Afropreneur Idris Bello returns to OAU, inspires new generation with visionary lecture on Africa’s innovation future

The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)’s community witnessed a powerful blend of nostalgia, intellect, and inspiration on November 19, as acclaimed venture capitalist and Afropreneur, Idris Ayodeji Bello, returned to his alma mater to deliver the 2025 biennial Faculty of Technology lecture.

The event, themed: ‘Innovation Without Borders: From Great Ife to the Global Stage-Rethinking African Tech, Talent, and Collaboration in the AI Age,’ drew an impressive audience of academics, industry leaders, students, and distinguished alumni. Bello’s homecoming over 20 years after graduating with First Class Honours in Computer Engineering, was described by many as both symbolic and transformative.

From the moment he stepped into ACE-OAK Park Conference Hall, it was evident that Bello’s return carried a special emotional weight. His family’s ties to OAU span more than five decades, beginning with his late father, Alhaji R. Ola Bello, who graduated from the University of Ife in 1971. Bello noted that standing at the same podium where he once sat as a young undergraduate was “a fulfillment of a generational prayer.”

In his welcome address, the vice chancellor, Professor A.S. Bamire, highlighted the remarkable influence Great Ife alumni continue to wield globally. He cited success stories such as Moniepoint, Seamless HR, Nomba, Jobberman, and others as proof that the university remains a cradle of innovation and leadership.

In his lecture, Bello traced his journey from Awolowo Hall to becoming a global venture leader backing startups across Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya, and the diaspora.

He reflected on the days of OAUNET email addresses, early computer laboratories and the “intellectual Wi-Fi” formed by students who shared books, solved problems together and dreamed of a bigger world.

“We may not have had the most modern facilities, but we had imagination, hunger, and a deep sense of community. Great Ife taught us to innovate even in scarcity,” he said.

He credited OAU for shaping his worldview, discipline, and commitment to community service-ethos that would later define his work at Wennovation Hub, Afropreneur Angels, and LoftyInc Capital, now known for early investments in unicorns like Andela, Flutterwave, Moove, and Wave.

Bello’s central message focused on how Africa can position itself competitively in the AI era, through the three critical pillars for Africa’s innovation leap, listed as:

1.Technology Creation, Not Consumption

He called on African institutions to prioritize the creation of homegrown technologies that address uniquely African problems—from agriculture and healthcare to identity and logistics.

2. Talent as Africa’s Strongest Currency

Drawing on examples like Andela and other African digital workforce platforms, Bello emphasised that global demand for African talent will rise dramatically if universities embrace modern learning models and interdisciplinary education.

3. Collaboration without Borders

He urged deeper collaboration between universities, industry, and government, arguing that “innovation is born at the intersection of diverse minds, disciplines, and geographies.”

In a memorable moment, Bello used the metaphor of Amala-Ewedu-Gbegiri to describe the ideal blend of local identity, global competence, and ethical grounding in innovation. “When you combine all three in the right proportion, you create something powerful, authentic, and unforgettable,” he said.

The Dean of the Faculty of Technology, Professor L.E. Umoru, described the lecture as “a clarion call to rethink how we teach, research, and innovate.”

He urged students to embrace curiosity and collaboration, reminding them that the next global startup could emerge from Great Ife.

Bello was later honoured with an award of excellence for his significant contributions to Africa’s technology ecosystem and his unwavering support for emerging founders.

The full lecture can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceRNFPayMOY