Gbenga Sesan

**Gbenga Sesan** (born Oluwagbenga Olabisi Sesan on July 27, 1977, in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria) is a prominent Nigerian Social ICT entrepreneur and policy advocate, recognized internationally for his work in internet governance, digital development, and digital rights in Africa. **Early Life and Education** Sesan was born and raised in Akure, Ondo State. He pursued higher education at Obafemi Awolowo University, where he graduated with a degree in Electronic and Electrical Engineering in 2002. He later attended executive education programs at the Lagos Business School. He currently resides in Lagos with his wife, Temilade. **Career Progression and Notable Works** Sesan's career has focused on leveraging Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for social impact and advocating for digital rights. He is best known as the Executive Director of the **Paradigm Initiative**, a social enterprise dedicated to connecting Nigerian youth with ICT-enabled opportunities and advocating for digital rights and internet freedom across Africa. In 2016, Sesan announced plans to hand over his role as CEO of Paradigm Initiative at the end of 2017 to focus on policy work. His expertise has led him to serve in various advisory roles globally. From 2020 to 2021, he was a Non-Resident Fellow at the Digital Civil Society Lab at Stanford University. He has also advised organizations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Data Privacy and the World Economic Forum on developing rights-respecting Data Policy for businesses. **Major Achievements and Current Status** Gbenga Sesan has received several accolades for his contributions to ICT and entrepreneurship. He was recognized by CNN in 2012 as "one of the 10 Leading African Tech Voices" on Twitter. That same year, he was listed among the 40 African Legends Under 40 by Ventures Africa. In 2014, he was named a Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur of the Year. He has also been recognized as an Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellow and an Ashoka Fellow, among others. In 2022, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Sesan to serve on his inaugural Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Leadership Panel, underscoring his continued influence in global digital policy.