That motivation showed up in moments both big and small, in encouragement, in understanding, and in creating an environment where she could keep going even when the pressure felt overwhelming. “That kind of support stays with you. It shapes you.” Alongside this, the University itself stepped in at a critical moment. She was awarded a scholarship, reinforcing her belief that she was exactly where she needed to be. “I always say UJ saw me,” she says. “They saw my potential and they invested in it. That made all the difference. I will always be thankful to Prof Hennie Strydom” Her research, grounded in the principles of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, focused on the right to development being relevant for Africa’s digital future. It is a concept that remains central to her work today, particularly as Africa navigates the complexities of the digital era. In the years since, her influence has grown far beyond academia. She now serves as Vice-Chair of the African Union Cyber Security Expert Group, contributing to some of the most important conversations shaping cybersecurity and cyber governance on the continent and globally. “I’ve had the privilege of being part of negotiations at the United Nations and contributing to the development of frameworks around cybercrime and ICTs security. I was invited to address the UN Security Council in 2024,” she says. “It’s work that carries responsibility, because these decisions shape how societies function in the digital space.” The progress, she notes, has been significant. When she first entered the field, only a handful of African countries had formal cybercrime legislation. Today, that landscape looks very different, with growing adoption of frameworks, such as the Malabo Convention and an increasing number of national cybersecurity strategies. “We’ve made real strides,” she says. “But the work is not finished. Legislation is one thing, implementation is another. We need stronger infrastructure, stronger systems. Cyber resilience must become a priority.” Alongside her policy work, she continues to contribute to scholarship that reflects the lived realities of Africans. Her recent book, Women and Cyber Rights in Africa, co-edited with Sebo Tladi, brings an important and often overlooked perspective into focus. For her, the work is never just about law. It is about people. It is about access, dignity and the ability to participate fully in a rapidly changing world. To students who aspire to walk the path she did, her message is simple, but it carries weight. “Make the most of every opportunity,” she says. “Go beyond your expectations, challenge yourself but surprise yourself. If you had said to yourself, you wanted one degree, make it two. Think about what the future of society will be so that your legal education will adapt to a changing digital society.” There is something deeply inspiring about the way Professor Ifeanyi-Ajufo holds both ambition and purpose in the same breath. She is not only shaping conversations in cybersecurity and cyber governance but also helping to define what Africa’s digital future can look like. And perhaps that is what makes her story resonate so powerfully, especially for a South African reader. It is a story of coming home to make an impact, of being lifted by others along the way, and of never forgetting those who made the journey possible. From lecture halls in Johannesburg to global policy platforms, her work carries a clear message: Africa’s place in the digital world is not on the margins, but at the centre.
“What struck me was how powerful the internet was becoming,” she says. “I was using it to research human rights issues across African countries, and that information was feeding into real policy work. That’s when I realised this space mattered.” That moment would shape everything that followed. At a time when digital access was still seen as a luxury in many parts of the world, she began asking a different question. What if access to technology was not optional, but a right? “I argued, even back then, that access to ICTs should be regarded as a human right,” she says. “At the time, people thought it sounded unrealistic, even naive. But I believed it.” History would catch up. By 2009, global figures, such as Kofi Annan, were beginning to echo similar sentiments about the role of technology in human rights and development. For Professor Ifeanyi-Ajufo, it was a quiet affirmation that she was on the right path. Her academic journey took her across borders, teaching in Nigeria and Ghana, and engaging with institutions around the world. Yet, when it came time to pursue her doctoral studies, her decision was deeply intentional. She chose Africa. “I could have stayed in the UK where I studied for my LLM International Information Technology Law, but I wanted my research to have meaning where it was needed most,” she explains. “When I looked at the data, the digital gap was most significant in Africa. I knew I needed to come back home.” That decision led her to the University of Johannesburg, a place she still speaks about with warmth and gratitude. It was not just the academic offering that drew her in, but the people who made the experience deeply human. “There was something about UJ that felt different,” she says. “It was the way I was received. I felt seen, I felt welcomed.” Under the guidance of respected scholars, such as Professor Hennie Strydom, she found the intellectual space to grow. But it was the unwavering support behind the scenes that would leave a lasting mark on her journey. She speaks with particular emotion about Phaladi Magongoa, who is Head of Faculty Administration and was at the Law School at the time. “I can’t tell my story without her,” she says. “At that stage, I had two very young children, and I was navigating a demanding academic journey. She supported and motivated me in ways
that went beyond administration from the day I reached out to make enquiries about UJ.”
40
ALUMNI IMPUMELELO
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online