Nigerian-born educator, Oluwatoyin Kode is transforming education for African immigrant children in the United States while introducing digital skills to youths in rural Nigerian communities.
Through her organisation, STEM Prep Tutoring, Kode has become a prominent advocate for global education equity.
Founded in 2019 with her husband, Adeolu Kode, the initiative helps newly arrived African students overcome learning gaps caused by differences in curriculum, teaching methods, and academic culture.
While speaking, Kode said the programme has served over 820 students across several U.S. states, achieving measurable results.
“Students have recorded an average of 28 per cent improvement in Mathematics and English within three months, with seven out of 10 previously underperforming students now meeting or exceeding grade-level standards. In test preparation, students have gained SAT score improvements of 180 to 360 points, with several earning placements at top-tier U.S. universities,” she stated.
Beyond academics, STEM Prep Tutoring provides training in coding, robotics, web development, AI fundamentals, and digital literacy, equipping students for competitive STEM careers.
Parents have praised the programme’s cultural sensitivity and understanding of Nigerian expectations.
The organisation’s work has drawn international attention, including a feature by AP News, which described it as a model for equitable STEM empowerment for minority communities.
In 2024, Kode expanded the initiative to Nigeria through the Eruwa Digital Skills Programme, sponsoring 25 secondary school students in Oyo State to learn coding, computer literacy, data handling, and responsible technology use.
“Many participants had never interacted with a laptop beyond basic tasks before the programme. Local leaders commended the initiative as a rare opportunity to prepare rural youth for global competitiveness,” she said.
Kode said STEM Prep Tutoring plans to replicate the programme in more Nigerian communities, launch a global digital learning academy, expand scholarship support for African immigrant students, and partner with schools to enhance STEM education.
“We are raising a generation that must compete globally,” she said, noting the importance of early and inclusive access to education as Nigeria’s youth population continues to grow.
