Skip to main content

Review of 2024



Building AI solutions for Africa requires more than just technical expertise - it demands persistence, vision, and a deep understanding of local challenges.

2024 proved that combining technical innovation with practical solutions can drive real change in African markets. As we advanced our work on identity verification systems, each challenge reinforced why local context matters in AI development.

Key milestones that shaped our impact:

• Won 2024 MBB Grant Award (2x winner) for Ojumi platform

• Promoted to Head of AI at Gamol Studio

• Began MSc in Electrical/Electronics Engineering at University of Lagos

• Led development of AI-powered identity verification solutions


Most impactful developments:

"Ojumi AI-Powered Identity Verification"

Designed to address fragmented identity systems and expand financial inclusion across Africa

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7276479942123540480/


"Advancing AI Research in African Markets"

How local context shapes effective AI solutions


"Technical Innovation Meets Market Need"

Building identity verification systems that work for African realities




The parallel tracks of technical leadership and continued education have strengthened our ability to develop solutions that truly serve African markets. Every challenge in identity verification has reinforced why understanding local context matters as much as technical capability.

Looking ahead to 2025: We're focused on expanding Ojumi's impact while deepening our technical expertise through graduate studies in control systems. The intersection of AI innovation and practical market needs remains our north star.


To every innovator working to solve real challenges in African markets: technical excellence matters, but understanding local context transforms good solutions into transformative ones.


Related article

Becoming a MATLAB Student Ambassador

It is indeed an honor to share that I am now the MATLAB student ambassador for the University of Lagos. My role is to organise programs and events that helps grow the adoption of the MATLAB software on campus. I will also be undergoing some inhouse training under the tootalage of the engineers at MathWorks.  MATLAB student ambassadors are important links between MathWorks and the University of Lagos. Ambassadors inform students about the availability of MATLAB and Simulink on campus and showcase the products’ functionality—all while earning money. Millions of engineers and scientists rely on MATLAB and Simulink in a wide range of applications and industries. I am now part of the global MATLAB community and will gain essential professional experience by working with a leading technical computing software company while still in school.  

Appointement by Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN)

MATLAB Launches Student Ambassadorship Programme at UNILAG with Support from NgREN NgREN, in partnership with MathWorks , has facilitated the selection of Mr. Ibrahim Gbadegesin as the first MATLAB Student Ambassador at the University of Lagos (UNILAG). Representing NgREN, Mr. AbdulKarim Giwa Suleiman emphasized the importance of equipping Nigerian students with globally recognized tools that foster innovation and skills for the future. As Ambassador, Ibrahim will lead awareness, training, and outreach to expand MATLAB and Simulink adoption at UNILAG and beyond. This milestone highlights NgREN’s commitment to partnerships that connect Nigerian academia with global platforms for teaching, research, and innovation. Congratulations, Ibrahim!

Electric Drives

For my masters thesis, I am working on control of electric drives. Electric drives powers electric vehicles, modern robotics and gadgets. Ongoing research are to reduce power consumption, heat disspation and size of these systems so effective control can be achieved at high reliability and efficiency. With existing controllers, we could develop algorithms that can help us achieve dextrity with machines. Electric drives helps us achieve precision in control at the hardware level. Next, we can integrate AI or mobile apps for monitoring and customised agent control.
Ibrahim is a multi-award winning innovator whose expertise interconnects hardware, software and AI development in Africa. Ibrahim is an AI expert with over half a decade experience in the African tech space. He is all about growth and greatness with innovation in Africa.  He works as the Chief AI Scientist at Gamol Studio.

Ojumi

Ojumi is an ai powered identity recorgnition software. It identify faces, fingerprints, passports and NIN documents. Oju means eyes. Ojumi means my eyes.  It is an intelligent eyes for verification. As a verification layer, it can be synced with fintech, security, education and entertainment platforms (tickets).   

Finite Element Analysis for DFIG

Finite element analysis (FEA) is the process of predicting an object’s behavior based on calculations made with the finite element method (FEM). While FEM is a mathematical technique, FEA is the interpretation of the results FEM provides. FEA gives engineers insights into complex systems and structures, helping them make more informed design decisions. 

Building for Africa

That is why I focus on building AI solutions for Africa, irrespective of whether the Western version already exists. It is a fact that Western tools often don't perform well with local feature detection or deployment realities in Africa. In Africa, however, we like to talk and watch others do things for us. With my AI works, I hope it inspires more innovators to build for Africa and iterate till it fits our local contexts. Individually, this will give us confidence that we are not spectators and allow us to contribute significantly to the league of AI research. Africa should not just be a deployment zone. It can also be the building zone that prevents AI solutions from being biased in Africa. No GPT of the future can guarantee that without us. I believe that the key contribution is our work to do. 

Unbanked

Unbanked is an ai powered credit scorimg software.  I am developing a universal credit scoring system using reinforcement learning and machine learning. With this credit score, money can be borrowed with guatantee of repayment.. Hala funding still needs guarantee that the cost price will be refunded. We used  NIN x BVN x Phone No - in creating a unbanked account. Base on algorithm, we score each accounts from 0 to 1000. 0 - 200  - auzla 201 - 400 - alpha 401 - 600 - baller 601 - 800 - oganla 801 - 1000 - odoogwu

Induction Machine Simulation

Induction Machines are quite useful in industrial designs because of their variable speed control and applity for easy configuration.

AI Grant 2024

  I am happy to announce the recipient of an AI grant for project Ojumi. This award makes me a two times MBB grant winner. All praises to God and those who truly believe in us towards building ai driven solutions in Africa. To the organisers, I am truly greatful for this award.