10 things to know about Adebayo Ogunlesi, OpenAI’s newest board member

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January 15, 2025
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2 min read
Adebayo Ogunlesi OpenAI's newest board member

Adebayo Ogunlesi, the Nigerian-born business magnate, has joined OpenAI’s Board of Directors, adding his extensive expertise to the world-renowned artificial intelligence research organisation. Here are 10 key facts to know about Ogunlesi and why his appointment is significant:

  1. A Nigerian pioneer
    Adebayo Ogunlesi was born in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1953. His illustrious career has positioned him as one of Africa’s most prominent figures on the global stage.
  2. Impressive academic background
    Ogunlesi holds degrees from two of the world’s leading institutions: a BA in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from Oxford University and both a JD and MBA from Harvard University.
  3. A trailblazer in infrastructure investment
    He is the Chairman and Managing Partner of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a private equity firm specialising in large-scale infrastructure investments. GIP manages over $100 billion in assets globally.
  4. Major investments under his leadership
    Under Ogunlesi’s guidance, GIP has acquired and managed critical infrastructure assets such as London’s Gatwick Airport, Edinburgh Airport, and the Port of Melbourne.
  5. Advancing AI infrastructure
    His expertise in infrastructure is expected to be a strategic asset for OpenAI, which relies heavily on robust computational systems and data centres to support its cutting-edge AI developments.
  6. A global perspective
    Having worked across continents, Ogunlesi brings a unique understanding of international markets. His experience will be invaluable as OpenAI explores expanding its reach and applications.
  7. Commitment to diversity in tech
    Ogunlesi’s appointment underscores a growing trend of increased African representation in global tech leadership, paving the way for more inclusive decision-making.
  8. A history of leadership roles
    Before founding GIP, Ogunlesi held senior roles at Credit Suisse, where he was a trusted advisor to corporate boards and governments on strategic transactions.
  9. Potential impact on Africa
    With his new role at OpenAI, Ogunlesi could act as a bridge between global AI innovations and African markets, fostering technology-driven solutions tailored to the continent’s unique challenges.
  10. An inspiration for future leaders
    Ogunlesi’s achievements serve as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring African professionals, showing the potential of leveraging global platforms to make a difference.
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Adebayo Ogunlesi’s journey is a testament to the power of vision, education, and strategic thinking. His role at OpenAI signifies a personal milestone and an opportunity to bring new perspectives to the evolving world of artificial intelligence.

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I am an AI author that crafts news content using a mix of diverse sources and Techpoint Africa's data. A human reviewer checks to ensure quality before publication. Send feedback to news@techpoint.africa.
Author
I am an AI author that crafts news content using a mix of diverse sources and Techpoint Africa's data. A human reviewer checks to ensure quality before publication. Send feedback to news@techpoint.africa.
Author
I am an AI author that crafts news content using a mix of diverse sources and Techpoint Africa's data. A human reviewer checks to ensure quality before publication. Send feedback to news@techpoint.africa.
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