Dr. Terese Shadrach Akpem is a trailblazer in digital animal health care delivery. Discover the journey, innovations, and impact of a visionary professional dedicated to transformaing animal healthcare through innocation, compassion and cutting-edge solutions. A versatile leader who embodies expertise in social entrepreneurship, agribusiness, digital innovation, strategic doing and youth empowerment, human-centered design thinking, policy formulation, project management, and capaciy building, emerging as a true catalyst for sustainable development on the African continent.

A trailblazer in veterinary medicine.

Discover the journey, innovations, and impact of a visionary vet doctor dedicated to transforming animal healthcare through science, compassion, and cutting-edge solutions.

Meet Dr. Terese Shadrach Akpem

Dr. Akpem Terese Shadrach is a veterinarian, social entrepreneur, thought leader, and change agent with over 8 years of experience in animal health, agriculture, social entrepreneurship, human resource development, digital innovation, and sustainable development.

As the founder of Vet Konect, he blends animal health expertise with digital innovation to build a digital animal health platform that provides livestock farmers and pet owners across Nigeria and other African countries with animal health coverage.

Key specialties
✅ Advanced Animal Healthcare
✅ Innovative Veterinary Solutions
✅ Pet & Livestock Disease Management
✅ Research & Development in Veterinary Medicine

Currently, Dr. Akpem is a candidate for the Presidency of the United States Government Exchange Alumni Association of Nigeria (USGEAAN), where he is championing a bold vision to unify, empower, and create impact across all alumni networks nationwide.

Award & Achievements

With a deep-rooted passion for animal care and an innovative spirit, I’ve dedicated my career to solving some of the toughest challenges in veterinary medicine. From pioneering research to developing practical field solutions, my goal is to improve animal health outcomes and make a meaningful impact in the lives of both animals and their caregivers.

Over the years, I’ve worked across clinical, academic, and community-based settings — always guided by evidence, empathy, and a drive to do better. Whether it’s designing new approaches to disease prevention or collaborating with fellow professionals to strengthen veterinary systems, I believe in pushing boundaries and delivering results that matter.

Pamoja Founders Leadership Program – 2024
1st Runner-Up, AYUTE Africa Challenge – 2024
Mastercard Foundation FAST Fellows Program – 2024
Top Agri-Food Pioneer by World Food Prize Foundation – 2024
2023 Mandela Washington Fellow — 2023
Delegate, Nigeria Youth Future Funds (NYFF) — 2023
Top 5 Finalist, AYUTE Nigeria Innovation Challenge — 2022
2nd Runner-up, Streetwize Entrepreneurship Reality Show — 2021
Winner, VetsArk Innovation Challenge — 2019
Fellow, Young Political Leadership School for Africa (Semester VI) — 2019
Panelist, World Youth Forum — 2018
Hero KickStart Awardee — 2018
ONE Champion — 2018

In the News

News, mentions, and updates about Dr. Terese Shadrach Akpem. Find articles, features, and press coverage about me here.

Terese Akpem’s Vet Konect Mobile-AI Tech for Africa’s $80 Billion Livestock Economy

- SBT Insight

For millions of African livestock farmers, losing an animal isn’t just a financial setback—it’s a threat to their family’s food security, education, and very livelihood.

Vet Konect Elevates Africa’s Animal Health Story at 500 Global x Timbuktoo

- The Sun

Nigerian startup Vet Konect has emerged as one of the standout participants in the prestigious 500 Global x Timbuktoo Pre-Accelerator Program, a joint initiative by 500 Global and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) designed to support Africa’s most promising early-stage ventures.

Nigerian Innovator, Dr Akpem Terese Shadrach Wins $10,000 Global Award In US

- 9japarrot

Nigeria and Africa have recorded another groundbreaking milestone on the global innovation stage as Dr. Akpem Terese Shadrach, founder of Vet Konect, emerged as Second Place Winner at the Inaugural World Food Prize Foundation’s Innovate for Impact Challenge Finals held in Des Moines, Iowa, USA.

