Theme: The future is us

TEDxVictoriaIsland is a local, independently organized event in Victoria Island, Lagos that strives to re-create the unique experience found at TED, where the world’s leading thinkers and doers congregate to share what they are most passionate about. The fundamental goal of TED and TEDxVictoriaIsland is to spread ideas and advance the discourse on innovation and creativity. We aim to provide a platform where the smartest thinkers, greatest visionaries and most fascinating teachers will not only inspire others, but also be filled with a similar sense of wonder and urgency to shape the future.

On Friday the 12th of October, at the Federal Palace Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, hundreds of young, inspired and innovation driven Nigerians gathered to engage and experience ‘ideas worth spreading’.

With a rich array of Speakers who are positive change makers in their own rights, and an audience eager to influence and expand these ideas, the hall was packed with so much positive energy and spirit of possibility.

Somi, a Rwandan Jazz Singer, set the ball rolling with a brilliant solo performance. Caterina Bortolussi, an Italian, shared a story of how her personal realisation and transformation has evolved to become a move that has affected lives of young girls and women in Rivers State, Nigeria, through fashion. She said she sees fashion as a tool to foster growth and development in Africa.

Segun Akin-Olugbade is building a high performance sports car in Nigeria. When asked why he is doing that, he answered simply, ‘Because I can.’ Speaking about the future of his idea, Segun said SE automotive Ltd will make African designed, African developed, international standard cars.

Kola Masha wants to create 10 million Commercial Farmers in Nigeria by 2030. He said that Nigeria’s job creation engine is Agriculture. He revealed that the common challenge for local Nigerian Farmers is low economies of scale. A farmer organization will deliver high economies of scale by providing leadership, management and investment.

Shina Ajulo showed us the future of Animation in Nigeria, and we all loved it to point that he got a standing ovation afterwards. A school drop-out, self-taught animator, Shina now has a team that he has built a company around, driven by an intense passion. According to Shina, “We have the best stories in Africa, but the problem is delivery. We want to tell these stories with the best quality of animations.”

TED Fellow and Managing Director of Flying Doctors Nigeria Ltd, West Africa’s first Air Ambulance Service, Dr Ola Orekunrin, inspired everyone to take a stand and say ‘Never Again’ to issues that hold us back as individuals and as a collective group of people.

Harry Tomi Davies spoke of the importance of "Letting Children Play".

Mitchell Elegbe, MD/CEO of Interswitch Ltd, capped the day off with an insightful illustration of how perception is key if we are to affect the future as we intend to. This was very critical, especially as the theme for the TEDx Victoria Island was ‘We are the Future’.

Somi closed the show in the most beautiful way, with a performance that resonated through the hall and I am quite certain the whole experience will resonate in our hearts till our ideas become industries and our country and continent is transformed because of our efforts.

The Federal Palace Hotel, External Ballroom
6 – 8 Ahmadu Bello Way
Victoria Island
Nigeria