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Ade Olufeko lecture in Silver Spring Mobile Studio

Silver Spring, Maryland, United States — circa 2014

Ade Abayomi Olufeko is an interdisciplinary technologist and strategist who emerged during the dot-com era in the United States, refining his practice in New York City before extending his influence across Lagos and West Africa.

A Builder of Foundations

Some work seeks attention; the most important work often happens quietly. Olufeko’s career follows this principle. He began by helping build the digital age from its roots, developing broadband systems at Ameritech and defending networks at IBM. This set the tone for a life devoted to creating structures others rely on. At Warner Music, he guided a legacy institution into the digital future while independently founding Visual Collaborative, a calm space for artists and technologists to create meaningful work away from noise. This dual path, navigating large systems while protecting creative freedom, defines his approach. Later, his focus turned to access and empowerment, from early mobile banking tools at PayPal to advising innovators on human-centered design. Each effort deepened his belief in building leverage and independence through technology. His work now centers on structure itself, consulting on intellectual property frameworks that safeguard creativity and founding a martial arts foundation to cultivate mental discipline. He continues to build ecosystems that nurture both innovation and human potential.

Recognition

2003 – IBM Gerstner Award, United States

2018 – NABF Youth Entrepreneur Achievement Award

2019 – Special recognition Award Grand Finale Judge, University of Lagos PAADC design competition

Speaking Engagements and Lectures

2023 Speaker, Global Alliance for Trade in Services – Beijing, China

2019 Columbia University New York City – Guest Moderator, A business case for Arts and Literature

2019 Yale University – Keynote speaker and Panelist, Innovation, and Development

2018 TEDx Lagos, Muson Centre – Spotlight Speaker

2018 Rotary Club of Lagos, Ikoyi – Featured Speaker

2018 London Business School, United Kingdom – Socio-Cultural Panel – Featured Moderator

2018 The Funding Space, Victoria Island – Featured Technologist

2018 Sycamore Africa (Formerly Toogedar) – Featured Mentor

2018 WordPress Technology Conference Lagos – Keynote Speaker

2018 Georgetown University, Washington D.C. – Panelist & Lighting Round Speaker

2018 NABF (Nigerian American Business Forum) – Tampa Florida – Speaker

2017 World Economic Forum – Abuja Global Shapers – Keynote Speaker

2017 TEDxIkeja – Featured Speaker

2017 Pan African University Institute of Water and Energy Sciences – Algiers Algeria – Speaker

2017 Oxford University – United Kingdom, OAC – Speaker

2016 WeThinkAfrica – Lekki Lagos, Welcome & Commencement – Featured Speaker

2016 Covenant University Ota, ICT e-Governance Conference – Featured Speaker

2016 Lagos Business School, Business Conference, Technology & Infrastructure Panel

2015 American Chemical Society, Summer Institute – Presenter

2015 Carnegie Mellon University — Tepper School of Business

2014 Harvard Business School, 16th African Business Conference

2013 United for Kids Foundation Washington D.C. – Speaker

2013 Social Media Week, Video Art Network – Lagos

2011 America Meets North Africa Conference (New York Chorus Ensemble & Harlem Arts Alliance)

2006 Macromedia Flash Group – Saint Paul Minnesota — Interactive Design Demo

1996 International Baccalaureate English — Featured Speaker, A collaboration with Eric Schneider

Interviews

2025 – CNBC Africa – Featured Guest & Interview

2022 – ARISE TV – Featured Guest & Interview

2022 – Berendzen Bond Podcast – Episode 90, Interview in Houston Texas.

2021 – Never An Afterthought Podcast by Afolabi Imoukhuede – Episode 27, Technology and Creatives Industry

2019 – The Omenka Pod – Merging Art and Science, Interview

2018 – Voice Of America, Upfront Africa – Washington DC – Featured Guest & Interview

2018 – Spice TV on DSTV – Interview

2018 – Soni Irabor Live – Featured Guest & Interview

2018 – African Music Law – Podcast feature

2018 – Ebonylife TV – Featured Guest

2018 – NABNTV – Mini Documentary & Featured

2017 – Smooth 98.1FM Radio Victoria Island – Featured Technologist

2017 – TVC News – TV Interview – Featured Technologist

2015 – Voice Of America – Washington DC – Featured Guest & Interview

2013 – SaharaFM Radio – New York City — Featured Guest alongside Emmy Award Winner Bobby Yan

