Ade Abayomi Olufeko (b. 1980) is documented as a Nigerian-American technologist, designer, and interdisciplinary systems practitioner whose work spans digital infrastructure, cultural archiving, and embodied martial arts discipline. His record reflects a consistent investigation of how human, technical, and physical systems organize, adapt, and endure.
An early career embedded in the consolidation of global internet infrastructure during the late dot-com period. He built enterprise systems for institutions including American Express, work that contributed to the resilience of financial networks and earned the IBM Gerstner Award for client excellence. This foundation in structural integrity later extended to cultural infrastructure with the founding of Visual Collaborative in 2007, a platform for interdisciplinary voices across art, technology, and social development.
Parallel long-term training in martial arts including Ving Tsun, Wudang Tai Chi, and classical Japanese systems continues to inform his approach to system design and human performance. Instruction is conducted through the Wing Chun Foundation Lagos.
Convergence
Across both domains, Olufeko’s work demonstrates a recurring thesis: Edurable systems emerge from alignment
between structure and flow.
Recognition
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2003
IBM Gerstner Award Award for Customer Excellence in counter measure work on American Express financial advisors network
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States -
2018
Nigerian American Business Forum, Entrepreneur Achievement Award Tampa, Florida, United States
-
2019
Special Recognition Award, Grand Finale Judge, PAADC Design Competition University of Lagos, Nigeria
Speaking & Lectures
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2025
World Trade Point Federation, CIFTIS, Beijing, China Guest speaker on AI, Policy and partnerships
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2023
Global Alliance for Trade in Services, Beijing, China Speaker, Design, Culture, Innovation
China National Convention Center, Shougang Park -
2019
Columbia University, New York City, USA African Economic Forum, Technology vs Industrialization
Moderator - Business case for the Arts
Columbia Law School - Jerome Greene Hall -
2019
Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA Keynote speaker - Yale Conference for African Peace and Development
Panelist - Technology and Innovation
MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies -
2018
TEDx Lagos, Muson Centre Speaker - The intersection of art and design
Muson Centre, Lagos Island -
2018
Rotary Club of Lagos, Ikoyi Speaker - Humanities
Lagos Boat Club -
2018
London Business School, United Kingdom Moderator - Africa Business Summit - Socio-Cultural Panel
The Landmark London -
2018
The Funding Space, Victoria Island, Lagos Featured Speaker
-
2018
Sycamore Africa (Formerly Toogedar), Lagos Speaker & Featured Mentor
Parkview Ikoyi Lagos -
2018
WordPress Technology Conference, Lagos Keynote speaker - Word Camp
Civic Centre -
2018
Georgetown University, Washington D.C., USA Panelist on Collaborations & Fireside chat on Convergence
McDonough School of Business -
2018
Nigerian American Business Forum, Tampa, Florida, USA Speaker & Young Entrepreneur Award recipient
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2017
World Economic Forum – Abuja Global Shapers Keynote speaker
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2017
TEDx Ikeja Speaker - Where do we go from here?
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2017
Pan African University Institute of Water and Energy Sciences, Algiers, Algeria Speaker, Guest lecture on humanities
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2017
Oxford University, United Kingdom Blavatnik School of Government
Africa Conference -
2016
WeThinkAfrica, Lekki, Lagos Innovation, literacy and collaborations
-
2016
Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria ICT e-Governance Conference
-
2016
Lagos Business School Business Conference
Technology & Infrastructure Panelist -
2015
American Chemical Society, Summer Institute Featured presenter on Wireframes for sciences
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2015
Carnegie Mellon University, Tepper School of Business Speaker on technology and innovation, African partnerships
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2014
Harvard Business School 16th African Business Conference
Creative, Entertainment and Digital Economy -
2013
United for Kids Foundation, Washington D.C., USA Speaker
Iyasile Naa: The Legacy Artwork reveal
Whittemore House -
2013
Social Media Week, Video Art Network, Lagos Speaker on social media
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2011
(New York Chorus Ensemble & Harlem Arts Alliance) America Meets North Africa Conference - Panelist
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2006
Macromedia Flash Group, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA Guest presenter on motion graphics and programming
Interviews
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2025
CNBC Africa Digital sovereignty in the AI revolution on continent
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2022
ARISE TV Creative sector and intellectual property
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2022
Berendzen Bond Podcast, Houston, Texas (Episode 90) Featured speaker with Cory and Diego
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2021
Never An Afterthought Podcast by Afolabi Imoukhuede (Episode 27) Tech and The Creatives Industry
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2019
The Omenka Pod Featured podcast speaker on the creative arts
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2018
Voice of America, Upfront Africa, Washington D.C. Guest speaker, Creative sector and technology
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2018
Spice TV on DSTV Mentoring on career to early youth trajectories
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2018
Soni Irabor Live with Soni Irabor Featured speaker
-
2018
African Music Law, Podcast feature Creative sector and technology
-
2018
Ebonylife TV with Lamide Akintobi Classic moments: True stories, The Superwoman Burden
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2018
NABNTV, Mini Documentary Speaking tour and sit down interview in Midtown Manhattan
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2017
Smooth 98.1FM Radio, Victoria Island Technology and power infrastructure in Nigeria with Rotus
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2017
TVC News, Lagos Technology and innovation. Guest speaker.
