From failed medical student to shaping African AI policy
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Nosike Nwigene of Lagos, Nigeria, transitioned from struggling to become a doctor to becoming a key figure in shaping technology policy in Africa.
Initially expected to follow his father’s profession, Nwigene repeatedly failed to gain medical school admission. He eventually earned a degree in Industrial Chemistry while developing skills in writing, marketing, and event organization. Nwigene began his career in communications, working with tech startups at InsiderPR in Abuja.
Through this role, he observed regulatory challenges faced by these companies and became interested in policy advocacy. He volunteered with the Nigeria Startup Bill, contributing to its development and advocating for its adoption by state governments, later receiving a commendation from the President’s office for his work. Since then, Nwigene’s work has expanded into civic technology and climate investment communications with organizations like Code for Africa and the World Bank.
Currently, he leads Nonfictly, a small advisory firm focused on helping organizations navigate complex issues and communicate effectively. He is now focusing on the intersection of AI policy and its practical implications for African companies, recently moderating a panel on AI compute capacity at the 2026 GITEX Nigeria summit.
