By Emmanuel Afonne

LEAP Africa, a youth-focused leadership development organisation, has appointed six professionals to its Board of Directors to strengthen its governance and build a resilient, future-ready institution.

The Executive Director of LEAP Africa, Mrs Kehinde Ayeni, stated this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday.

Ayeni stated that the appointments were aimed at positioning the organisation to respond effectively to emerging challenges and opportunities facing young Africans.

LEAP Africa stands for Leadership, Effectiveness, Accountability and Professionalism; it is committed to developing ethical young leaders capable of transforming Africa.

“The six new directors are Toyin Akinniyi, Bella Disu, Ifeoma Finnih, Remilekun Soyannwo, Sobel Ngom and Victor Onyenkpa.

“They bring extensive experience spanning telecommunications, finance, investment, corporate governance, technology, philanthropy and international development.

“The appointments will strengthen its strategic oversight, broaden its institutional capacity and support its expanding pan-African leadership development programmes.

“These appointments are timely, given the organisation’s expanding programmes and growing continental ambitions.”

Ayeni said the experience, networks and strategic insights of the new directors would create opportunities for collaboration, innovation and improved programme delivery.

The LEAP Africa executive director said their contributions would further strengthen the organisation’s capacity to inspire and empower young Africans to drive transformative change in their communities.

“Disu is Executive Vice Chairman of Globacom, who has more than two decades of experience in telecommunications, corporate governance, entrepreneurship and philanthropy.

“Soyannwo, Chief Executive Officer of Shell Pension Fund, has more than 30 years of experience in financial management, corporate finance and investment governance.

“She previously served as Chief Financial Officer of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company and currently sits on the boards of Stanbic IBTC Bank and Pan Ocean Oil & Gas Group.

“Finnih, Director of Infrastructure and Climate at Chapel Hill Denham, has more than 17 years of experience in banking, infrastructure financing and investment management.

“Onyenkpa, a former Chief Operating Officer of KPMG Africa, brings over three decades of experience in governance, finance and risk management.

“He retired from KPMG Africa in 2025 and contributed to national policy initiatives, including the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms.”

Ayeni added that Akinniyi, who is Regional Portfolio Director at Luminate, had over two decades of experience in philanthropy and international development, particularly in technology governance, impact investing and grantmaking, and would replicate it to LEAP Africa.

“For Ngom, Chief Executive Officer of Tostan International, he will bring expertise in community-led development, organisational strategy, programme leadership and impact measurement, and his appointment will introduce a Francophone West African perspective into the organisation’s board.

“The six directors will join the existing board chaired by Mrs Clare Omatseye, Founder and Managing Director of JNC International.

“Other members include Tola Adeyemi, Chief Executive Officer, KPMG One Africa; Chike Maduegbuna, Sadiq Usman, Micheline Ntiru, Waziri Adio, Abasiama Idaresit and Iyadunni Olubode,” she said.

Board Chair, Omatseye, said strong governance remained central to the organisation’s ability to deliver sustainable impact.

Omatseye said the new directors’ professional accomplishments, leadership experience and commitment to Africa’s development would enrich board deliberations and deepen strategic oversight.

She said the appointments reflected LEAP Africa’s commitment to building a resilient, future-ready institution capable of responding to the challenges and opportunities confronting young Africans.

Through interventions in education, entrepreneurship, employability, active citizenship, health and wellbeing, LEAP Africa equips young people to drive positive change.

With more than 12 million indirect beneficiaries across Nigeria and 48 African countries, LEAP Africa continues to promote an inclusive and prosperous continent through dynamic, innovative and ethical youth leadership.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo