FutureMap Foundation Appoints Strong Advisory Board to Power Africa’s 2063 Sustainable Development Agenda
May 8, 2025
In a defining move to scale its mission of building Africa-led innovation ecosystems, the FutureMap Foundation has appointed some of Nigeria’s most accomplished leaders in the tech and developmental sector to its newly constituted Advisory Board. This high-level council will provide visionary guidance across digital transformation, public policy, development strategy, and grassroots innovation.
The appointments mark a major milestone in FutureMap’s evolution as a mission-driven force delivering policy roundtable, training tech talent, building platforms, promoting digital inclusion, and participatory workshops. Through our programs, we empower young innovators to co-create solutions to pressing challenges in education, health, climate, and economic development.
The Advisory Council: Leaders Steering the Future
Dr. Mairo Mandara
Global Development Strategist & Policy Advisor
Dr. Mandara, a former Country Director of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and one of Nigeria’s most respected public health and gender equity advocates, brings decades of experience in international development. Currently serving as Special Adviser on Sustainable Development to the Borno State Governor, she will strengthen FutureMap’s community health, women-led innovation, and inclusive development strategy.
Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE
Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)
As head of NITDA and one of the architects of Nigeria’s National Digital Economy Policy, Mr. Inuwa brings unmatched technical expertise and institutional insight. His involvement aligns FutureMap’s work with federal policy on AI, cybersecurity, digital inclusion, and tech infrastructure.
Dr. Odiong Akpan
Innovation Consultant & Founder, Ubulu Africa
A leading voice in enterprise innovation and ecosystem building, Dr. Akpan is the Founder of Ubulu Africa and a Senior Fellow at Lagos Business School. His expertise in startup acceleration and investment readiness will be instrumental in FutureMap’s venture development work.
Hajiya Rakiya Shuaibu Mohammed
Former Director of IT, Central Bank of Nigeria
With over 25 years of IT leadership including the groundbreaking rollout of Africa’s first Central Bank Digital Currency (eNaira) Hajiya Rakiya brings a sharp lens on financial innovation, cybersecurity, and digital policy governance. Her experience will guide FutureMap’s fintech incubation and regulatory navigation.
How This Council Strengthens FutureMap’s Mission
This council enhances FutureMap’s strategic capacity to scale its flagship initiatives, including:
- Future Innovation Hub – A ₦1 Billion digital innovation hub projected to train 100,000 youth and create 250,000 jobs across AI, Robotics, AgriTech, and more.
- FutureSafe Flood Control System– A tech-enabled resilience program integrating Dutch Dykes, IoT sensors, and water harvesting to reduce disaster risks and boost agricultural productivity.
- Design Thinking through Workshop of the Future Series –This is to foster a new generation of innovators, policymakers, and entrepreneurs through human-centered design.
- FutureMap Roundtable – To facilitate a policy dialogue among stakeholders, exploring strategies to empower sub-national governments and communities in harnessing digital technologies for economic growth and social development.
- Global Tech Africa Conference – is a gathering of Africa’s boldest minds, risk-takers, and problem-solvers determined to redefine the continent’s digital trajectory. This is where solutions meet execution. Where innovators find their tribe.
- Future Tech Fellowship (FTF) – This high-impact program is designed to empower young professionals aged 18–30, especially women and individuals from underserved communities, by providing intensive hands-on training in Product Design, Software Development, and Data Science, followed by internship placement, and alumni support.
Each council member contributes deep sectoral expertise to help FutureMap meet the region’s most urgent development needs with scalable, data-driven, and human-centered solutions.
A Call to Action: Join the Journey
As FutureMap expands its footprint across Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa, the Foundation invites development partners, corporates, donors, and government stakeholders to join its mission of transforming Africa from within.
Sources
Vanguard – FutureMap appoints directors to drive youth empowerment, digital innovation in Africa