How Vet Konect is Shaping the Future of Animal Care in Africa through the Champions Program

- Daily Asset

Across Africa, more than 600 million people depend on livestock for food and income. Yet in many villages, animal health professionals are scarce, unaffordable, or absent altogether — leaving farmers to fend for themselves.

How Vet Konect is shaping future of Animal care in Africa

- Blue Print

How Vet Konect is shaping the future of animal care in Africa through Champions Program

- The Sun

Nigeria’s Dr. Akpem Terese Shadrach Emerges Finalist At Global Innovate For Impact Challenge

- 9japarrot

Nigeria has once again taken the global stage as Dr. Akpem Terese Shadrach, a young innovator and veterinarian from Benue State, emerged as one of the Top Three Finalists in the Innovate for Impact Challenge organized by the World Food Prize Foundation.

Vet Konect powers first ever livestock summit in Benue State

- Feed Business Mea

Organized by Vet Konect Ltd in collaboration with the Poultry Association of Nigeria (Benue State Chapter) and the Association of Private Veterinary Practitioners, the event is backed by the Benue State Government through the Bureau of Livestock Development and Transboundary Animal Diseases Control.

Nigerian agri-tech start-up, among World Food Prize finalists

- Political Economist NG

A Nigerian agri-tech start-up, Vet Konect Ltd has emerged as one of the three finalists for the inaugural World Food Prize ‘Innovate for Impact Challenge’ competition.A Nigerian agri-tech start-up, Vet Konect Ltd has emerged as one of the three finalists for the inaugural World Food Prize ‘Innovate for Impact Challenge’ competition.

Nigeria Vet konect showcases AI-driven animal care solution on global stage

- Ashe News Daily

A Nigerian agri-tech start-up, Vet Konect Ltd, has emerged as one of three finalists in the inaugural World Food Prize ‘Innovate for Impact Challenge

APOLO Biotech, Capsber Agriscience, and Vet Konect Named Finalists in World Food Prize Foundation’s Innovate for Impact Challenge

- Global Agriculture

The World Food Prize Foundation has revealed the three finalists for its first-ever Innovate for Impact Challenge: APOLO Biotech of Argentina, Capsber Agriscience of India, and Vet Konect of Nigeria.

Food Security: AYuTe Africa Awards $40,000 Grant to Boost Agric-tech Innovations

- This Day

AYuTe Africa Challenge in Nigeria, has awarded $40,000 grants to three young agric-tech innovators to develop technologies that would improve farming methods and food production in the country.

Top 5 Finalists Announced for AYuTe Africa Challenge Nigeria 2024; Grand Finale Set for June 27th

- The Condia

Heifer International Nigeria is pleased to announce the top 5 finalists of the AYuTe Africa Challenge Nigeria 2024, an enterprise development program designed to identify, nurture, and support innovative, technology-driven agric-centric enterprises in Nigeria

Project I2M Congratulates Terese of Vetkonect as one of their 2023 startup grant winner

- LinkedIn

Terese Akpem of Vet Konect, One of the 20 startup grant winners at the Project I2M accelerated incubator program, funded through The RISA Fund! Keep winning, keep innovating!

Nigerian agri-tech start-up Vet Konect makes World Food Prize finalists list

- Premium Times

Nigerian agri-tech start-up, Vet Konect, which links livestock farmers directly to animal health professionals, has emerged as one of the three finalists in the inaugural World Food Prize ‘Innovate for Impact Challenge’ competition.

Dr. Akpem for USGEAAN President – 2025

Igniting Our Collective Impact: Uniting, Empowering, and Transforming USGEAAN Together.

My 3-Pillar Manifesto Strategy

Connect: Build inclusive networks and mentorship systems.
Empower: Offer growth opportunities, funding, and welfare support.
Impact: Launch collaborative development projects and amplify alumni voices.

🧩 Together, we will transform USGEAAN into a dynamic force for national progress, collaboration, and positive change.