Jobs/Appointments
Uzodinma Iweala to Step Down as Africa Center CEO December 2024
By Adedapo Adesanya
Award-winning writer, filmmaker, and medical doctor, Dr Uzodinma Iweala, will step down as the chief executive officer of the Africa Center in December 2024 after seven years at the helm of affairs of the institution.
The Africa Center is a multidisciplinary 501c3 nonprofit institution helping to shape a vision of Africa’s future. Serving as a gateway to engagement with contemporary Africa, and under Dr Iweala’s leadership evolved from a visual arts museum into an interdisciplinary centre with an expanded mission that includes culture and policy programming that aims to change narratives and create new opportunities for Africa and the Diaspora.
As a platform for the exchange of ideas around culture, business, and policy as related to the African continent, the Africa Center advances thought and action around Africa’s global influence.
Dr Iwaela, the son of the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and former Nigerian Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, also led the Africa Center at Aliko Dangote Hall when it first opened its doors to the public in 2019, swiftly becoming a thriving cultural hub in Harlem.
The Center has since produced more than 280 programs across its thematic areas of culture, policy, and business related to contemporary African life. The Center has welcomed more than 177,000 visitors to contemporary cultural exhibitions, art installations, performances, film screenings, author talks, policy forums, and a myriad of special events, including Harlem Day celebrations.
Speaking on his departure, Dr Iweala said, “After seven years of dedicated service to The Africa Center, I have decided that it is time to turn the page and write my next chapter,”
“My journey at The Africa Center has been incredibly rewarding, not just professionally but personally, as our team has worked tirelessly to fulfil and expand our mission. I am proud of what we have accomplished together, from opening our doors to hosting programs and exhibitions centred on African people and the African Diaspora that may not have happened anywhere else but here. We’ve built a resilient and supportive community around our mission. I am confident that the Center is in a strong position to welcome new leadership to carry the institution to even greater heights.”
It is not clear where the next path for the accomplished author will be, but his duration at the centre was marked by a lot of growth including the creation of the Future Africa Forum, which initiated The Africa Center’s interdisciplinary approach to policy programming. That signature forum convenes heads of state, senior political officials, industry leaders, philanthropists, and luminaries in culture for discussions during the United Nations General Assembly.
According to a statement, it was announced that Dr Iweala also brought The Africa Center into a trailblazing partnership with Africa No Filter and the University of Cape Town to develop the Global Media Index that provides a benchmark for the way Africa is covered in the media. Among the curatorial highlights, Iweala’s team partnered with the Museum of Food and Drink to co-present the landmark exhibition African/American: Making the Nations Table and with Independent Curators International to co-present the exhibition States of Becoming featured cutting-edge 17 African artists from the continent and Diaspora.
He worked closely with the Board of Trustees to negotiate a retirement of the museum’s debt, reinvigorate fundraising, jumpstart construction of its flagship Aliko Dangote Hall, and grow relations with its neighbours. Iweala established a solid foundation of support for the Center within Harlem, the greater New York City area, on the African continent, and within African Diasporic communities throughout the world.
Prior to serving as CEO of The Africa Center, Iweala was the CEO, Editor-In-Chief, and co-founder of Ventures Africa magazine, a publication that covers the evolving business, policy, culture, and innovation spaces in Africa. His books include Beasts of No Nation, a novel released in 2005 to critical acclaim and adapted into a major motion picture; Our Kind of People, a non-fiction account of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria released in 2012; and Speak No Evil (2018), a novel about a queer first-generation Nigerian-American teen living in Washington, D.C. He also holds several positions across medicine and philanthropy.
No successor was announced by the organisation but it has selected Mr Isaacson Miller to search for The Africa Center’s next leader working alongside the Transition Committee that includes Trustees Temi Adeniji, Jim Bildner, Jamie Cooper, Jendayi Frazer, Meredith Marshall, and Ben Stein.
The Africa Center Board Co-Chair Chelsea Clinton lauded Dr Iweala saying, “The Board of Trustees is immensely grateful to Uzodinma Iweala for his visionary leadership, passion, and unwavering commitment to The Africa Center,” said Board Co-Chair Chelsea Clinton.
Also, Board Co-Chair Jendayi Frazer added that, “Uzodinma leaves behind a legacy of growth, innovation, and community engagement that will continue to inspire our work for years to come. We are committed to finding a successor who will build on his achievements and who will guide The Africa Center into its next phase of development as an institution and centre for the exploration of contemporary African issues in New York City and across the globe.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
Global blockchain ecosystem behind the world’s largest digital asset exchange by trading volume and users, Binance, has appointed its co-founder, Ms Yi He, as its co-CEO.