2013 – Impact Africa Radio by VoiceAmerica — Guest

2013 – The Africas Amplified Podcast Series — Featured Technologist

2007 – AIT (Africa Independent Television) – Production Feature

Selected Press & Features

2022 – The Sun News Online – Article

2020 – Business Day News Paper – Featured

2018 – London Business School – Article

2018 – BellaNaija – Article

2018 – New Telegraph – Career Retrospective

2018 – PM Express News – Feature

2018 – Punch Newspapers – Article

2018 – Vanguard News Paper – Article

2017 – African Music Law – Feature

2017 – Diaspora Quarterly Magazine – Article

2017 – Vanguard News Paper – Article

2016 – Pambazuka News – Work Featured

2015 – Ladybrille – Production Feature

2015 – The Guardian – Production Feature

2012 – MADE Lifestyles Lagos Vol 4 – Technologist Interview

2008 – NewWebPick Issue No. 37 – Work Featured

Education, Academia & Internships

Metropolitan State University, Saint Paul – Computer Science & Multimedia

St. Gregory’s College, Lagos

Camden Minneapolis

Helmbridge Study Centre, Surulere

Hinshaw and Culbertson Minneapolis
(Law + Technology Intern 1997)

Affiliations, Past or Present

Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Lagos Nigeria

Society for Neuroscience – Washington, D.C

2009 St. Gregory’s College Alumni Foundation Inc -Miami, Board of Directors

2006 – Adobe Software Prerelease Groups

Curated Group Exhibitions

2015 VANITY, Visual Collaborative Lustine Center, gateway arts Hyattsville, MD

2013 ENCORE, Visual Collaborative VII Modern Contempo, Columbia, MD

2013 Brave is Beautiful, Hudson Terrace SM Foundation, New York, NY

2012 Visual Grandeur Series Washington DC

2011 Black White + Monochrome & Color, Wonderland Gallery, San Francisco California

2008 Visual Collaborative Miami FL, Undercurrent Arts Gallery

2007 Visual Collaborative Minneapolis MN, Center for Independent Artists

Solo Exhibitions

2014 – Harvard Business School, Cambridge, Boston Massachusetts

2011 – Queens Gambit Series, (Multiple Locations) Queens New York City, USA

2014 – The Urban Marketplace, University of Maryland College Park, USA

2013 – United For Kids Foundation – Passion Ball Civic Center Lagos, Nigeria

The Definitive 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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Intellectual Property Notice

All content, including but not limited to images, audiovisual works, and associated blockchain assets (NFTs), is protected under international copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or derivative works—including AI-generated simulations, deepfakes, voice cloning, or other synthetic media—without express written consent from Ade Abayomi Olufeko or his authorized representatives is strictly prohibited. In alignment with the 2025 TAKE IT DOWN Act (U.S. Federal Law), the non-consensual publication or distribution of manipulated media portraying the likeness or voice of Mr. Olufeko constitutes a criminal offense and may trigger legal enforcement at the federal level. All rights reserved globally.

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Blockchain Attribution

Digital collectibles tied to this archive derive their authenticity from on-chain verification. Cross-reference token metadata with this repository for validation.

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Disclaimer & Legal Ethos

This platform exists at the intersection of law, legacy, and liberated creativity. All content—visual, written, sonic, and immersive—is protected under domestic and international legal frameworks that affirm the right to self-expression, cultural preservation, and intellectual sovereignty.

United States Legal Protections

First Amendment (U.S. Constitution): Protects freedom of speech, religion, and artistic expression.

Fourth Amendment: Ensures privacy of digital and creative archives.

Fifth & Fourteenth Amendments: Provide due process and equal protection under the law.

Ninth Amendment: Acknowledges rights beyond those explicitly listed, including digital identity, ancestral memory, and creative freedom.

Statutory Foundations

42 U.S. Code §§ 1981 & 1983

Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA)

Title 17 – U.S. Copyright Law

Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)

International Legal Instruments

Universal Declaration of Human Rights – Article 19: Guarantees freedom of expression and access to information globally.

UNESCO Convention on Cultural Diversity (2005): Recognizes the value of cultural ecosystems and supports their protection.

WIPO Treaties (Berne Convention and WCT): Provide worldwide copyright protection for original creative works.

UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Articles 11, 12, and 31: Protect the right to preserve and control indigenous heritage, traditions, and spirituality.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): Ensures ethical data usage and the right to digital privacy for all users interacting with this platform.

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Cultural Sovereignty

This site functions as a Legacy Continuum, a vessel for memory, innovation, and ancestral alignment. All materials are shared in accordance with spiritual intent, ethical practice, and international law. Any misuse, replication, or distortion of the work without explicit permission may be subject to legal action and spiritual consequence.