Tunde
Adegbola
Nigerian polymath pioneering the digital transformation of African languages through technology, research, and cultural advocacy.
About
Born on 1 August 1955 at Shagamu, in the then Western Region of Nigeria, Tunde Adegbola is a consulting engineer, scientist, musician, linguist and culture activist who has dedicated his life to integrating modern technology with African heritage.
With degrees in electrical engineering and computer science, and a PhD in information science specialising in human language technology, he has spent over four decades at the intersection of language, technology and culture.
As founder and executive director of Alt-i (African Languages Technology Initiative), he has pioneered the development of speech recognition, text-to-speech synthesis, and machine translation technologies for African languages, making digital technology accessible to millions.
Language Technology
- • Speech recognition for Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa
- • Localisation of Microsoft Windows and Office Suite
- • Yoruba keyboard development
- • Text-to-speech synthesis
- • Computational morphology induction of Yoruba
Broadcasting & Media Projects
- • Africa Independent Television (AIT)
- • Channels Television
- • West Africa Democracy Radio, Senegal
- • Radio stations in Angolares and Neves, São Tomé and Príncipe
Featured Work
Pioneering technologies and initiatives that bridge the digital divide for African languages
Alt-i
Founded in 2002, the African Languages Technology Initiative develops resources to facilitate ICT engagement in African languages, addressing technology as a factor in language preservation.
Visit Alt-i.orgTIWA Systems
Established in 1985, pioneering digital technology in Nigeria. Introduced desktop publishing and computerised stock control to Nigerian publishing houses from 1985.
Broadcasting Innovation
Introduced nonlinear video editing and virtual sets to Nigerian television stations, and designed broadcast systems for major media houses across West Africa.
Yoruba Keyboard
Award-winning tone-aware keyboard layout that addresses the unique orthographic needs of Yoruba, making it easier to type diacritical marks and tones.
Gallery
Four decades of talks, recordings, conversations and published work, gathered in one place.
Talks, lectures and documentary appearances.
Education — development or title?
A TEDx talk asking whether Nigerian education delivers real development, or merely confers credentials and titles.
Yoruba Culture as a Culture of Intellection
A lecture arguing that Yoruba culture is fundamentally intellectual, spanning language, cognition and indigenous knowledge systems.
The Mathematics of Ifá
On the binary mathematical structure underlying Ifá divination, and what it shares with modern computing.
The Mathematics of Ifá, Part 2
The second part of the lecture, tracing how Boolean algebra is prefigured in the logic of Ifá.
Ifá Divination and Mathematics (full lecture)
The full-length lecture on Ifá divination and mathematics, hosted by the filmmaker Tunde Kelani.
Invite T.A
Tunde Adegbola speaks on language technology, artificial intelligence, digital transformation and African cultural preservation — at conferences, universities and policy forums worldwide.
TEDx Talks & Conferences
A regular speaker at technology and cultural preservation events across Africa and beyond.
Academic Lectures
Teaching artificial intelligence at the University of Lagos, the University of Ibadan, and Afe Babalola University.
UNESCO & Pan-African Forums
Advocating for indigenous languages and digital inclusion at international policy forums.
Send an invitation
Tell us about your event and we will get back to you.
Connect
Interested in collaboration, speaking engagements, or learning more about African language technology and cultural preservation?