Techprenuer Wale Kuku // Photo Courtesy
Two years after his first attempt at the Ogun East Senatorial seat, tech entrepreneur and politician Wale Kuku is back in the race.
The founder of F1 Interactive, a leading tech firm in Africa, and a strong advocate for youth empowerment and digital innovation, Kuku is making another bid to represent the people of Ogun East in the Senate.
In 2023, he ran under the Labour Party, aligning himself with the vision of Peter Obi and the party’s call for a new Nigeria. His campaign was unlike anything Ogun East had seen before – highly digital, focused on real issues that was backed by a strong grassroots movement.
The youthful techpreneur toured all the nine local government areas, meeting people in villages, towns and urban centers, presenting his ideas using projectors and pamphlets rather than the usual money politics.
Though he didn’t win, Kuku built a structure that has since grown stronger. As the county prepares for general elections in 2027, Wale believes he is in a better position to claim victory.
Since his last campaign, Kuku has remained active in community development. His foundation, New Generation, has continued its work in education, agriculture and job creation.
His Modern Farmer program, which began with 100 acres of cassava farming for youth, has expanded to processing cassava into high-quality garri for export.
Another key project run by the foundation, the Didako Idan (Magic Farming) initiative, which allows farmers to develop their land and pay after selling their produce, has gained traction, helping small-scale farmers access resources without financial strain.
“My vision for Ogun East has not changed. I believe we have the potential to become a hub for innovation, digital transformation, and agricultural excellence. Our farmers deserve better access to resources, our youths deserve more job opportunities, and our leaders must be held accountable,” Kuku said.
Wale’s tech work has also continued to grow. He is leading OneAfrica, a movement pushing for Africa’s dominance in the digital space.
He has been vocal about making internet-enabled smartphones accessible to all Nigerians, believing that connectivity is the key to financial inclusion, education and business growth.
His TecHandwork program, which trains young people in tech skills like coding and business analysis, has placed hundreds of Nigerians in remote tech jobs and he believes Ogun East will be a future hub for digital talent export.
Kuku’s political base has also expanded. After his 2023 campaign, the Labour Party gained more ground in Ogun East and Kuku has been instrumental in building a stronger network of supporters across different demographics from youths, professionals, market women and artisans.
His campaign team says the party’s membership in the region has grown significantly, with a solid structure in place to mobilize voters.
The youthful techpreneur’s involvement in sports and entertainment has also continued. As the chairman of the Association of Football Academy Owners (APFAN), he has played a key role in running APFAN SuperLeague, a platform that connects young Nigerian footballers with international scouts.
His experience in entertainment and business has kept him engaged with youth-driven industries, further strengthening his connection with the people he hopes to represent.
“With the right leadership, Ogun East can be transformed. We need fresh ideas, real policies, and leaders who care about the people. That’s why I’m running again to bring real solutions, not empty promises,” Kuku stated.
With the election period approaching, the hopeful lawmaker is confident that this time, he has the right combination of experience, strategy, and public support to win. He remains critical of the ruling APC’s leadership in Ogun State, arguing that the region has remained stagnant due to poor governance.
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