Nigerian Businesswoman Named 2014 Jennifer Potter Emerging Leaders Fellow

Nigerian female entrepreneur and young leader, Adeshola Komolafe, was Saturday, in the United States of America, named the 2014 Jennifer Potter Emerging Leaders Fellow, by the Initiative for Global Development (IGD).

In a statement in Seattle, Dr. Mima S. Nedelcovych, IGD President and CEO, said, “Ms. Komolafe exemplifies the qualities of an Emerging Leaders Fellow” adding that “She has demonstrated a commitment to building a democratic, transparent, and modern market economy and fostering a society of inclusion and progress in Africa.”

Ms. Adeshola Komolafe is the CEO of Media Insight, a Nigerian integrated marketing communications firm, based in Abuja, and Save Our Future, a non-governmental organization that focuses on introducing young people in less privileged educational environments to information and communications technology (ICT) and the use of technology for enhancing the entrepreneurial skills of young women.

She studied political science at the Bayero University Kano, where she also obtained her masters degree in public administration. Ms. Komolafe  also holds a certificate in media studies from the Pan Atlantic University in Lagos.

The Jennifer Potter Emerging Leaders Fellow is named in honor of IGD’s Founding President and CEO, Jennifer Potter, and it supports the rise of African leaders by giving Fellows access to an influential network of senior executives from top tier companies who invest strategically in high-need, high-potential areas of Africa.

The ultimate goal, IGD said in its Saturday statement, “is poverty reduction through business investment in the developing world, a cornerstone of IGD’s original mission.”

“Adeshola maintains a strong commitment to promoting women’s entrepreneurship and women’s leadership in Africa,” said Jennifer Potter, the founding CEO of IGD. “Through IGD’s influential network of business leaders, we hope to support her continued success and advance her capacity and determination to make a difference.”

“I consider it a great privilege to be nominated as the current Emerging Leaders Fellow. I am humbled to be part of this inspirational network of business leaders in Africa,” said Komolafe.

As a media expert, Komolafe has worked with governments, international organizations, and development agencies, working to enhance the Nigerian business environment, transform health, and map conflict in the country. Additionally, her continued commitment to empowering the rising generation in Africa demonstrates her leadership and capacity to catalyze change. Komolafe has been one of the young leaders in the International Youth Conference, a nominee for the Future Awards, a member of the World Bank Youth Forum, and a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers.

The Initiative for Global Development (IGD) is a 501(c)(3) organization that drives significant poverty reduction by catalyzing business growth and investment in the developing world. IGD brings together an influential Frontier Leader network of CEOs and senior executives with the interest and capacity to make strategic investments in high-need, high-potential regions of Africa.