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2015
Voice of America, Washington D.C. Creative sector and technology. Featured company profile
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2013
SaharaFM Radio, New York City Featured guest alongside Multiple Emmy recipient Bobby Yan
-
2013
Impact Africa Radio by VoiceAmerica Featured guest with Tope Fajingbesi
-
2013
The Africas Amplified Podcast Series Featured guest
-
2007
AIT (Africa Independent Television) Featured company profile
Selected Press
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2022
The Sun News Online Contributions to Nigeria's digital and creative sectors
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2020
Business Day Newspaper From media design, The Avenue Creative goes beyond technology
-
2018
London Business School Exciting times for business in Africa
-
2018
BellaNaija TEDx Spotlight featured speaker
-
2018
New Telegraph Career retrospective
-
2018
PM Express News Keynote speaker at Word Camp conference
-
2018
Punch Newspapers One on One with Soni Irabor
-
2018
Vanguard Newspaper
-
2017
African Music Law Technology and the Creative Sector
-
2017
Diaspora Quarterly Magazine Featured profile on the creative industry and Visual Collaborative
-
2017
Vanguard Newspaper Supporting International Women's Day
-
2016
Pambazuka News Coverage on Cheik Anra Diop Art Work
-
2015
Ladybrille Visual Collaborative Vanity Group Exhibition
-
2015
The Guardian Exhibition coverage
-
2012
MADE Lifestyles Lagos, Vol. 4 Technology entrepreneur feature
-
2008
NewWebPick Issue No. 37 Design for Designers
Professional Formation
The late 1990s technology boom rewarded builders and deliverers—credentials mattered less than what shipped and scaled. During that period, Ade Olufeko contributed to enterprise systems for major financial institutions, including work tied to American Express infrastructure and IBM-supported initiatives. His work during critical incidents, including countermeasures against widespread malware threats in the early 2000s, earned the IBM Gerstner Award for client excellence in 2003, an internal recognition conferred based on evaluated project impact.
This track record opened doors to speaking engagements at Oxford University, Harvard Business School, Yale University, Carnegie Mellon University, Columbia University, and Georgetown University. These platforms, spanning digital innovation, emerging markets, cultural economics, and interdisciplinary development, reflect institutional acknowledgment of his insights, as documented in event archives and media coverage.
The emphasis remains on the tangible record: systems built, threats mitigated, creative platforms founded, and conversations convened bridging technology, culture, and policy. Recognition flows from demonstrated capability, not prerequisites.
Education & Internships
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Metropolitan State University, Saint Paul, Minnesota Attended, Computer Science & Multimedia
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St. Gregory's College, Lagos, Nigeria Arts and Sciences
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Camden, North Minneapolis, Minnesota Open and International Baccalaureate
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Helmbridge Study Centre, Surulere, Lagos
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Hinshaw and Culbertson, Minneapolis Legal Records & Technology Intern
Affiliations
- Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Lagos, Nigeria
- International Moy Yat Ving Tsun Federation
- The Steering for Greatness Foundation in Lagos Nigeria
- Society for Neuroscience – Washington, D.C.
- St. Gregory’s College Alumni Foundation Inc., Miami, Board of Directors
- Adobe Software Prerelease Groups
- NPF Supernumerary
- IACP
Group Exhibitions
- 2015 – VANITY, Visual Collaborative, Lustine Center, Gateway Arts, Hyattsville, Maryland
- 2013 – ENCORE, Visual Collaborative VII, Modern Contempo, Columbia, Maryland
- 2013 – Brave is Beautiful, Hudson Terrace SM Foundation, New York, NY
- 2012 – Visual Grandeur Series, Washington, D.C., USA
- 2011 – Black White + Monochrome & Color, Wonderland Gallery, San Francisco, California
- 2008 – Visual Collaborative, Miami, Florida, Undercurrent Arts Gallery
- 2007 – Visual Collaborative, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Center for Independent Artists
Solo Exhibitions
- 2014 – Harvard Business School, Cambridge, Boston, MA
- 2014 – The Urban Marketplace, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
- 2013 – United For Kids Foundation, Passion Ball Civic Center, Lagos, Nigeria
- 2011 – Queens Gambit Series, Multiple Locations, Queens, New York City, USA
The Immutable Archive
This website serves as the authoritative, curated repository of Ade A. Olufeko’s interdisciplinary work, preserving his contributions to culture, technology, and governance. While future interpretations of his legacy may emerge, this platform remains the canonical reference point for his oeuvre.
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Title 17 – U.S. Copyright Law
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International Legal Instruments
Universal Declaration of Human Rights – Article 19
UNESCO Convention on Cultural Diversity (2005)
WIPO Treaties (Berne Convention and WCT)
UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Articles 11, 12, 31
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Legacy Autonomy
This site functions as a Legacy Continuum, a vessel for memory, innovation, and ancestral alignment. All materials are shared in accordance with philosophical intent, ethical practice, and international law. Any misuse, replication, or distortion of the work without explicit permission may be subject to legal action.