Diaspora Star | Tade Oyerinde : Redefines Access to Education Through Community-Driven Learning

Tade Oyerinde has emerged as one of the most influential voices shaping the future of education technology in the global diaspora space. As the founder and chancellor of Campus, an online higher-education institution, Oyerinde is challenging long-standing assumptions about who education is for, how it should be delivered, and what outcomes truly matter in a rapidly changing economy.

Speaking at TechCrunch Disrupt alongside fellow startup founder Teddy Solomon, Oyerinde offered rare insight into how intentional community-building has driven Campus’s steady growth and sustained engagement. Rather than chasing scale for its own sake, he has focused on creating an education model that is practical, inclusive, and directly aligned with real-world skills demand, an approach that resonates strongly with first-generation immigrants, working adults, and underserved learners.

Campus currently offers associate degrees in fields such as information technology and business administration, while also providing certificate programmes in specialised areas including cosmetology and phlebotomy. With more than 3,000 enrolled students and over 100 professors working in part-time and flexible teaching roles, the institution has positioned itself as a serious alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar colleges.

One of Campus’s most strategic moves has been the introduction of standalone, skill-focused courses. According to Oyerinde, employers increasingly want targeted training rather than broad academic credentials. These à la carte courses allow companies to upskill their workforce in specific competencies, reflecting a shift in how education intersects with employment in the modern economy.

Oyerinde is direct in his assessment of where learning is headed. He believes continuous upskilling will soon become non-negotiable, with education evolving into a lifelong subscription rather than a one-time experience. In his view, the future will see people of all ages regularly returning to structured learning environments, live, online, and instructor-led, to remain competitive.

Affordability remains central to Campus’s mission. By leveraging Pell Grants, the institution ensures that financial barriers do not exclude students who would otherwise be locked out of higher education. This commitment is reinforced by the company’s investor base, which includes prominent technology leaders such as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Discord co-founder Jason Citron. Their involvement, Oyerinde notes, allows Campus to prioritize long-term systemic impact over short-term profitability.

As a member of the Nigerian diaspora, Oyerinde’s journey carries broader significance. His work reflects a growing trend among diaspora founders who are not only building successful companies abroad but also rethinking broken systems and offering scalable solutions with global relevance. Education, particularly for marginalized communities, sits at the core of his vision.

Today, Tade Oyerinde stands as a compelling example of diaspora excellence, an entrepreneur using technology, policy, and community insight to reshape how education works. His story underscores a powerful lesson: sustainable innovation is not driven solely by growth metrics, but by purpose, accessibility, and the ability to build communities that last.