Asefon Honoured for Leadership in NextGenBuilders Initiative

Oluchi Chibuzor

The Inventors Community has extended special appreciation to Michael Asefon, a renowned technology leader and innovation strategist, for his exemplary service and leadership in advancing Africa’s technology ecosystem through the NextGenBuilders2025 annual programme.

Asefon, who serves as Coordinator and Judge for the NextGenBuilders2025, a flagship programme organised by the inventors community, has been instrumental in mentoring emerging innovators, establishing evaluation frameworks, and fostering technical excellence.

Since its inception in 2015, the Inventors Annual Hackathon has become one of the continent’s most respected grassroots innovation programmes, attracting hundreds of participants from diverse universities and technology hubs.

This year’s edition, branded #NextGenBuilders2025, continues the tradition of empowering young minds through mentorship, skill testing, project incubation, and competitive evaluation.

Asefon’s leadership extends to his role on the Grouping and Review Committee, where he contributes to shaping the judging process, designing technical rubrics, and overseeing quality assurance in the final review of projects.

His expert evaluation of live prototypes, based on innovation, functionality, scalability, and execution quality, will inform the final awards, incubation selections, and recognition for outstanding teams during the Demo Day.

In addition to his judging responsibilities, Asefon has played a crucial part in coordinating over 25 mentors and multiple domain-specific task creators, strengthening the mentorship network and ensuring alignment with global standards in technology innovation and education.

According to the Inventors Community, “Michael P. Asefon’s commitment to innovation, mentorship, and excellence continues to inspire a new generation of technology builders and problem-solvers across Africa. His leadership in the NextGenBuilders2025 programme underscores his enduring dedication to advancing STEM education and sustainable innovation.”

The Investors Community explained that through his continued service, Mr. Asefon reaffirmed his position as one of the continent’s leading figures in information technology and platform engineering, championing the growth of talent that will define the future of digital transformation in Africa.