About

OUR FELLOWS

DR. MARCUS ORJI (PhD)

Dr. Marcus Garvey Orji (PhD) is a Business Administration and Entrepreneurship specialist with diverse expertise in teaching and research in the areas of small business and private sector development, public policy, and a passion for sustainable development. He is currently a Senior Lecturer at Philomath University, Abuja, Nigeria. A former head of the Entrepreneurial studies department/ Deputy Dean of faculty in Veritas University Abuja, He has a solid education foundation with a Doctorate in Business Administration from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, and is currently pursuing another doctorate in sustainable development with the University of Abuja, Nigeria

CHRISTIANA ONABOLA

An epidemiologist, health equity researcher, and policy analyst focused on the intersection of AI ethics, algorithmic bias, and healthcare systems. Her doctoral research examined how environmental and social factors shape health outcomes in rural and remote communities. She is particularly interested in how algorithmic bias in healthcare delivery and electronic health records can influence health equity. Through the TechForward Impact AI Policy Fellowship, Christiana is expanding her work in AI ethics and policy, bringing expertise in health research, equity frameworks, and policy translation to support inclusive and equitable AI governance.

SALOME IBUKUN HOSEA

A results-driven professional with a background in Business Administration and a strong passion for technology-driven innovation. She is completing her MSc in Management of Information Technology, with research focused on how AI-powered automation can enhance efficiency and accountability in student admissions and records management in Nigerian universities. With experience in academic administration and project coordination, Salome excels at connecting people, data, and technology. She is committed to responsible AI, inclusion, and developing ethical, innovative solutions that drive positive impact across sectors while promoting efficiency and transparency in organizational processes.

RACHEL OLUWATUYI

A Computer Science researcher working at the intersection of Human–Computer Interaction (HCI), Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy, and Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D). Her work explores how emerging technologies align with community needs, emphasizing inclusive research practices for equitable solutions. She is a PhD student at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, focusing on empowering individuals in underserved African communities to engage and use AI critically and responsibly. Her broader interests include AI governance, human-centered design and inclusive policy development. She brings a reflective, community-oriented approach, advocating for ethical, inclusive, and human-centered innovations.

EMMANUEL AKAOGOR

A first-class mechanical engineering graduate and technology professional passionate about responsible AI, sustainability, and inclusive digital systems. His experience spans data analytics, climate-focused solutions, digital financial inclusion, and energy system optimization. He has developed decision-support dashboards, AI-ready datasets, and community-level technology interventions that strengthen transparency and resilience across rural and urban contexts. Emmanuel integrates engineering thinking, data science, and human-centered design to support ethical and equitable technology adoption. His interests focus on AI governance, safety, and policy frameworks that protect vulnerable populations and promote accessibility, fairness, and long-term social impact across Africa.

SAMUEL NYEKO

Samuel's background is in the field of Computer Science and Health Data Science. During his graduate research he was responsible for modeling individualized treatment effects in type 2 diabetes patients, using casual machine learning to aid the application of AI in precision medicine. This gave him firsthand experience of how AI systems are shaping decision-making in critical areas. What drew him to AI governance was the challenge of designing systems that balances innovation and accountability.

He is particularly interested in the governance of AI models and the coordination needed both locally and globally to manage their risks including, how risk classification tools, model transparency obligations and red teaming can be designed in proportion to technical realities

DEBRA OKEH, MBBS,MS

A global health physician with over 10 years of experience across federal, state, and non-profit sectors. She provides technical guidance on infectious diseases, maternal and child health, health systems strengthening, and digital health initiatives. Her research focuses on using modelling and subnational data for intervention planning and time-series analysis for forecasting. She is skilled in data analytics, Programme evaluation, and policy translation. Her expertise has been showcased at Harvard’s Centre for Communicable Disease Dynamics, ASTMH 2024, Gates Foundation IDM Symposium 2024, and the 2024 MIM Pan-African Conference. She also serves on AMMnet’s Learning Committee.

IBRAHIM FOFANAH

A Sierra Leonean legal professional specializing in intellectual property, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies. He is the founder of Prext Intellectual Property, a boutique IP & Tech law firm advising local and international clients on IP protection, commercialization, and a range of technology issues. Ibrahim holds advanced degrees in Intellectual Property Law and is currently pursuing a Master’s in AI, Digital Technologies, and Intellectual Property at the University of Strasbourg. With experience across leading Sierra Leonean law firms and global training in data protection and AI governance, he combines legal expertise with innovation strategy to support Africa’s evolving tech and IP landscape.

