Nigerian talent advisor Taiwo Adeyemi named 2025 Skoll fellow at Oxford

Taiwo Adeyemi, a Nigerian talent advisor, has been selected as one of 35 global changemakers for the 2025 Skoll Fellowship at the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.

Don Gipps, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Skoll Foundation, said the fellowship is awarded to individuals who have “demonstrated exceptional leadership in addressing the world’s most pressing challenges through innovative and sustainable solutions”.

Adeyemi is recognised for his work at the intersection of culture, media, and social impact.

Through BoxxCulture, his consulting agency, he has helped Nollywood actress Nse Ikpe-Etim to advocate for women’s health and collaborated with chess master Tunde Onakoya to raise $1 million for African children’s education.

Adeyemi expressed gratitude for the recognition and shared his vision for the fellowship.

“I’m deeply honoured to join a global network that is redefining leadership, storytelling, and social innovation,” he said.

“My work has always been about service—both to my clients and to society—but I rarely find myself on the receiving end of opportunities like this, which makes it all the more special.

“Through this fellowship, my focus is on gradually learning the intricacies of building a foundation that holds deep personal meaning for me.

“Using the same creative storytelling techniques that have helped my clients amplify their impact, I want to raise awareness and drive action to prevent fire accidents—a cause that hits home, as I lost my father to one.”

As a 2025 Skoll Fellow, Adeyemi will join a distinguished cohort of leaders spanning entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and the arts.

The Skoll Foundation was founded in 1999 by Jeff Skoll, the first president of eBay.

The foundation boasts of over $1.2 billion investments in 420 organisations worldwide, focusing on systemic change across various sectors.

The foundation also hosts the annual Skoll world forum, which convenes leaders from across the globe, including past speakers like Malala Yousafzai, Muhammad Yunus, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.