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Gbenga SESAN Executive Director, Paradigm Initiative, Lagos

CV

 Gbenga Sesan is the Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative, a pan-African social enterprise working on digital inclusion and digital rights through its offices in Cameroon, Nigeria, Tanzania, Togo and Zambia. Prior to starting Paradigm Initiative, 'Gbenga led the Lagos Digital Village, a joint project of Junior Achievement of Nigeria, Microsoft and Lagos State Government. Originally trained as an Electronic & Electrical Engineer at Obafemi Awolowo University, he completed Executive Education programs at Lagos Business School, New York Group for Technology Transfer, Oxford University, Harvard University, Stanford University, Santa Clara University and University of the Pacific. 'Gbenga's consulting experience includes assignments completed for numerous institutions, including Microsoft, Harvard University and United Nations agencies, among others, in over 30 countries. A Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur of the Year and former member of the United Nations Committee of eLeaders on Youth and ICT, he is a CyberStewards Fellow, Crans Montana Forum Fellow, Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellow, Ashoka Fellow, Our Common Future Fellow and Cordes Fellow. ‘Gbenga served as a member of the Presidential committees on Harmonization of Information Technology, Telecommunications and Broadcasting Sectors (2006) and Roadmap for the Achievement of Accelerated Universal Broadband Infrastructure and Services Provision (2013), and was listed by CNN as one of the Top 10 African Tech Voices on Twitter and by Ventures Africa as one of 40 African Legends Under 40.

Mitgliedschaften

Freedom Online Coalition Advisory Network
Nigeria Computer Society
Nigerian Internet Registration Association
Internet Society

Publikationen

Youth, ICTs and Human Development. TODA Institute, Hawaii
Social Media and Elections in Nigeria. UNDP, Nigeria
Digital Lifestyle of Connected Nigerians. Paradigm Initiative, Nigeria
Internet Freedom in Nigeria. Freedom House, USA

Auszeichnungen

Ashoka Globalizer Fellow (2019)
Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellowship (2017)
Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur of the Year (2014)
Ashoka Fellow (2008)
Nigeria’s Information Technology Youth Ambassador (2001-2002)