Meet The 2025 Speakers

Amadi Ekwutosilam

Amadi Ekwutosilam Njoku, also known as Mazi Emeritus, is a Nigerian writer, educator, and cultural advocate with more than a decade of experience in literature and education. His work examines identity, tradition, and personal transformation, often through the eyes of children and adolescents.
His debut children’s book, The Invincible Will, earned national and international recognition, including the ANA Prize for Children’s Literature (2022), the Tamikio L. Dooley Award (2023), and the Akachi Ezeigbo Prize for Children’s Literature (2024). He is the author of Against the Wind, the sequel to The Invincible Will and the second book in a planned trilogy that will conclude with Beyond the Finish Line. His other works include Hakeem’s Dream and Other Stories for middle-grade readers, Echoes of Our Voices, a poetry collection for young readers, The Weight of Lies, a crime coming-of-age novel, and 0otu ilu Amasiri, a folktale collection celebrating the oral traditions of his hometown. His educational text, Eraz Literature-in-English, has helped thousands of Nigerian students prepare for national exams.
Amadi’s writing has appeared in The Nation, Kalahari Review, ANA Review, Daily Sun, and in several anthologies highlighting African literary voices. He has served as Managing Editor of Africa Press Chamber and has taught English and Literature in Lagos, preparing over a thousand students for national and international examinations. He has also received fellowships from the Ebedi International Writers Residency (2023) and Imodoye Writers Residency (2024).
Grounded in his cultural heritage, Amadi founded Amasiri Odyssey, a platform dedicated to preserving the history and traditions of his community. He is a member of SCBWI (US), the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), SBMEN, and ELTAN.
Amadi writes with the conviction that stories can mend what the world breaks. His work stands at the meeting point of education, heritage, and the restorative power of words.

Amaka Ohia

Amaka Ohia is a writer, lawyer and a Judex. She is also a Child's Rights Advocate with special interest in literacy. Amaka enjoys writing. She has written several books covering different genres of literature for varying ages. Her passion remains creating didactic and contemporary stories for children and young people.

Ayodeji Anifowose

Ayodeji Anifowose is an author, content creator, certified life and marriage coach/counselor, and Lead Pastor at RCCG Arise Church, Riverside, California. With a background in Economics and a passion for teaching God's word, he is dedicated to raising world changers and promoting the gospel through digital media.
Ayodeji is a prolific and versatile author, with an impressive collection of nearly 40 published works, including 10 delightful children's books that continue to inspire and captivate young minds.
He runs the Great Father, Great Husband YouTube channel, offering practical guidance on faith, family, and leadership. Ayodeji is also a songwriter with eight released tracks, and he has a special calling to mentor boys into godly men. He's also the CEO of AYO LLC, a multimedia company.
He is happily married to Opeyemi, and they are blessed with four daughters.

Bolanle Afolabi

Bolanle Afolabi is a Partner at a Big 4 consulting firm with over 19 years of experience transforming finance functions across organizations. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and the Lead Facilitator at the KPMG Accounting Institute.
In her role as Partner, Bolanle has recruited and mentored over 150 young professionals, equipping them with the right skills, mindset, and values to thrive. Her leadership is rooted in delivering value, excellence, and resilience—qualities that also shape her parenting philosophy.
Beyond her corporate leadership, Bolanle extends her passion for mentorship into education and community development. Through mentoring initiatives at WIMBIZ and KPMG, she guides aspiring professionals, while also contributing to education and community growth as a Finance Committee Member of the Corona Schools’ Trust Council and an Education Committee Member at Tope Olagbegi’s Circle of Influence (TOCI).
As a mother of two and aunt to nine, Bolanle’s parenting journey is anchored in faith, intentionality, and structure. She is a member of the Intentional Parenting Academy and the author of Little Manners, Big Impact, a practical guide designed to help parents raise well-mannered, value-rooted children in today’s complex world.
Bolanle’s work reflects a powerful intersection of professional impact and personal purpose. As a speaker, she brings practical insights and faith-rooted wisdom to help parents nurture future leaders and create a meaningful impact.

Bukola Akinsanya

Oluwabukunola Akinsanya is a graduate of Mass Communication from Pan-Atlantic University. She enjoys writing novels, poems, and short stories, and is an avid reader who loves watching crime and law shows. Her favorite author is Jane Austen, and she hopes to study Child Psychology in the future.
Oluwabukunola has a passion for various forms of art, including painting, drawing, and tie-dye. Her hobbies include listening to music, meditating, planting, and writing quotations.

Chinenyenwa Anih

CHINENYENWA ANIH-IBEKAKU is a passionate educator, accomplished author, and dedicated literacy advocate with over a decade of experience teaching, mentoring, and inspiring learners across all levels of basic education. With a deep-rooted commitment to promoting literacy and lifelong learning, she has become a trusted voice in Nigeria's educational landscape.
She is the author of THE TALKING MUSHROOM AND OTHER STORIES, a compelling collection that celebrates African oral traditions, instils moral values, and sparks the imagination of young readers. In recognition of her commitment to storytelling and cultural preservation, she was named the Winner of AFIATV'S "MY ENUGU STORY" in 2023, an accolade that highlights her talent for weaving local narratives with universal themes.
Chinenyenwa is the visionary founder of SMART START VILLE ACADEMY, a literacy-centered education brand dedicated to equipping students, parents, and teachers with the tools and strategies they need to thrive. Through customised coaching programs, interactive workshops, and resource development, she helps families and educators ignite a love of reading and build strong foundational skills.
Her impact extends further through SMART TEACHERS CONNECT, a vibrant and growing community she leads for passionate and forward-thinking educators. She also runs the SMART TEACHER ACADEMY, an innovative training platform that empowers teachers with practical skills, creative methodologies, and ongoing professional development opportunities.
Chinenyenwa's work is deeply inspired by her belief in the transformative power of education. She combines storytelling, cultural pride, and learner-centred pedagogy to create enriching experiences that resonate beyond the classroom. Whether she is writing, teaching, or training, her mission remains clear: to turn learning into a joyful, empowering journey for all.

Ekanem Ogegere

Emonena Abenabe

Emonena Abenabe Akwara is a passionate health educator, author, and stroke/health advocate dedicated to promoting health awareness and inclusive communities. As a stroke survivor, she transformed her personal experience into a mission to educate and empower others. She is the founder of My Ability In Disability (MAID) Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports stroke survivors and individuals with disabilities through education, advocacy, and community programs.
She is also the creator of Use Strokie, an initiative that uses storytelling and animation to teach children about stroke and other health topics in fun, relatable ways. Her children’s book, Hey, I Spotted a Stroke and her YouTube channel for kids called "Use Strokie Kids", introduces young minds to healthy living. Beyond education, Use Strokie brings practical care solutions for stroke survivors, bridging the gap between awareness and recovery.
Through her work, Emonena continues to champion health literacy and disability inclusion on local and global platforms.

Eniola Olajobi

Shakirah Eniola Olajobi, the Founding President of the Association of Nigerian Educational Psychologists (ANEP) has been working as a practicing Psychologist and parenting coach for over a decade.
As the Team Lead for The Neurobide and CEO of Brainy Educare, she specializes in cognitive profiling, emotional health education and brain training for optimal performance in both children and adults.
Mrs Eniola is a certified Assessment expert with a Certificate in Educational Testing duly accredited by the British Psychological Society and the Federation of European Psychologists.
As an accredited management consultant, she also has a certification in Entrepreneurship Management from Lagos Business School of the Pan Atlantic University, and a School Leadership and Management Certification from Harvard Business School and Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Shakirah is the Director, The Outliers School Surulere and she currently also serves as a consultant at the Universal Basic Education Commission, Abuja, as well as a learning facilitator at the University of Lagos Consult. She has been at the forefront of staging unique programs targeted at motivating people for lifelong learning. She has given several keynote presentations and lectures as well as hands on workshops on emotional health, emotional wellness, emotional hygiene and emotional first aid.
During the pandemic, she published a series of emotional wellness kits for children and adults, the first of its kind that have sold thousands of copies across 9 countries.

