Gideon Olanrewaju
Gideon Olanrewaju is one of Nigeria’s finest evolving Edtech innovators driving equitable educational opportunities and sustainable learning outcomes for millions of disadvantaged Nigerian children, leveraging innovation, collaboration, and technology. A globally acclaimed education development practitioner and social entrepreneur with a notable track record of championing impactful educational interventions for children in rural communities, Gideon currently serves as the Chief Executive Director of Aid for Rural Education Access Initiative (AREAi) (www.areai4africa.org ), a non-profit organization, that designs and implements quality alternative formal and non-formal educational opportunities for out-of-school children. With a firm interest in literacy skills development, girls’ education, and digital equity, his initiatives have reached over 25,000 beneficiaries. With a Masters’ Degree in International Education and Development from the University of Sussex and over 7 years of transnational experience spanning 4 countries, his vision to democratize access to digital learning and revolutionize educational content delivery for millions of Nigerian children leveraging low-cost technologies has led to the development of innovative enterprises, one of which was named as one of African Union’s Top 50 Education innovations 2020.
Gideon’s various humanitarian contributions and proven impact record has been deservingly recognised. At 27, he is a 2019 One Young World Ambassador, 2019 Deloitte Scholar, 2019 Crans Montana New Leader of Tomorrow, 2018 UNESCO Young Leader in Africa, and A Global Youth Ambassador with the A World at School International Campaign on Education. He is also a 2017 recipient of the United Kingdom Chevening Scholarship Award, a 2018 nominee of the Future Award Africa Prize for Education, a 2019 recipient of 100 most Influential Young Nigerians Award, a 2019 recipient of Zenith Bank Heroes of our Time Award, and a 2020 recipient of the Ooni of Ife’s Royal African Youth Leadership Awards. Gideon holds multiple degrees and certificates from Nigeria, United Kingdom, and South Africa