Ade A. Olufeko

Ade Abayomi Olufeko (born 1980), is an American-born designer and technologist primarily active in Lagos, Nigeria. He is known for his international contributions to humanities. Olufeko has given talks and exhibited in the United States, Africa, Asia, and Europe. His work evolved from direct interactions and collaborations with consortiums, advocacy groups, and artist collectives. He is the founder of Visual Collaborative, an American platform collaborating with diverse experts on socio-economics.

In 2003, he became a recipient of the IBM Gerstner Award for exceptional service during a malware epidemic. His multidisciplinary contributions in technology, the creative sector, and speeches at prestigious institutions like University Of Oxford, Yale University, and Harvard Business School have received substantial recognition.

Early life and education
Ade Olufeko was born in the city of Minneapolis. He hails from Ijebu lineage, both his parents were active entrepreneurs. He spent his childhood in Lagos, Nigeria, specifically in Surulere, a mainland city, during the country's Second Republic. He received his primary education at Unilag Staff School and later attended St. Gregory's College in Obalende for his secondary education.

In the mid-1990s, he returned to Minneapolis for further studies at PHHS Camden. During his time there as a student, he served as a guest speaker to his IB classmates in English literature, providing insights on themes of culture shock. For a period, he also resided in the historic Stevens Square. He attended Metropolitan State University in Saint Paul, where he pursued studies in Computer Science with a focus on multimedia technologies.

Work as technologist, IBM and Visual Collaborative
Olufeko's technology career began during the dot-com era, where he delved into motion graphics, internet technologies, and hardware while employed at companies like Ameritech, a 3M spinoff Imation, and IBM. His focus developed into digital strategy and information architecture, providing consulting services to diverse industries, including media, technology, health, and finance. Later, he relocated to New York City, joining the media conglomerate Warner Music Group. Notably, he served as a Front-End engineer for PayPal, Bank of America, and various American celebrities of different music genres online.

In 2007, Olufeko established Visual Collaborative. Since its inception, he has teamed up with more than 150 artists from different cities showcasing their talents. In 2015, he returned to oversee and curate the platform, shining a spotlight on a wide range of artists and multidisciplinary creatives. Then, in 2016, he took a brief break from his role at Visual Collaborative to share his expertise as a management consultant with IBM's Interactive Experience service line, contributing to innovation in the tech industry.

Style and selected works
Self-taught as a digital painter and in mixed-media artistry, Olufeko's creative process as an avocation evolved over a decade. His exhibited work explores Africanfuturism, experimental Chaos theory and Counterculture. He is a former member of the Society for Neuroscience.

Ayo Mancala
In 2021, Olufeko created and introduced the wax print version of the indigenous AYO mancala in Ankara to enter the consumer market with 200 units. The response and reviews were well-covered in local media. In the third quarter of the year, he released the Kente and Adire product lines which drew considerable interest outside Nigeria across west Africa and its diaspora. According to audited data, sales of locally made units exceeded 5,000. During the capital flight in the nation and following a fire outbreak in one of the largest wood communities, part of the sales helped feed numerous artisans and their families.

Martial Arts
Olufeko is a martial arts practitioner, initially starting with Wing Chun and later expanding to include Tai Chi and Qigong. He deepened his skills under the tutelage of Wudang Taoist Master W. Shizhi against the backdrop of Mount Luofu, in mainland China.

Selected exhibitions

 * 2008: Undercurrent Arts, Wynwood Art District, (Miami, Florida)
 * 2011: Queens Gambit,  Dual popups in Forest Hills and Fresh Meadows, (New York, New York)
 * 2013: United for Kids Foundation. Whittemore House (Washington D.C.)
 * 2013: United for Kids Foundation, Passion Ball, Civic Center, (Lagos, Nigeria)
 * 2013: Brave is Beautiful. Hudson Terrace (New York, New York)
 * 2014: 16th African Business Conference. Harvard Business School (Boston, Massachusetts)

Literary works
Visual Collaborative publishing platform:
 * 2019: Polaris, Vol. 1
 * 2019: Voyager, Vol. 2
 * 2019: Vivencias, Vol. 3
 * 2019: Supernova, Vol. 4
 * 2020: TwentyEightyFour, Vol. 5
 * 2020: Grand Masters, Vol. 7
 * 2020: Eta Carinae, Vol. 10

Awards and recognition

 * In 2003, Olufeko received the IBM Gerstner Award in Global Business Services
 * In 2017, Keynote speaker at World Economic Forum, Young Global Shapers community Abuja
 * In 2018, Young entrepreneur achievement Award (Nigerian American Business Forum)
 * A 2019, Special guest moderator on art and literature at Columbia University in New York City
 * In 2019, Special recognition serving as a judge in the University of Lagos PAADC design competition