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Neku Atawodi-Edun

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Neku Atawodi-Edun (born 1987), formerly Uneku Saliu-Atawodi, is a Nigerian polo player,[1] equine sports scientist, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and investor. She is one of the few black female polo players in the world, and the first to play professionally.[2]

Education and early career

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Raised between Nigeria and England, Uneku has played polo internationally for more than ten years. During her time playing in the United States, she was represented by Yvette Noel-Schure. She has played in games in over 22 cities in 14 countries, and won cups in Argentina, India, Ibiza and the USA where she won the Aiken 10 goal in her first year playing. She was a finalist in the WCTA High goal tournament, playing for Catalina diamonds. The WCTA is a tournament organised by late female polo player, Sunny Hale.

She served as the Face of Africa Polo Open for the year 2018.[3] Africa Polo Open, formerly known as Prince of Wales Cup, is, arguably, Africa's grandest polo tournament.[4] It takes place annually, and normally pits South Africa against another African country. South Africa's 2018 opponents were Nigeria.

Uneku received a Bachelor of Science (Hons) Degree in Equine Sports Science at the University of Brighton. She also has a master's degree in International Business from Regent's University London.

Entrepreneurship

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Uneku's entrepreneurship ventures include Malaik, an equity crowdfunding platform for African entrepreneurs,[5] and Bamboo Green Concepts, an investment outfit with a diversified portfolio.[6] Malaik closed its first $300,000 deal within two months of launching. In 2016, Forbes Africa Magazine listed Uneku as one of Forbes Africa's 30 under 30 for, the same year she graced the magazine's cover.[7] Malaik however, suspended its operations after the Securities and Exchange Commission of Nigeria banned some forms of crowdfunding in 2016.[8]

Uneku is also involved in the African tech space.[9]

She also set up Ride to Shine, an organisation that exposes children from disadvantaged homes to opportunities through equestrianism.[10]

Public engagement

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In 2008, Uneku organised the first ever female tournament to be held in West Africa, played at the 5th chukker polo club in Kaduna; it saw women from 8 different nations compete.[11] She also organised the first ever beach polo cup, the Africa Beach Polo Cup, which was  televised in partnership with SuperSport, thus creating awareness about the sport in Africa. In 2013, Uneku was the subject of Trace Sports Stars, a production of Trace Urban that followed her around the world playing polo in different countries to document and share her polo journey.[12]

Besides polo, Uneku was a regular speaker and commentator on technology, startups, and entrepreneurship in Africa. She regularly spoke at Forbes Africa events,[13] and contributed to Techcabal, an Africa-focused technology blog based out of Lagos, and Global Citizen, a development-focused platform.

She represented Nigeria at the World Economic Forum in Davos in 2013.[14]

Awards and honors

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References

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  1. ^ Meet Nigeria's Polo Queen - CNN Video, retrieved 2018-08-08
  2. ^ Mark, Monica (2013-03-14). "The black, female polo player changing perceptions in 'sport of kings'". the Guardian. Retrieved 2018-08-08.
  3. ^ "Neku Atawodi-Edun Is The Face of Africa Polo Open 2018! | BN Style". BN Style. 2018-07-21. Retrieved 2018-08-08.
  4. ^ "Home - Africa Polo Open". Africa Polo Open. Retrieved 2018-08-08.
  5. ^ "Exclusive interview with Uneku Atawodi, CEO and Founder of Africa's first impact focused equity crowd funding portal, Malaik - Ventures Africa". Ventures Africa. 2015-12-03. Retrieved 2018-08-08.
  6. ^ Featherstone, Emma (2018-06-11). "One of Africa's most promising entrepreneurs on changing lives, motherhood and polo". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2018-08-08.
  7. ^ "Forbes Africa on Instagram: "Don't forget to get your issue of Forbes Africa 30 Under 30! On sale now!"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-26. Retrieved 2018-08-08.
  8. ^ "Nigerian startups can't raise money through crowdfunding because of antiquated laws". Quartz Africa. Retrieved 2018-08-08.
  9. ^ "Neku Atawodi has taken the reins at MEST's new Lagos Incubator | TechCabal". TechCabal. 2016-08-02. Retrieved 2018-08-08.
  10. ^ "Teaching polo to Nigerian orphans". BBC News. Retrieved 2018-08-08.
  11. ^ Naija, Bella (2008-05-28). "Bella Naija: RUNDOWN". Bella Naija. Retrieved 2018-08-08.
  12. ^ TRACE Sport Stars (2013-11-14), Polo with Neku: In Ibiza, archived from the original on 2021-12-20, retrieved 2018-08-08
  13. ^ "Forbes Africa on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2018-08-08.
  14. ^ Featherstone, Emma (2018-06-11). "One of Africa's most promising entrepreneurs on changing lives, motherhood and polo". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2018-08-08.
  15. ^ "Lagos Hub". Global Shapers. Retrieved 2018-08-08.
  16. ^ Dolan, Kerry A. "Africa's Most Promising Entrepreneurs: Forbes Africa's 30 Under 30 For 2016". Forbes. Retrieved 2018-08-08.
  17. ^ "2016 All Africa Business Leaders Awards finalists announced - CNBC Africa". CNBC Africa. 2016-08-18. Archived from the original on 2016-08-21. Retrieved 2018-08-08.
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