A carefully selected company of speakers and panelists bringing lived experience, bold ideas and practical insight to The Intellectual Summit 2026.
The Intellectual Summit · Igbinedion University
Scholar, leadership coach and founder of TIS. She holds a PhD in International Relations from Igbinedion University, where she also lectures and mentors students.
She builds spaces where young people learn to think critically, lead confidently and live with purpose.
Discover the story behind TISDistinct voices, one shared commitment to helping young people move from potential to purposeful impact.
Spoken-word poet, youth advisor and Global Youth Ambassador
Victory Ashaka is a multi-award-winning spoken word poet, youth advisor to the European Union, poetry slam champion, Global Youth Ambassador of Theirworld and an erstwhile member of the Young People’s Action Team of UNICEF Generation Unlimited (YPAT).
Victory is a graduate of English Literature from Lagos State University and a certified Leadership Fellow from the Management Institute of Finland in Helsinki.
He is a Diana Award Recipient, recipient of the Lord’s Achievers Award for Literature and the Future Awards Africa Prize for Young Person of the Year. He has been featured as a poet laureate and spoken-word artist on platforms including the United Nations, UNICEF, FAO, TEDx, TRT World Forum, Italian Consulate, British Deputy High Commission and the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.
In 2026, Victory released his debut spoken-word EP, The Moving Man, following an intimate Global Listening Party that brought together guests and supporters to experience the project before its official release.
The project marks a new chapter in his artistic journey, blending storytelling, purpose, becoming and lived experiences through spoken word.
Leadership Architect, Brand Strategist and Creative Director
King Ken is a seasoned Leadership Architect, Brand Strategist, and Creative Director/Art Director, and the visionary behind Grafixlodge Studios and Elevatia Academy. With over 22 years of experience, he has built a reputation for shaping high-performance environments and driving transformational outcomes through strategy, influence, and elevated thinking.
His expertise lies in Disruptive Thinking—a refined approach to challenging outdated paradigms, dismantling limiting structures, and developing forward-focused mindsets. He combines strategic clarity, creative insight, and disciplined execution to help individuals and organizations unlock greater capacity and achieve lasting results.
As a leader and facilitator, King Ken is known for building high-performing teams, implementing structured systems, and cultivating cultures of accountability, precision, speed, and excellence. He works with corporate professionals and leaders to navigate paradigm shifts, strengthen performance, and translate bold ideas into measurable outcomes.
His mission is clear: to transform minds, elevate standards, and engineer influence that creates distinction and lasting impact.
Final-year medical student, student leader and leadership advocate
Osuchukwu Kenechukwu Obiagboso currently serves as the 15th President of the Igbinedion University Medical Students Association (IUMSA), where he champions student engagement, academic excellence, inclusivity, leadership development and institutional growth.
His leadership experience includes serving as Assistant General Secretary and Vice President of IUMSA, Assistant National Secretary of the NiMSA Directorate of Climate Awareness and Advocacy Programme, and Deputy Regional Coordinator for the South-South Region of the Nigerian Medical Students’ Association, supporting the welfare of over 5,000 medical students across 12 medical schools.
He is also the pioneer IUMSA Liaison Officer to FAMSA and pioneer licensee of TEDx Igbinedion University. Through leadership and service, he advocates for discipline, adaptability, collaboration and intentional personal growth—encouraging students to look beyond titles and certificates and become individuals who create opportunities, empower others and leave their communities better than they found them.
Leaders working across youth development, education, healthcare, research and community impact.
Panelist
Global advocate for youth development
Bukola Aladesulu works around youth economic empowerment, opportunity access, workforce and leadership development, helping young Africans build the skills, networks and pathways they need to thrive.
She is the Executive Director of Unthrive, a development hub that has empowered over 2,000 young people across eleven countries through learning, mentorship, funding and career opportunities since 2023.
She is a TheirWorld Global Youth Ambassador. She has also served as a Lagos State Youth Ambassador; she led her division in raising over $10,000 to implement ten youth-focused projects, reaching more than 10,000 young people across Nigeria, and was recognised as Youth Ambassador of the Year.
Bukola is a Global Ambassador for Peace and was named one of the 2026 JCI Ten Outstanding Young Persons in Nigeria. She is a TEDx-recognised speaker, a Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative alumna, and a Mini MBA graduate of Queen's University, Canada, where she graduated as the second-best fellow.
Panelist
Medical doctor, clinical biochemist, lecturer and researcher
Dr Harmony Uchenna Ibezim is a mentor and youth development advocate with a strong commitment to empowering young people to become confident, informed and impactful leaders.
He is a Lecturer in the Department of Biochemistry at Igbinedion University, Okada, and a Senior Medical Officer in the Department of Medicine at Igbinedion University Teaching Hospital. His professional work sits at the intersection of healthcare, education, research and community development, with research interests spanning metabolic medicine, public health, toxicology and emerging health challenges in underserved communities.
Beyond his professional career, Dr Ibezim is deeply passionate about youth empowerment, mentorship, leadership, education, public speaking and personal development. He has worked with students and young people through mentorship, leadership initiatives, academic programmes and youth-focused development projects, helping them build confidence, communicate effectively and recognise their capacity to influence their communities.