“Yi has been an integral part of the executive leadership team since the launch of Binance. Her innovative and user-focused approach has been instrumental in shaping the company’s vision, culture, and bottom-up business strategy,” said Binance CEO, Mr Richard Teng. “This appointment is a natural progression and she will continue to guide the organization from strength to strength.”
“We remain dedicated to being the most trusted and regulated exchange in the world, always putting our users first. Yi plays a critical role in growing our community and driving product innovation as we work to reach one billion users. Together, we are focused on building the Web3 infrastructure and promoting financial freedom, empowering people to participate in a more open and fair financial system,” added Mr Teng.
“I am honored to build alongside Richard, who brings decades of experience in regulated financial markets and was among the first to regulate crypto in its early days,” said Ms He. “Together, we bring diverse perspectives and are confident in leading the future of the industry during this pivotal time, as we responsibly expand our global presence and drive sustainable innovation with our users always at the center.”
Binance remains one of the world’s largest players in crypto trading, and leadership changes within the company continue to draw attention due to its scale and influence.
The appointment of a co-CEO adds structure during a period when global exchanges emphasize compliance, operational clarity and more formal management frameworks.
The company did not announce changes to its product lineup or platform priorities alongside the leadership update, and no financial terms were disclosed. The addition of a co-CEO role reflects an internal effort to distribute responsibilities as the firm works with regulators and seeks stability in a competitive and closely watched industry.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The African Petroleum Regulators Forum (AFRIPERF) has chosen Nigeria as its official headquarters and also elected the chief executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mr Gbenga Komolafe, as its chairman.
Recall that in September, 16 countries, led by Nigeria, gathered in Accra, Ghana, to witness the signing of the charter establishing the forum, which seek to harmonise oil regulation in Africa.
Others include Ghana, Somalia, Gambia, Madagascar, Sudan, Guinea, and Togo among others.
The decisions were announced at the inaugural executive committee meeting of the forum which took place virtually on December 2, 2025. The meeting which was attended by the 16 African countries, was convened to pick its leadership, headquarters and logo.
Prior to his endorsement as the substantive pioneering chairman, Mr Komolafe acted in interim capacity.
Also, Mrs Eyoanwan Ndiyo-Aiyetan also emerged as the secretary of AFRIPERF.
According to a statement on Wednesday, NUPRC notes that the development affirms Nigeria’s central role in the African petroleum regulatory space and as Africa’s largest producer of crude oil.
In his acceptance speech, Mr Komolafe thanked his African counterparts for the trust and honour, promising to ensure that no member country is left behind.
AFRIPERF aims to strengthen regional petroleum governance by fostering collaboration, cooperation and coordination among member regulators.
Its mission includes creating standards, enhancing transparency and addressing cross-border challenges such as gas trade, emissions, and digitalisation while making the African continent energy sector attractive for crucial investments.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The immediate past Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has been nominated by President Bola Tinubu as the new Minister of Defence, replacing Mr Mohammed Badaru Abubakar.
The erstwhile minister resigned from his position with immediate effect for health reasons, the president’s spokesman, Mr Bayo Onanuga, had said on Monday night.
The 63-year-old’s departure coincides with a period of heightened security challenges across Nigeria, with the government under pressure to deal with a spate of mass kidnappings.
In a letter to Senate President, Mr Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu conveyed Mr Musa’s nomination as the successor to Mr Abubakar, according to statement on Tuesday by Mr Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
The 58-year-old retired military chief is described as a distinguished soldier who served as the CDS from 2023 until October 2025. He won the Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012.
Born in Sokoto in 1967, Mr Musa received his primary and secondary education there before attending the College of Advanced Studies in Zaria. He graduated in 1986 and enrolled at the Nigerian Defence Academy the same year, earning a Bachelor of Science degree upon graduation in 1991.
He was commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a Second Lieutenant in 1991 and has since had a distinguished career. His appointments included General Staff Officer 1, Training/Operations at HQ 81 Division; Commanding Officer, 73 Battalion; Assistant Director, Operational Requirements, Department of Army Policy and Plans; and Infantry Representative/Member, Training Team, HQ Nigerian Army Armour Corps.
In 2019, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff, Training/Operations, Headquarters Infantry Centre and Corps; Commander, Sector 3, Operation Lafiya Dole; and Commander, Sector 3 Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Region.
In 2021, Mr Musa was appointed Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai. He later became Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps before being appointed CDS by President Tinubu in 2023.
In the letter to the Senate, Mr Tinubu expressed confidence in Mr Musa’s ability to lead the Ministry of Defence and further strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.
If confirmed by the upper legislative chamber, he will take up the ministry at a crucial time when security challenges including terror and kidnappings are plaguing the country.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism9 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking7 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn