The Ekiti State Project Coordinator of the Adolescent Girls’ Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), Mrs Yewande Adesua, has represented Nigeria at the just-concluded Open Dialogue (OD) in Moscow after emerging as one of the top global finalists in a highly competitive international essay contest.
Adesua was selected from over 1,700 entries submitted worldwide, with only 104 participants advancing to the final in-person stage held between April 27 and April 29, 2026.
She was the only Nigerian among the finalists and one of nine Africans sponsored by the organisers to participate in the global event.
The forum, themed “The Future of the World: A New Platform for Global Growth,” featured a rigorous two-stage selection process involving essay submission, virtual interviews and physical presentations, with strict screening to ensure originality and non-AI-generated content.
At the event, Adesua presented a paper titled “The Ekiti Model: A Blueprint for Bridging West Africa’s Digital Divide,” where she proposed practical solutions to addressing digital inequality in rural and underserved communities across Nigeria and West Africa.
Her recommendations included policy reforms to accelerate telecommunications infrastructure, establishment of solar-powered digital hubs, deployment of grassroots digital literacy volunteers and the use of local languages to expand access to digital content.
She noted that addressing digital inequality would unlock economic opportunities, improve healthcare delivery through telemedicine, expand access to education and strengthen transparency in governance.
Adesua’s participation is seen as a reflection of the Ekiti State Government’s efforts under Gov. Biodun Oyebanji to reposition education through digital innovation and technology-driven learning initiatives.
Speaking after the event, Adesua acknowledged the support of the Ekiti State Government, the Commissioner for Education, Dr Bimpe Aderiye, and the Head of Service, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi, for providing the enabling environment for her to represent both the state and the country on the global stage.
It will be recalled that during the maiden edition of the Open Dialogue in 2025, Nigeria was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mr Emeka Vitalis Obi.