Toyosi Akerele

Toyosi is the Founder of RISE NETWORKS, a Private Sector funded Youth Interest Social Enterprise in Nigeria focusing on National Development Issues and their relationship to economic growth and democratic consolidation. Toyosi Akerele is a respected inspirational and mindful young leader who is celebrated for National Leadership in the service of a larger cause.

An alumnus of the United States Government’s Prestigious International Visitor Leadership Program, she was in June of 2011 described by Michelle Obama, as one of her personal inspirations

She’s spoken at numerous venues. Toyosi is the recipient of numerous awards including recent recognition by Crans Montana Forum in Europe as a 2012 New Leader of Tomorrow, 2012 This Day Awards for Nigeria’s Women of Distinction, Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2011 of Success Digest Entrepreneurial Awards, The 2011 Excellence Awards of the School of Media and Communication, Pan African University, The 2008 Future Awards Best Use of Advocacy Category and the 2007 Nigerian Youth Leadership Awards jointly organized by Leap Africa, International Youth Foundation and Nokia.

Toyosi was born and raised in Nigeria, received a 2nd Class UPPER Bachelors’ degree in Civil Law from the University of Jos, has studied Strategic Management at Executive Level at Cambridge University’s Judge Business School, obtained a Certificate in Youth Inclusive Financial Services from University of New Hampshire, Durham, USA, holds a Certificate in Media Enterprise from the School of Media and Communication, Pan African University and an Executive Masters’ Certificate in Project Management from The Project Management College, UK.