Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji is a Nigerian entrepreneur transforming education and technology across Nigeria with Rise Networks and Passnownow ventures. Through these initiatives, the businesswoman is reshaping how Nigerian youth engage with education and creating avenues for empowerment and social impact throughout the continent.
Rise Networks
Founded in 2007, Rise Networks is a platform that empowers young people with the skills, mentorship, and resources essential for success in the digital world. The platform provides a range of programmes, including leadership summits, mentorship initiatives, and educational workshops, all designed to prepare young Nigerians for triumph in the workplace and society.
Through Rise Networks, Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji has spearheaded several notable initiatives that have impacted thousands of young people. One of the standout features of Rise Networks is its capacity to leverage technology to address some of the continent’s most pressing issues, including access to career guidance.
The technopreneur and her team recognised that many young people across Africa lack the necessary support and guidance to make informed career decisions. In response, they developed an innovative solution called the Career Coaching Chatbot, the first of its kind in West Africa. This tool provides users with tailored advice, resources, and support, helping them make informed career choices and navigate the job market effectively.
In 2018, Rise Networks partnered with the Lagos State Government to empower youth-led micro and small enterprises in the state. This collaboration was part of the Lagos Youth Week, commemorating the United Nations International Youth Day.
A grant of ₦50,000 (about $31) was awarded to 100 micro-business operators, totaling ₦5 million ($3,000) in support funding. These beneficiaries were selected from all 20 local government areas in Lagos State, ensuring widespread impact. The programme aimed to bolster grassroots entrepreneurship by providing young business owners with the financial support to scale their operations.
Passnownow
Passnownow is an innovative e-learning platform designed and launched in 2012 to bridge the educational gap for Nigerian students. The platform allows students from junior secondary school 1 (JSS1) to senior secondary school 3 (SS3) to access various academic resources. These include notes, video tutorials, quizzes, and practice exams tailored to the country’s curriculum.
To access the site, students can enroll for a fee as low as N300 ($0.19). By focusing on simplifying learning and making it more interactive, Passnownow has become one of the leading e-learning platforms in Africa. They have cultivated an active community of over 6,000 members, fostering peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.
“Passnownow.com has been of tremendous assistance to me in terms of my lesson notes and delivery in the classroom. I am so pleased.”~Student review
Through Passnownow, Akerele-Ogunsiji has championed integrating technology into the educational system, enabling students to learn at their own pace and on their terms. Additionally, they maintain a dedicated section on their website where they share details about available scholarships and competitions from reputable organisations.
Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji has received several awards for empowering young people through education and technology, including being listed among Africa’s top 100 most influential people in the technology and education sectors.