MEET OUR MENTORS

PROF. RITA ORJI (PhD)

Named among the world’s top 2% of scientists by impact across all disciplines by Stanford University in 2021, 2022, and 2023, Prof. Rita Orji is a Canada Research Chair in Persuasive Technology and a Computer Science Professor at Dalhousie University, Canada, where she directs the Persuasive Computing Lab. Her research at the intersection of technology and human behaviour focuses on designing interactive technologies to empower people, improve lives, and contribute to solving many societal problems.

She has won millions of dollars from competitive grant funding from agencies and governments around the world to support her work.

NANCY EKE-AGU, AIGP, CAITL, RMP, PMP

Nancy Eke-Agu is a distinguished AI Governance Expert, Policy Specialist, and advocate for responsible and inclusive AI. Recognized as one of the Top 100 Black Women in Canada 2025, and with almost two decades of combined experience in technology transformation, AI Risk Management and Governance, and Policy Development, Nancy holds certifications as a Certified Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional (AIGP), Certified AI Transformation Leader (CAITL), Project Management Professional (PMP), and Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP). Her ongoing research focuses around the impact of Algorithmic Transparency on Digital Trust in AI-driven technologies

VICTOR YISA

A Cybersecurity researcher working at the intersection of human behavior, security, and privacy. His research examines how people make security and privacy decisions and how culturally grounded interventions can improve safe digital practices, particularly in non-Western contexts. He has published in this area and maintains strong interests in Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) and AI governance, advancing ethics, inclusivity, accountability, and responsible, secure AI usage.

DR. SEGUN LATINWO (PhD)

A researcher working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, persuasive computing, explainable AI, and security. His work focuses on the investigation of user-centered, data‑driven, and AI-enhanced approaches for designing and developing secure, transparent, intelligent, and interactive AI systems that support health, learning, and environmental sustainability.

DR. FIDELIA A. ORJI (PhD)

A computer scientist dedicated to harnessing technology for social good. Her research explores the powerful intersection of persuasive technology, artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, and intelligent systems design, developing innovative solutions that don't just advance the field, but transform lives. Driven by a commitment to meaningful impact, Dr. Orji bridges cutting-edge research with real-world application, creating intelligent systems that address societal challenges and empower communities.

DR. GRACE ATAGUBA (PhD)

A postdoctoral researcher with the Persuasive Computing Lab in the Faculty of Computer Science at Dalhousie University, Canada. Her research focuses on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and human-computer interaction (HCI) approaches to address real-world challenges, including health behavior change. Based on her research initiatives, she has authored and co-authored high-impact peer-reviewed publications that explore topics ranging from AI for inclusive technologies, health and wellness interventions, to persuasive systems for behavior change. In addition to her research, she has mentored over 20 students and emerging scholars in AI-driven technology design, evaluation, and paper writing.

DR. AYODEJI OLUSEGUN IBITOYE (PhD)

Dr Ayodeji Olusegun Ibitoye is a Senior Lecturer in Data Science at the University of Greenwich, specialising in Machine Learning and Responsible AI. His work centres on AI for Humanity, applying advanced data science to healthcare, business intelligence, and ethical AI governance. He develops intelligent systems that combine technical excellence with transparency, fairness, and societal impact. Through research, industry collaboration, and mentoring emerging researchers, he advances Data Science for Social Good and supports the responsible deployment of AI Technologies.

Our Mission

Our mission is to lower the barrier for the underrepresented communities and promote an inclusive generation equipped to lead in addressing emerging AI risks.

We do so by:

Building a strong, inclusive community of students and professionals focused on addressing risks associated with emerging technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence.

Acting as a catalyst, we support early and mid-career researchers by providing resources and mentorship to pursue impactful research in AI Safety, AI Governance, and AI Policy.

Through mentorship and advocacy, we aim to enable meaningful participation from underrepresented populations to foster a diverse generation of leaders who will shape the future of AI responsibly and ethically.

Growing a talent infrastructure for inclusive AI by establishing institutional connections to drive substantial progress on key AI Safety, Policy and Governance challenges.

Empowering underrepresented talents to find their voices in AI Safety, Policy and Governance

Contact Us

For general inquiries or concerns related to TechForward Impact, please reach out.

Email: engage@techforwardimpact.org

Open Hours

Mon-Fri: 9 AM – 6 PM

Saturday: 9 AM – 4 PM

Sunday: Closed

Location

Morningfield Lane, Dartmouth Canada.