbajo, has been honoured with the Nelson Mandela Leadership Award of Excellence and Integrity by the West African Youth Council.

The award recognises his exceptional contributions to youth mentorship, social development, and academic advancement in Nigeria. A Mechatronics Engineering graduate and passionate artificial intelligence (AI) enthusiast, Adeyinka currently works as a data scientist at the Data Science Network in Yaba, Lagos, where he continues to drive innovation and capacity building in the tech space.

Adeyinka’s transformative impact began at FUNAAB, where he played a key role in founding and nurturing the AI+ FUNAAB chapter. Through his leadership, the club became a beacon of innovation, offering training in Python programming and Machine Learning to students and staff. His efforts not only built a strong foundation for AI education at the university but also earned AI+ FUNAAB the title of Best AI+ Club of the Year at the 2020 Artificial Intelligence Bootcamp. This achievement underscores his ability to inspire, mentor, and mobilise resources for impactful projects.

Beyond the university, Adeyinka’s commitment to advancing Nigeria’s AI ecosystem is evident in initiatives like the Train the Teachers programme, where he trained over 2,000 Ogun State teachers in AI concepts. He also organised and facilitated AI training sessions across various hubs in Ogun State, significantly expanding access to AI education and fostering a culture of innovation.

Adeyinka’s work has inspired countless students, many of whom are now emerging as thought leaders and researchers in the AI field, and this effort has received widespread attention across Africa. His dedication to mentorship and capacity building exemplifies the transformative power of education and technology in driving sustainable development.

The Nelson Mandela Leadership Award is a testament to Adeyinka’s unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity, and youth empowerment. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the potential of young Nigerians to create lasting change. With this, Adeyinka has now become an African Youth Ambassador and role model recognised across the continent.