•BANKE OKI-BALOGUN Explains
What inspired you to launch Naijatutors, and what problem did you aim to solve in the education sector?
During the COVID-19 lockdown, my daughter, like many other children, needed academic support, but in-person tutoring was no longer an option. Many of my friends were also searching for online tutors to keep their children engaged and learning while avoiding unnecessary exposure. With my background in education and my parents owning a school, I instinctively turned to the tutors from my family’s school—not just for my daughter, but for my friends as well.
What started as a simple solution quickly became an eye-opening experience. I was reminded of just how incredibly skilled Nigerian tutors are—their depth of knowledge, structured approach, discipline, and ability to drive academic performance were unmatched. My friends were thrilled with the results, and that moment became a turning point for me. My years-long passion and higher education preparation met with my opportunity.
I soon realized that, like me, parents were looking for engaging, disciplined, and results-driven educators who could provide structured learning, assign meaningful homework, and track student progress. Simultaneously, they wanted greater convenience and affordability—a virtual solution that eliminated long commutes, reduced costs, and provided personalized attention for their children.
That realization led to Naijatutors, an edtech platform designed to connect exceptional Nigerian tutors with students worldwide. Through Naijatutors, students receive high-quality, culturally relevant academic support, while Nigerian educators have gained access to international teaching opportunities, proving that Nigeria is not just a consumer of education but a global producer of top-tier teaching talent.
Can you walk us through your process for developing and refining your edtech platform?
Building an edtech platform requires a deep understanding of parents’ needs, students’ learning gaps, and educators’ challenges, while also integrating technology that enhances learning. But if I’m being honest, Naijatutors wasn’t born from a meticulously planned blueprint.
I didn’t start with an extensive business plan or a well-mapped-out tech strategy, and I paid dearly for it. I made countless mistakes along the way, spending a fortune testing different tools in search of the perfect one that would meet all our needs. It took me three years to find the right technology that truly worked for our platform.
Refining Naijatutors has been a long, rigorous process—one that required me to work round the clock to improve our offerings, making constant adjustments. From choosing the right tools to building a solid team and creating structured processes to a standard all of us can be proud of.
Initially, I focused on getting the platform off the ground and serving the growing number of parents who needed quality tutoring for their children. Over time, feedback became critical. Listening to parents and tutors helped us refine the platform, enhance the learning experience, and introduce better tools and processes. Tutor training also became a top priority as I realized that beyond matching students with great teachers, we needed to equip our tutors with global teaching strategies so they could meet international standards and adapt to diverse curricula.
Scalability was always something that challenged us. As demand grew, I knew we had to build for the future, ensuring that our technology, tutor base, and operational structure could handle growth while maintaining quality and personalization. Every decision we made was about creating a sustainable system that would allow Naijatutors to expand without losing the essence of what makes it successful.
Even with all the progress we’ve made, we are still learning and evolving every day. We continue to research, adapt, and update ourselves to ensure we remain at the forefront of global virtual education.
How do you stay ahead of the curve in terms of Innovation and Trends in virtual education?
Staying ahead in virtual education requires constant research, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous improvement. The education landscape is always evolving, and I’ve learned that what worked yesterday may not be enough tomorrow.
I dedicate time to studying global education trends, technological advancements, and evolving best practices in online learning. This includes keeping up with emerging edtech tools, AI-driven learning enhancements, curriculum changes, and student engagement strategies. I closely follow what leading global education platforms are doing while ensuring that our solutions remain tailored to the unique needs of parents and students, particularly in the diaspora.
A big part of staying ahead is listening to feedback—both from parents and tutors. Every update we make to Naijatutors is driven by real experiences, real challenges, and real solutions. When we first started, our primary focus was on core subjects like Mathematics and English, but over time, we have evolved to meet the changing needs of students. Today, we teach handwriting online, support children with special needs virtually, and have even introduced Data Analysis for kids. This evolution is a direct result of continuous learning and adapting to what students and parents truly need.
While we haven’t done as much as we would like in terms of networking and collaboration, it is something we are actively working on. We recognize the value of learning from other edtech founders, educators, and industry experts, as well as engaging in education panels, training programs, and international discussions to stay at the forefront of online education.
Ultimately, staying ahead is not about chasing trends but about identifying what truly improves learning outcomes. By remaining curious, open to change, and dedicated to innovation, I ensure that Naijatutors continues to set the standard for virtual education, providing world-class learning experiences for students while creating global opportunities for Nigerian educators.
7. As a mentor and advocate for women in business and education, what values or principles do you emphasize when guiding others?
I emphasize persistence, resilience, feedback-driven learning, and an open mind—all of which have shaped my journey.
Persistence is key; challenges will come, but pushing through them is what leads to solutions. It took me three years to find the right technology for Naijatutors, but I kept going. Resilience is just as important—setbacks will happen, like parents withdrawing their children from our platform. But rather than being discouraged, I focus on the many who are thriving with our support.
Feedback is a gift, even when it’s painful. I take every piece of criticism seriously, knowing that growth comes from listening, adapting, and improving, not avoiding hard truths. Keeping an open mind has also been crucial. Trying new ideas, systems, and strategies without fear has allowed Naijatutors to evolve into what it is today.
These values shape how I mentor others, and my message is always the same: stay persistent, embrace feedback, and keep pushing forward—because success belongs to those who learn, adapt, and refuse to give up.
How do you approach leadership, and what qualities do you believe are essential for effective leadership in education and entrepreneurship?
My leadership style is a blend of high expectations, strong communication, and empathy. I believe in leading by example, holding myself to the same high standards I expect from my team. Excellence isn’t optional—it’s the foundation of everything I strive for with Naijatutors. I’m hands-on, deeply involved from strategy to execution, and I make it a point to teach my team through the process, ensuring they grow as we build.
I won’t sugarcoat it—I’m a tough leader. I push hard because I know people are capable of more than they often realize. I drive my team relentlessly, not because I doubt them, but because I believe in stretching limits and unlocking potential. At times, I worry about pushing too hard, especially with a younger generation that approaches work differently. But I also know that greatness isn’t built in comfort—it comes from being challenged.
That said, I lead with empathy. I listen, I read the room, and I make sure my team feels valued, even as I push them beyond what they think they can do.
For me, leadership is about setting the bar high, creating a culture of trust, and building people up while challenging them to grow every day.
Can you share an experience where you had to overcome a significant challenge or setback, and how you learned from it?
One of the biggest setbacks I’ve faced was when my PhD dreams fell through. In April 2018, after writing 18 research papers to various universities, I won a £120K PhD scholarship from Queen Mary University of London—one of my greatest academic achievements.
I was set to pursue my doctorate in education, which would have been my biggest academic milestone. But then, I ran into Visa processing issues, and it became clear that I wouldn’t be able to relocate to the UK for my PhD. It was a crushing moment.
However, I have always lived by a simple philosophy: have a Plan A, B, C, and even D. Some call it oversabi, I call it being ready for when opportunity shows up. So while applying for my PhD with the intention of staying on in the UK, I had also applied for Canadian permanent residency. Just a month after suffering the PhD setback, in May 2018, my Canadian PR came through. That was my turning point. If my PhD had worked out, I probably would never have moved to Canada, and without that move, maybe Naijatutors Konnect would never have existed.
The biggest lesson? Never put all your eggs in one basket, and always trust God’s plan. What feels like a setback is often a redirection to something bigger. My Master’s in the UK gave me the points I needed for Canada, and Canada gave me the foundation to build my business.
Preparation is about positioning yourself for the best possible outcome, no matter what life throws at you.