Eshema Momoh

Ms. Eshema Momoh is a renowned education leader, author, and advocate for educational transformation. With over 20 years of inclusive experience in operations management, management development, school administration, curriculum design, and teacher training, she is deeply passionate about nurturing the next generation. As the author of the children’s book “A New School Experience,” she demonstrates her commitment to supporting and inspiring young learners.
She holds an MSc in Operations Management from the University of Birmingham, UK, a BSc in Polymer Science & Technology from Manchester Metropolitan University, and a Professional Diploma in Education from Corona College of Education, Lagos.
Currently serving as Head Teacher at Crown Gate School, Lagos, and as an educational consultant, Ms. Momoh drives academic excellence, promotes diversified learning, and fosters teacher growth. Beyond the classroom, she is a dedicated youth mentor, conference facilitator, and advocate for educational innovation.
Her unwavering passion for children and youth development continues to make her a beacon of inspiration to educators, parents, and learners alike.

Ifeoluwa Aduradola

Ifeoluwa Aduradola is a literacy advocate and children's books author from Ogun State, Nigeria. She is the founder of Onkawe Book Club (for adults), Onkawe Junior Book Club (age 5-12) and Onkawe Education Foundation. She has a B.A in English and an M.A in Literature from the prestigious Redeemer's University in Ede, Osun State, Nigeria. She also holds a Professional Diploma in Early Childhood Care, Development and Education from Corona College of Education, Lagos State, Nigeria. She is currently studying to become a Child Psychologist.
Through her foundation, she has facilitated trainings for early years teachers in low income schools as well as orientation programs for parents in rural communities. Ifeoluwa loves children and is passionate about ensuring that every child, regardless of their family financial background, has access to quality education and literacy.
She is an advocate of better parenting and wholesome family life. She and her husband host the Parenting is an Action Word Podcast where they share they parenting experiences and insights to having a wholesome family life. She is the author of Parenting is an Action Word and the award-winning BamBam's Surprise, Tami's Song, God Wants You to be Like Him amongst others. She is also COO of Studio 5:13, a creative studio birthed in 2022.

Kanyinsola Balogun

Kanyinsola Balogun-Kuku is a Nigerian visual artist celebrated for her bold and distinctive approach to abstract painting. Her artistic journey began in childhood, and over the years, her works have been showcased in galleries and showrooms, earning recognition for their expressive depth and grandeur.
She holds a B.A. in English Literature and began her career in broadcasting, working in both television and radio. To further expand her expertise, she earned an M.A. in Global Media and Communication from the University of Leicester, strengthening her background in storytelling and communication.
In addition to her visual artistry, Kanyinsola is a writer and the author of the childrens book The Boy Who Grew Backwards. She has also contributed as a moderator and panelist at several events, where she shares her insights on creativity, media, and social impact.
Deeply committed to youth empowerment, she serves as the Head of Operations for TEDxOluyole, a non-profit initiative dedicated to inspiring and motivating young people across Nigeria. Alongside her creative and philanthropic work, she also pursues a career in the banking industry.
Kanyinsola is happily married and a proud mother of two, successfully balancing her professional and personal life. In her leisure time, she enjoys painting, writing, singing, and traveling.

Lola Odeyale

Dr. Lola Odeyale Ayo-Fashida is an award winning Finance and Management Consultant, an author, global speaker, Inspirational Leader and transformational coach whose passion is in life improvement, leadership development and financial advancement.
  She holds a PhD in Personnel Psychology from the University of Ibadan and she is concerned with children enlightenment, youth development and women empowerment.
  Dr. Lola has impacted over 10,000 children, youths and women since the inception of her profession. She is a mentor and coach on several prestigious platforms locally and internationally and has won several awards, presented on radio and TV on the topic of national development.
Dr. Lola is the author of six books: I've seen God, My Pot of Gold,: unlocking your personal treasury, Broken, Bisola visits her Grandma (Book 1), Bisola and the colorful jars (Book 2) and From Shares to wealth: a complete guide to investing in shares.
  She is happily married and blessed with lovely children.  

