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Ade A. Olufeko

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In this Ijebu name, the Yoruba surname is Olufeko.
Ade Olufeko
Olufeko in Cairo Egypt, 2017
Born1980 (age 44–45)
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Nationality
  • Nigerian
  • American
Other namesAdéolu
Alma materSt. Gregory's College
Occupations
  • Technologist
  • entrepreneur
Known forHumanities and innovation, Founding of Visual Collaborative
Founder or WCBFFWC
Notable workNorth Star (2019)
Remember To Rise (2018)
Iyasile Naa (2017)

Ade Abayomi Olufeko (born 1980) is a Nigerian-American technologist and multidisciplinary designer. He is the founder of Visual Collaborative, an American platform collaborating with diverse experts on socio-economic issues, innovation, and the humanities.[1]

In 2017, Olufeko contributed to the rediscovery and documentation of Sungbo's Eredo, an extensive system of historical earthworks in West Africa. In 2024, he established the Wing Chun Foundation Lagos, an initiative based in Lagos, Nigeria, that applies martial arts principles to leadership and cognitive development.[2][3]

Early life and education

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Ade Olufeko [a] was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and spent his formative years in Lagos, Nigeria, living in Surulere during the country’s Second Republic. He attended Unilag Staff School for primary education and St. Gregory's College in Obalende for secondary school.[4]

In the mid-1990s, he returned to Minneapolis, where he studied at Camden and delivered guest lectures to his International Baccalaureate peers on cultural perspectives in English literature. He later lived in Stevens Square, a National Historic District, before enrolling at Metropolitan State University in Saint Paul. There, he studied computer science with a focus on multimedia technologies, as part of a broader journey that laid the foundation for his interdisciplinary work in technology and culture.[5][6][7]

Career

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Dot-com and foundations

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Olufeko began his career in 1997 with a law internship at Hinshaw & Culbertson, where he assisted in digital integration for legal archiving. During the dot-com era, he transitioned into technology, working in interactive design, internet technologies, and hardware at companies such as Ameritech, Imation, and IBM.[5]

While living in Minneapolis, he collaborated with musicians in New York City, including Amel Larrieux, using Web driven design and digital strategies to expand their audience reach. He later relocated to New York City, joining Warner Music Group, where he contributed to its digital properties.[8]

Between 2004 and 2007, Olufeko worked in quality assurance at Shavlik Technologies and Adobe Systems, focusing on software testing and product stability. In 2007, he founded Visual Collaborative, a platform that showcased over 150 artists over a decade.[9] He returned to IBM in 2016 as a management consultant, working on technology-driven initiatives.[10]

Work in Nigeria

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After relocating to Lagos, Nigeria, Olufeko focused on initiatives in the creative and technology sectors. Prior to settling in Lagos, he had undertaken consulting projects in Lagos and Abuja. He later served as a management consultant for The Avenue Projects.[5]

From 2021 to 2023, he served as the first chairman of the Creative and Entertainment Group within the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), where he advocated for policies supporting SMEs and creative enterprises, particularly in intellectual property.[11]

Discourse and impact

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Olufeko has been active in technology, creative sector initiatives, and public discourse. He has delivered talks at institutions such as the University of Oxford, Yale University, and Harvard Business School, contributing to discussions on innovation, digital transformation, and Africa’s economy.[12]

He has served as a special guest moderator at London Business School and Columbia University, facilitating discussions on technology, creativity, and global economic trends. Additionally, he has spoken at Ivy League and leading institutions, including Georgetown University, Carnegie Mellon University, and the Lagos Business School, sharing insights on interdisciplinary approaches to innovation and development.[13]

Humanities

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Olufeko’s engagement in the humanities spans multiple disciplines, including art, philosophy, and literature, with a focus on cultural preservation and interdisciplinary dialogue.[2]

Art

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Wax print styled AYO Mancala, designed by Ade Olufeko

Self-taught as a digital painter and in mixed-media artistry, Olufeko's creative process as an avocation evolved over a decade. His exhibited work explores Africanfuturism, experimental Chaos theory and Counterculture.[14]

In 2021, he introduced a wax print version of the indigenous Ayo mancala in Ankara fabric, initially producing 200 units for the consumer market. Following positive reception in local media, he expanded the product line with Kente and Adire versions, gaining traction across West Africa and its diaspora.[15] According to audited data, sales of locally made units exceeded 5,000.[16] During a period of capital flight in Nigeria and a fire outbreak in one of the largest woodcraft communities, part of these proceeds supported artisans and their families.[17][18]

His artwork Remember To Rise, a collaboration with London Business School, and Iyasile Naa, a project with Oxford University, reflect his integration of technology and cultural narratives into visual storytelling.[19][20]

Martial Arts

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Main article: Wing Chun Foundation Lagos

Olufeko established the Wing Chun Foundation Lagos, contributing to the study and practice of traditional martial arts in West Africa. His approach emphasizes the philosophical principles of movement, discipline, and mindfulness, aligning with broader cultural and historical frameworks.[21]

Literary works

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As part of the North Star Electronic Catalogue for Visual Collaborative, Olufeko authored Voyager (Vol. 2),[22] Vivencias (Vol. 3),[23] and Supernova (Vol. 4) in 2019,[24] followed by TwentyEightyFour (Vol. 5) in 2020.[25] During the same period, he wrote The Enterprising Young African: Avoiding Pitfalls in Technology and Business (2019), which examines challenges in Africa’s evolving digital and business landscape.

