ABDULRAFIU
IZUAFA

Forget the image of the average Nigerian boy glued to a football pitch. For me, the thrill wasn't in chasing a ball, but in chasing lines of code. Growing up in Edo State and later Abuja, my passion for tech ignited early.

At just 18 years old, I became the youngest Microsoft MVP globally (M365 Category - Excel), recognized for groundbreaking work in AI and commitment to community-driven tech education. I was invited to the exclusive Microsoft MVP Global Summit in the United States, where I engaged with Microsoft product teams and leaders from around the world. Microsoft fully covered my travel, accommodation, and participation costs for this three-day summit.

I'm the founder of AzureLearn AI, a thriving community helping everyday learners become AI Champions through accessible education, real-world projects, and genuine connection. We've built onboarding systems, contributor guides, and initiatives for inclusive AI education.

As Co-founder of Notes, an edtech startup, I'm delivering personalized learning tools to students across Africa and the Caribbean. I'm also Co-founder & Head of AI/ML at NudgeNest, an AI-driven platform that empowers renters and homeowners to effortlessly micro-save for rent or mortgage through proactive behavioral nudging. Additionally, I serve as Senior AI/ML Consultant with Onyx Data, specializing in Microsoft AI solutions.

I'm a published researcher on ResearchGate (2 publications, 462 reads, 2 citations), passionate about ethical AI/ML applications—from personalized learning recommendation systems to AI-powered drone weapon detection systems. Active in tech education, I volunteer as an instructor at Tech Optimum and serve as a certified judge for international competitions like Technovation, WeVoi, and Owlypia.

As a Fellow at the Centre for Journalism Innovation, I developed the News Accessibility Platform (NAP), an AI-driven solution improving news access for people with disabilities. I'm also a Gold Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador, serving as Projects Team Lead and creating robust tech communities on campus.