Moyosoreoluwa Aladesuyi

Moyosoreoluwa Deborah Aladesuy is a writer, podcaster (Not So Random with Mo), editor, and a lover of children. Moyosore is a young lady, called to empower people, particularly ladies and children to: discover their God-given identity, walk in the fullness of God's purpose for their life, and to maintain relationships that are founded on the principles of the Scriptures.
She is a co-founder of "Lady of Substance"; an e-community of young ladies set to raise intentional ladies who are sold out; ablaze for God and balanced in every facet of life. She is passionate about seeing people grow in the truth that is God's word by teaching, writing, and counselling. She's the author of "The A To Z of You", a devotional for children.
Moyo personally believes that "if we all understood our identity in Christ, the world would be a better place."

Ogbu Eme

Ogbu Eme is an award-winning children’s writer. He is the author of two socially conscious children’s books titled Not Too Young to Run and The Water School. In September 2019, he won the African Writers Award for Children’s Literature, and then the Wakini Kuria Prize in November 2022.
Ogbu has a Bachelor of Arts in mass communication from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He is an English teacher and an advocate for accessible reading.

Olajumoke Oluade

Jumoke Oluade is a Brand Strategist and Writer who has a master’s degree in Public and Internatonal Afairs (MPIA) from the University of Lagos. The major part of her work as a writer has been in the ghostwritng space, where she has writen and edited about 18 manuscripts. Jumoke briefy worked as the Managing Editor of a legal magazine, a developmental editor with Okada Books, a creatve writer with Africa Radio Drama Associaton (ARDA- dci), and an independent writer with some organizatons. She currently manages Astris Consult; a brand consultng frm.

Solape Azazi

Solape Azazi is an inspiring leader and advocate in the world of autism and special needs support. As a WHO CST Master Trainer, International Behavior Analyst, Qualified Autism Services Practitioners Supervisor (QABA certified), and IBCCES Certi?ed Autism Specialist, she has dedicated her career to empowering families and caregivers with the tools they need to improve the lives of individuals with autism.
Solape is the driving force behind Cradle Lounge Special Needs Initiatives, a non-pro?t organization she founded to raise awareness, advocate for inclusion, and provide essential resources to families navigating autism. Through her work, she’s helped countless caregivers overcome challenges, and support, and foster a higher quality of life for their loved ones.
A passionate storyteller, Solape is the author of the children books My Friend Has Autism and The Magical Market of Maraba. She is also a producer of the groundbreaking documentary Echoes of Hope: Navigating Autism in Nigeria, both of which shine a light on the experiences of individuals with autism and their families.
In addition to her advocacy work, Solape brings extensive experience in HR generalist a?airs, with a strong background in employee relations, sta? management, and project leadership.
As a wife and mother of two boys, one of whom was diagnosed with ASD at age three, Solape’s journey is deeply personal. She understands firsthand the challenges that come with raising a child on the autism spectrum, and her mission is to ensure that every family receives the support, understanding, and opportunities they deserve.
Quick short into: Solape Azazi, a passionate autism advocate, International Behavior Analyst (IBA), and the Executive Director of Cradle Lounge Special Needs Initiative. She is also an author, documentary producer, and parent navigator supporting families of autistic individuals. Solape has dedicated her work to raising awareness, improving access to autism services, and influencing policies that promote inclusion in Nigeria.

Stephanie Odili

Stephanie Chizoba Odili is a UK-born Nigerian writer. She obtained her first degree in Mass Communication, majoring in broadcast journalism at Covenant University, Nigeria; a PGCE (Post Graduate in Education) from the University of Essex, and an MA in Contemporary Creative Writing from Northeastern University, London.
She is the author of multiple books including Deafening Silence, which came 2nd place at the 2019 Association of Nigerian Authors Prize For Fiction. Stephanie's debut children's story Tea Time With Tito also won second place at the 2021 Wakini Kuria Award for Children's Literature. Her short story Ijeoma was featured in Adda's 2023 Remember to Rest collection. Saint Sisters Mystery Club is her first children's book and the first in its series.
When not writing or teaching English, she's watching crime documentaries, listening to a Christian sermon, or reading a good book.