In 2020, Olufeko engaged in a dialogue with Robert Greene, author of The 48 Laws of Power, discussing themes of power, human nature, and strategic thinking in the digital age. Excerpts from their conversation, published in ThisDayLive, explored how historical insights shape modern leadership and adaptability. His contributions reflected a multidisciplinary perspective, drawing from technology, design, and culture to examine influence and decision-making in an interconnected world.[26]

Notes

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  1. ^ Simply known as Adé, Pronounced /ɑːˈdeɪ/; ah-DAY Yoruba: Adé Olúfẹ́kọ́ pronounced [a.dé o.lú.fɛ́.kɔ́].

References

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  1. ^ Fatunmise, Damilola (6 January 2025). "Ade Abayomi Olufeko: Technology polymath, contributions to Nigeria's digital and creative sectors". The Sun (Nigeria). Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  2. ^ a b Abisola, Shojobi (22 January 2025). "Humanities Navigated By An Innovative Outlier". Independent Nigeria. Retrieved 5 February 2025.
  3. ^ "Sungbo's Eredo Monument Back to Awareness". thisdaylive.com. This Day. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  4. ^ "Ade Olufeko/Visual Colabo Q&A". November 11, 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-06-02. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  5. ^ a b c T, Yetunde (March 2012). "Behind the Technology: Super Cool Nerd!". Made Magazine. Vol. 20. Lagos.
  6. ^ "13 Notable alumni of Metropolitan State University". edurank.org. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  7. ^ Lawore, Mutiat (4 February 2025). "Olufeko Champions Intellectual Property, Cultural Identity For Nigeria's Creative Sector". New Telegraph. Retrieved 5 February 2025.
  8. ^ Ibiwoye, Dotun. "The future is considerably female— Ade Olufeko". Vanguard News. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  9. ^ Kristy Samone (September 28, 2012). "Pop Up Art Exhibition". Archived from the original on 2018-02-15. Retrieved Feb 15, 2018.
  10. ^ "LBS Africa Business Conference ABC Rolls Out Africa We See Campaign". YNaija. January 27, 2016. Retrieved Oct 15, 2017.
  11. ^ "Ade Olufeko exits position as LCCI's chairman, creative and entertainment group". The Guardian (Nigeria). 17 June 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  12. ^ "Ade Abayomi Olufeko: A Mid-career Retrospective of a Multidisciplinary Technologist with Africa's 2020s in view". May 28, 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-05-28. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
  13. ^ Solanke, Adesoji. "Students and Admissions Blog". London Business School. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  14. ^ "Abayomi Olufeko" (PDF). NewWebPick. No. 37. Newwebpick ‘Design for Designers’. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  15. ^ Guardian Nigeria (4 January 2022). "Recalcitrant conformist succeeds with AYO Mancala to remove analytical biases in strategy". The Guardian (Nigeria). Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  16. ^ "Impact of Adeolu Khafre, a Nigerian brand inspired by heritage monuments". Guardian Nigeria. 9 January 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  17. ^ "The Velocity of business innovation through design". Vanguard (Nigeria). 11 August 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  18. ^ "Seasoned Technologist Tweaked Physical Ayo Mancala That Fed Artisan Families". Leadership News Nigeria. 3 January 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  19. ^ Agbana, Rotimi (13 November 2018). "Seun Kuti, Ozwald Boateng, others endorse Ade Olufeko's groundbreaking digital painting". Retrieved 20 March 2025.
  20. ^ "Iyasile Naa, A futuristic work in the critical mass third world creative sector". No. Arts. 18 January 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
  21. ^ Ihesiulo, Grace (5 January 2025). "Wing Chun and wellbeing: A Lagos experiment". Retrieved 20 March 2025.
  22. ^ Bankole, Idowu (17 June 2019). "Seun Kuti, Chris Uwaje, others to feature on American platform, 'Visual Collaborative". Retrieved 6 July 2019.
  23. ^ Agbana, Rotimi (19 August 2019). "Dakore Egbuson-Akande, Swaady Martin, others catalogued in Olufeko's Vicencias". Vanguard (Nigeria). Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  24. ^ Onyekwelu, Stephen (4 December 2019). "LIFE & ARTS Nse Ikpe-Etim, William Coupon, others drive creative sector SDG". Business Day. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  25. ^ Onyekwelu, Stephen (6 May 2020). "Les Nubians, Rika, Chigul, Dakore feature in TwentyEightyFour". Business Day (Nigeria). Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  26. ^ "Robert Greene author of the 48 laws of power speaks with futurist Ade Olufeko". The Guardian (Nigeria). 28 December 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
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