Meet Aroloye Oluwatosin, a Nigerian changemaker redefining advocacy for educators.
Oluwatosin expertly combines dedicated academic work with being a business owner and a bold voice for Nigeria’s teachers. Juggling coursework with a growing platform as an education advocate, she is fighting for better conditions, recognition, and respect for the very individuals who shape the future—educators.
With firsthand knowledge of the challenges facing Nigeria’s public education system, she speaks with clarity, passion, and a deep sense of purpose. In this interview with Olugbenga Oyeniran, she opens up about her journey, the heart behind her advocacy, and her vision for a world where teachers are no longer undervalued, but empowered.
Personal Background & Motivation
- Can you tell us a bit about yourself—where you’re from, what you’re studying, and what your typical day looks like?
I’m Oluwatosin Aroloye, a proud Nigerian from Ondo State, currently studying Early Childhood Education at the University of Lagos.
I’m also the founder of Oluko, a platform built to support and empower teachers through job creation, community, training, and financial literacy. My days are often packed — attending lectures, holding clarity calls with teachers, leading projects, managing a team, creating digital products, and sometimes, just resting and thinking through our next big move.
- What inspired your passion for education and, more specifically, for advocating for teachers?
It started from being in the system. I’ve taught in classrooms, both online and offline. I’ve seen the gap between what teachers give and what they receive. I’ve also watched amazing educators leave the profession due to burnout or low pay. That broke me. I didn’t want to just complain — I wanted to build something that created real options for teachers.
- Were there any personal experiences or teachers who shaped your views on the importance of educators?
Absolutely. Some teachers believed in me at times I didn’t believe in myself. But I’ve also had friends and colleagues in education who taught so passionately yet lived paycheck to paycheck, often unpaid for months. That contrast — between excellence and neglect — made me realize that teachers deserve more than applause. They deserve access, resources, and respect.
Balancing School and Advocacy
- How do you manage to balance your academic responsibilities with your work in advocacy?
Balance is tough, but systems help. I use organization tools like to stay organized, I plan in advance, and most importantly, I’ve built a small but dedicated team to help. I also pace myself — I don’t try to do it all in one day. Some seasons are heavy on advocacy, some are heavy on school. I respect both.
- What challenges have you faced while trying to juggle both, and how do you stay motivated?
Time and energy are big challenges. There have been days I had a class presentation in the morning and a speaking engagement at the same time. Also, being a young woman in leadership comes with its own stereotypes. But I stay motivated because this work is personal. Every teacher that benefits from what I do — that’s fuel for me.
The Heart of the Advocacy
- What are the main issues Nigerian teachers face today that the rest of the world might not be aware of?
Where do I begin? Unpaid salaries. Zero job security. Lack of training. Poor access to digital tools. Teachers are often forced to multitask without support — sometimes even taking up non-teaching jobs to survive. And these are people we expect to raise future leaders. The system fails them repeatedly.
- What kind of changes are you fighting for, and how are you going about pushing for those changes?
I’m fighting for a teacher-centered system — one where teachers have access to decent income, financial tools, professional development, and a safe community. Through Oluko, I organize free and paid trainings, provide job links and opportunities, promote financial literacy with tools like the Save-a-thon, and run projects like Campus Tour.
I also create digital products that make teaching easier and more profitable.
- Can you share a moment or experience that made you realize the urgency of this work?
Hosting the African Teachers Summit was one of those moments. When over 700 teachers joined, to learn, and connect — I saw firsthand how hungry the teacher community is for support and belonging. Another moment was during a campus training where one of the student teachers we trained told me, “I didn’t know I could earn money teaching online even as a student .” That shocked me. We can’t wait for policies to change — we have to start creating alternatives now.
Campaigns & Impact
- Have you launched or been involved in any projects, campaigns, or partnerships to support teachers?
Yes, I’ve launched several. Most notably:
African Teachers Summit — our annual gathering for teachers across Africa to network, learn, and heal. It’s been featured on AriseTV News, which helped amplify teacher voices to a larger audience.
Save-a-thon — a savings plan designed to help teachers save consistently and earn interest, because many teachers struggle with financial planning.
Campus Advocacy — I’ve organized trainings on my campus to help pre-service teachers learn how to teach online, create income systems, and build their brands.
These projects aren’t just about visibility — they’re about transformation.
- How do you measure the impact of your work, especially when advocating in a system with slow change?
The stories and impact . Every message I get from a teacher who landed a job, launched a business, or saved their first ₦100,000 through our plan is proof of impact. We also track metrics like number of participants, engagement on our platforms, feedback from teachers, and how many return for more support. It’s slow, but it’s steady and meaningful.
Wider Perspectives
- How do you think Nigeria’s education challenges compare with those in other countries?
Globally, education has issues, but Nigeria’s system is deeply affected by poor funding, weak structures, and cultural neglect of the teaching profession. In some countries, teachers are underpaid. In Nigeria, many are unpaid. We need a complete mindset shift — globally and locally — on how we see and treat teachers.
- What can global organizations, governments, or individuals do to support young advocates like you or improve teacher welfare worldwide?
Invest in us. Don’t just organize panels — fund solutions. Offer grants, partner with our platforms, and give young advocates access to decision-making spaces. Also, policies must move beyond student performance to teacher wellbeing. You can’t fix education if you’re not fixing what teachers go through.
Youth Voice & Vision
- As a young person, do you feel heard by the authorities and education stakeholders in Nigeria?
We’re starting to get noticed, but we’re not yet heard in the ways that matter. Young people often bring the most innovation, but we’re kept out of policy rooms. We need more than visibility — we need influence. I’m learning to make space where I’m not invited.
- What role do you believe young people should play in transforming education systems?
We are the disruptors. We bring new methods, new technologies, and fresh ways of thinking. Whether through content, advocacy, or digital products, young people are already shaping education. The system just needs to catch up.
- What’s your dream for the future of education in Nigeria and across Africa?
That teachers are respected and empowered. That students learn in safe, tech-friendly environments. That education becomes a tool of possibility, not pressure. I dream of an Africa where a teacher in a rural town is just as supported as one in a city. Where teaching is aspirational again.
Personal Reflection
- What keeps you hopeful in the face of systemic issues and slow change?
The community I call FAMILY. The teachers who still show up, still care, still believe. The little wins — a saved paycheck, a new job, a confident teacher who once felt stuck. These small victories give me strength to keep building.
- Who inspires you in your advocacy journey?
Honestly, it started with a thought: “If all the good teachers leave, who will teach my child?” I laughed, but it hit deep. That question drives me. I’m inspired by the idea that we must build what we want to see — not just for ourselves, but for the next generation. So every time I see a passionate teacher on the verge of giving up, I remember that thought, and I keep pushing.
Every teacher I’ve met who keeps going despite it all made me embark on this journey . Women who are building their own solutions. And the next generation of educators — the ones we’re training now. Their passion reminds me why we must keep doing the work.
- If you could send one message to every teacher in the world right now, what would it be?
You are more than your payslip. Your work matters. Your voice is powerful. And even if the system doesn’t see you yet — we do. And we’re building a future where you will not just be seen, but celebrated.
