TN Naija, the growing community of Nigerian tech professionals in the UK, announces the return of Connect & Ignite, its flagship annual gathering designed to celebrate and amplify the role of Nigerian diaspora talent in shaping the future of innovation across the UK and Nigeria.
Set to take place on Saturday, 12 July 2025, at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham, the event will bring together hundreds of tech professionals, startup founders, investors,
policymakers, and ecosystem leaders under the theme: “Creating Prosperity Across Borders: Building With and For the Diaspora.”
A new kind of migration story
Across the UK’s digital economy — from fintech and climate tech to public innovation and policy— Nigerians are emerging not just as workers, but as innovation drivers. TN Naija is one of the diaspora networks accelerating this transformation.
“When we started TN Naija, it was to ensure no Nigerian navigating the UK tech ecosystem had to do it alone,” says Dele Bakare, founder of the community and a repeat founder in the UK and Nigeria. “We were building belonging — but we were also building bridges. Today, that bridge is becoming an ecosystem.”
Impact across industries
The TN Naija network now spans over 600 Nigerian tech professionals working in roles across industries such as fintech, energy, public digital infrastructure, consulting, artificial intelligence, and innovation policy. Members have held roles and driven initiatives at leading companies and government agencies across the UK.
“Our impact is growing — in startups, in leadership, in policy,” adds Francisca Otu, a TN Naija director. “But what’s special is that we’re not just excelling as individuals, we’re choosing to stay connected, to lift others, and to feed opportunity back home.”
Event highlights
Connect & Ignite 2025 will feature a dynamic program of keynote sessions, panel conversations, startup showcases, breakout rooms, and networking — culminating in an evening Games & Afrobeats Afterparty.
Featured speakers and guests include:
● Bolaji Sofoluwe MBE – Founder, ETK Group (Keynote Speaker)
● Dr. Caroline Chibelushi – AI Lead, Innovate UK
● Davies Okeowo – Managing Partner, Enterprise Hill
● Zina Alfa – Head of Content & Startup Lead, Colorintech
● Surayyah Ahmad – General Partner, Sabao Capital
● Asha Haji – VP Operations, Multiverse
● … and many more.
Breakouts will explore career growth, diaspora investing, building across ecosystems, identity,and leadership.
🎧 Afrobeats Afterparty with socials games
Event details
📍 Venue: The Eastside Rooms, Birmingham
📅 Date: Saturday, July 12, 2025
🕚 Time: 11:00 a.m.
🎟 Tickets: tnnaija.com/connect
About TN Naija
TN Naija is a peer-led community of over 600 Nigerian professionals in the UK tech space, many of whom are recipients of the UK Global Talent Visa. Through events, mentorship, collaboration, and shared resources, the community is helping Nigerian talent integrate into the UK tech ecosystem while strengthening connections back home.
The 2025 event has been put together by Dele Bakare, Francisca Chiedu, Damilare Ogunleye, Yanju Lawal (Speakers), Ibukun Salau (Operations) Damilola Aderinto (Sponsorship) and Wale Ogunjobi (Media & Marketing) and Joy Nwaiwu (Community Manager).
Contact:
Wale Ogunjobi – Media & Marketing
Damilola Aderinto – Sponsorship
General enquiries