This International Youth Day, we turn our spotlight to the vibrant and dynamic young Nigerians who are making waves in the digital space as this year’s theme circles around “Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development”.
This annual celebration provides an opportunity to honour the creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit that these youth bring to the forefront of technology and digital entrepreneurship.
As we recognize their contributions and achievements, we also reflect on the transformative potential they hold for the future of technology in Nigeria and beyond.
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Today, we celebrate their role in driving progress and shaping a digital era that is both inclusive and forward-thinking.
Evans Akanno is the founder of Vzy, a no-code website platform that allows users to build websites without requiring coding or design skills. He previously founded and served as CEO of Cregital, a digital agency, and co-founded Disha, a platform that enables young professionals to showcase their work without coding knowledge.
He also founded Zegist, another startup. Evans studied at Harvard University, completing a professional course in Innovation & Strategy, and holds a Master’s degree in Innovation & Entrepreneurship from the University of California, Irvine. In 2019, he was recognized in Forbes Africa’s #30Under30 list in the technology category, contributing significantly to deep tech startups and digital branding.
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Blessing Abeng holds a degree in Biochemistry from Covenant University and studied branding at Orange Academy in Lagos. Blessing co-founded Disha, a tech platform that began as a “link in bio” tool and was later acquired by Flutterwave in 2021, allowing creators and influencers to showcase their work and connect with audiences. She is also a co-founder and the Director of Communications at Ingressive for Good (I4G), a tech non-profit organization focused on addressing inequities within African tech ecosystems and uplifting youth through technology.
In 2022, Blessing received the African Achiever Award, was recognized by the United Nations as one of the most influential people of African Descent under 40, and was honoured with the Hereconomy Woman of the Year award. In 2023, she was listed in Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30, alongside other notable Africans like Tems and Ayra Starr.
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Temitope Ogunsemo, CEO of Krystal Digital Network Solutions, has made significant contributions to education through technology in Nigeria. He attended King’s College in Lagos and studied Chemistry at the University of Ibadan. Ogunsemo founded Krystal Digital to address challenges in education, providing innovative solutions to schools and bridging the digital skills gap. One of the company’s key products is the “MySkool” portal, a web-based platform that simplifies processes and makes records accessible via web and mobile applications.
Despite facing challenges in recruiting the right people who aligned with Krystal’s vision, Ogunsemo embraced diversity and successfully led a team that shared the company’s goals. His greatest achievement is the growth and impact of Krystal Digital, which originated from his frustration with obtaining academic transcripts and led to the widespread adoption of the school information management system by government-owned secondary schools across Nigeria.
