…expands digital skills training to rural Nigeria

By Elizabeth Osayande

Nigerian-born educator Oluwatoyin Kode is transforming the academic outcomes of African immigrant students in the United States while expanding access to digital skills education for underserved youth in Nigeria.

Kode co-founded STEM Prep Tutoring in 2019 with her husband, Adeolu Kode, in response to a growing challenge faced by African immigrant families in the U.S. Education researchers estimate that over 65 per cent of newly arrived African students experience academic regression due to differences in teaching styles, curriculum structure, assessment methods, and the heavy reliance on digital learning tools in American classrooms.

Kode identified the lack of culturally responsive academic support and early exposure to digital skills as a critical gap contributing to the problem.

Since its launch, STEM Prep Tutoring has grown from a small tutoring initiative into a multi-state academic support organisation, serving over 820 students across the United States. The organisation reports an average 28 per cent improvement in Math and English Language Arts performance within three months of enrollment. Several students who initially tested below grade level have progressed to grade-level mastery, while its standardised test preparation programmes have helped students achieve notable SAT score improvements and gain admission into competitive U.S. universities.

Beyond core academics, STEM Prep Tutoring places strong emphasis on STEM education and digital literacy. Students receive hands-on training in coding, robotics, web development, and technology fundamentals. According to programme data, some middle-school participants have successfully built their first mobile applications and websites, reflecting early engagement with future-ready skills.

In 2024, Kode expanded her impact to Nigeria by sponsoring a digital skills training program for secondary school students in Eruwa, Oyo State. The initiative provided practical instruction in basic coding, computer operations, and digital literacy, targeting students with limited access to technology-based education.

The program aligns with Kode’s broader mission of bridging the digital divide and preparing African youth for participation in the global digital economy.

Kode’s work has earned recognition within immigrant education and community development circles, where she is acknowledged for advancing culturally responsive teaching and diaspora-led educational development. Parents and educators consistently cite her ability to integrate African educational values with the demands of Western academic systems as a distinguishing feature of her work.

Looking ahead, Kode plans to scale STEM Prep Tutoring’s services across additional U.S. states while expanding digital-skills programs to more rural communities in Nigeria. Her long-term vision focuses on creating sustainable education models that empower immigrant students abroad and equip young people at home with the skills needed for academic success and economic opportunity in an increasingly technology-driven world.