When you first meet Oluwaleke “Leke” Fakorede, you see an engineer whose calm presence belies an extraordinary journey, one shaped by resilience, vision, and an unrelenting drive to build something bigger than himself.
Today, as Co‑Founder and CTO of GoWagr, Leke is leading a platform that empowers users to engage in prediction markets on real‑world events, from sports to politics, with hundreds of thousands of users already onboard. But it wasn’t always clear that he would be building this from the United States.
The Turning Point: Life in Nigeria and a Near‑Death Accident
In July 2022, an event that could have ended everything instead became the catalyst for change. Leke was riding his beloved superbike through Osogbo when a sudden collision with a car sent him crashing to the ground. What followed was more than physical injuries, it was an encounter with an environment where justice and safety felt fragile. Officers at the scene threatened him, and further interactions with police left him shaken and frustrated. In the aftermath of recovery, Leke faced a hard truth: the freedom of movement he had taken for granted wasn’t guaranteed in his home country. The experience ignited a desire to seek opportunities abroad.
Before that moment, Leke had already built an impressive tech career. After training with Andela, he worked at several high‑profile Nigerian and global companies, including Terragon, Binance, Nestcoin, and Yellow Card. But a remote role with Insomnia Labs, a US‑based venture studio, gave him his first real glimpse of what working more closely with global teams could mean for his future.
Starting GoWagr and Early Frustrations
Alongside friends Daniel Oladepo and Michael Okoko, Leke began experimenting with prediction markets during Nigeria’s 2023 elections, first with a simple spreadsheet and later evolving it into a full‑fledged product. That became GoWagr, a platform that resonates with young people across Nigeria and beyond.
Despite momentum, Leke still faced a dilemma: how could he build and scale GoWagr globally from Nigeria? For him, the answer lay in being physically present in markets where regulatory clarity, investor confidence, and strategic growth could accelerate the platform’s impact.
Visa Hurdles Before Agora Visa
Leke’s first attempt to move permanently to the U.S. was through an H‑1B visa, a specialty occupation work permit that depends on a lottery and protracted processing. He experienced firsthand how unpredictable and stressful this path could be:
- Waiting months for the lottery result
- Navigating embassy administrative processing that stretched far beyond expectations
- Finally boarding a plane in early 2024 only after the visa was issued, marking a new chapter of hope and challenge abroad
Though the H‑1B brought him to the U.S., it wasn’t the long‑term flexibility he needed to fully commit to GoWagr. What Leke really sought was a way to focus squarely on his startup, free from the constraints of employer‑tied visas, and that’s where the O‑1 visa became a possibility.
Where Agora Visa Came In
After an initial engagement with another provider stalled progression toward the O‑1 process, Leke connected with Agora Visa. Unlike earlier attempts, this time the focus was not just on filing documents, it was on telling his story in a way immigration authorities could see clearly:
- Highlighting the extraordinary ability he demonstrated through GoWagr’s traction and his leadership roles
- Framing his work in the context of global tech innovation
- Preparing compelling evidence that showcased not just technical achievement, but impact and influence
The result?
Leke’s O-1A visa was approved, giving him the freedom to concentrate fully on scaling GoWagr to serve users around the world.
The O‑1 visa is reserved for individuals with extraordinary ability, those whose work has made a significant and demonstrable impact in their field. For Leke, whose contributions span building high‑impact products, leading teams, and cultivating a global tech presence, this path aligned with his long‑term vision.
A Fourth of July to Remember
On July 4, 2025, Leke shared the news with joy that echoed far beyond his personal network:
🇺🇸 “Fourth of July and I am excited to announce that my O1A was approved. This allows me to focus squarely on scaling @GoWagr to a million users globally together with our amazing team. Huge thank you to @AgoraVisa for helping throughout the journey!! GOD BLESS AMERICA! 🇺🇸🦅”
What This Means for GoWagr and Beyond
With his O‑1 status, Leke now has the flexibility to:
- Focus on scaling GoWagr without employer sponsorship restrictions
- Connect more directly with global investors and partners
- Continue bridging worlds, championing innovation from Africa while tapping into the U.S. ecosystem
His story, rooted in early frustrations and transformed through persistence, illustrates how vision can meet the right kind of support at the right time.
Leke’s journey reminds us that talent, determination, and persistence matter—but so does having the right guidance to navigate unfamiliar systems. His story illustrates:
- How resilience turns challenges into opportunities
- The importance of clarity when presenting your achievements
- That global ambitions are attainable with careful planning and support
Leke is now fully focused on scaling GoWagr, connecting with global users, and continuing to innovate in ways that impact the world. His story is a reminder that with the right mindset—and the right support, what seems like a distant dream can become reality.
Ready to Write Your Own Success Story?
At Agora Visa, we guide professionals and founders every step of the way, from evaluating eligibility to securing visas that unlock career and business potential abroad.
Whether you’re aiming for an O-1, EB-1, H-1B, or other visa categories, we’re here to help you plan and succeed.
