Diaspora Star | Eyitayo Ogunmola : Empowering Africa Through Tech Education

In the sprawling diaspora of African talent making waves globally, few stories are as compelling and transformative as that of Eyitayo Ogunmola. A tech entrepreneur, international speaker, and impact leader, Eyitayo represents the best of what Africa has to offer the world: resilience, innovation, and a burning desire to lift others as he climbs.

Born on July 25, 1988, in Lagos, Nigeria, Eyitayo Ogunmola’s journey is a testament to grit and reinvention. After earning a degree in Physiology from the University of Ilorin in 2010, Eyitayo, like many Nigerian graduates, struggled to find employment. Two years of joblessness weren’t wasted, however they sparked a sense of purpose.

Rather than succumb to disillusionment, Eyitayo asked a bigger question: What can I do to change this narrative—for myself and for others? This mindset laid the foundation for what would become Utiva, a global edtech company empowering thousands of Africans with in-demand technology skills.

In 2018, Eyitayo launched Utiva to close Africa’s digital skills gap and prepare young people for the global workforce. Headquartered in Lagos but globally focused, the company has trained over 45,000 Africans across disciplines like data science, product management, cloud computing, and web development.

Utiva’s mission is rooted in accessibility: helping Africans especially those in underrepresented communities gain skills that translate directly into employment and entrepreneurship opportunities. It’s not just about coding. It’s about economic mobility, self-reliance, and rewriting Africa’s narrative.

Eyitayo's work has drawn global acclaim. He has received fellowships and awards from prestigious institutions including:

• UK Global Talent Visa Recipient (2021)

• MIT Solver Team Member (2020) for his innovation "The Nucleus"—a learning solution designed for rural, internet-poor communities.

• Chevening Scholar at Edinburgh Business School, where he earned a Master’s in Strategy, Leadership, and Change.

• Halcyon Incubator Fellow (USA)

• Facebook Community Leadership Program Member

• Japan International Cooperation Agency Entrepreneur in Residence (2020)

The Nucleus project, funded by the HP Foundation, trained over 100 women and girls in rural Kenya, demonstrating how technology can bridge both gender and geographic gaps in education.

In 2023, Eyitayo doubled down on grassroots empowerment with the EyiEko Project. This initiative aims to train 10,000 young Nigerians in tech skills and provide 5,000 widows with microfinance support, tackling both youth unemployment and economic vulnerability in Nigerian communities.

Now based between Nigeria and the United States, Eyitayo continues to speak on global stages about digital inclusion, African innovation, and the urgent need for scalable solutions to Africa’s education crisis. Whether addressing audiences in Washington, Tokyo, or Nairobi, his message is clear: Africa’s greatest export is its people when given the right tools.

In a world that often sidelines African voices in tech and innovation, Eyitayo Ogunmola is a powerful counter-narrative an unapologetic advocate for inclusive development, an architect of opportunity, and a shining Diaspora Star reshaping the future, one learner at a time.