About Us — IALE Academy

Our story

Built in Africa, for Africa.

IALE Institute began in South Africa as a capability enhancement consultancy, working with mines, government departments, municipalities, SETAs and schools to develop people and improve organisational performance.

As artificial intelligence moved from research labs into daily work, we moved with it — becoming one of Africa's leading AI transformation practices. Today we design AI strategies, build custom AI systems and deliver accredited AI skills training, with more than 1,500 professionals trained and 25+ client organisations served.

Our Lagos office at Parkview Estate, Ikoyi extends this work to Nigeria and West Africa — led by people who understand the region, backed by a delivery record built over nearly two decades.

Leadership

IALE Academy Nigeria is led by Dr Ife Adeleke, working alongside Dr Allen Mutono of IALE Institute South Africa.

Dr Ife Adeleke

Founder & Chief Executive Officer — IALE Academy Nigeria

Dr Ife Jesuseun Adeleke is an education innovator, AI literacy strategist, researcher and learning transformation expert, and Founder & CEO of IALE Academy Nigeria — a sister company to IALE Institute South Africa. With over a decade in higher education, teacher development and educational leadership, she helps individuals and organisations navigate digital transformation with confidence, focusing on adaptive teaching, instructional innovation, AI governance and the ethical adoption of emerging technologies.

She holds a Doctor of Education (PhD) in Adaptive Teaching Practices from Tshwane University of Technology, a Master's in Educational Studies, an Honours degree in Education from the University of the Witwatersrand and a Bachelor's in Economics Education. An international speaker and learning strategist, she works with schools, universities, government agencies, NGOs and corporates to build AI capability and future-ready talent. Her conviction: the future belongs to adaptive people and adaptive organisations.

ife@ialeacademy.com

Dr Allen Mutono

Chief Executive — IALE Institute (South Africa)

Dr Allen Mutono is the Chief Executive of IALE Institute and a technology entrepreneurship practitioner with a 25-year career spanning technology development, innovation management, skills development and enterprise development. He holds a PhD in Technology & Innovation from The Da Vinci Institute, a Master of Science in the same field (cum laude), and a BA Honours in Sociology from Makerere University — and is the author of The AI Toolkit: A Non-Technical Guide for Using AI at Work.

His clients have included South African provincial and local government institutions, ICASA, MICT SETA, AfriSam, the South African National AIDS Council and the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory. In 2021 the Department of Basic Education appointed him to lead the evaluation of South Africa's national Robotics & Programming Curriculum, and he was a TT100 finalist for the Science & Technology Minister's Award for Technology Excellence. His conviction is simple: AI supports, humans decide — and Africa builds.

Advisory Board

Global expertise in education, technology and artificial intelligence, guiding IALE Academy's mission across Africa.

Prof Thelma de Jager

Education & Inclusive Pedagogy

An internationally respected education scholar, teacher educator and researcher with deep expertise in inclusive education, adaptive teaching, student-centred learning and educational technology. Her work champions reflective practice, critical thinking and the meaningful integration of technology to improve learning outcomes — bringing global expertise in innovative pedagogy and teacher development to the board.

Onikepo Amodu

Artificial Intelligence & Research

An AI researcher, computing lecturer and technology educator with over a decade across academia and industry, spanning AI, machine learning, cybersecurity and computer networking. She holds a Master's in Applied Artificial Intelligence from Teesside University and has published internationally on deep learning, AI for learners with additional needs and digital risk profiling. A strong advocate for responsible AI and inclusive STEM education.

Dele Oyedepo

Technology & Digital Transformation

A technology strategist and digital transformation leader with nearly two decades helping organisations use technology to drive innovation and sustainable growth. Holding degrees in Management Information Systems, an MBA and Information Systems (Software Engineering), he focuses on applying AI to automate workflows and improve decision-making — advising the board on AI adoption, governance and change management.

What we believe

Five principles filter every recommendation we make. Tap each one.

If a recommendation cannot be acted on by Monday morning in a real African workplace, it is not ready. Every strategy, training plan and system we deliver must pass this test. No exceptions.

Africa is a builder, innovator and leader in AI — not a market waiting for imported solutions. Lagos before London. Johannesburg before New York. African examples lead in everything we produce.

"I am because we are." Technology exists to uplift communities, not just individuals. Our solutions weigh collective benefit, cultural context and equitable access — AI that serves people, never the other way round.

AI supports. Humans decide. We build for superagency — AI that amplifies human capability rather than replacing it. Final decisions always rest with people.

Claims require substantiation. We ground our work in current research and proven industry results. If the evidence does not exist, we say so. Bold, but proven — that is our kind of innovation.

Designed for African realities

Solutions that only work with perfect internet and unlimited power are not solutions for our clients.

Infrastructure-aware

We plan around data costs, power interruptions and device diversity — from head office laptops to field-team phones.

Financially framed

Every recommendation answers two questions: what does it cost, and what does it return? Expect clear budgets, phased rollouts and measurable ROI.

Accredited & accountable

IALE Institute (PTY) LTD is QCTO-accredited in South Africa for skills development, with formal engagement processes on every project.

Practical AI.
People at the centre.