In a bid to make technology more accessible, Olalekan Adeeko, a former secondary school teacher and data analyst, is breaking barriers by teaching tech skills in Yoruba. Through short, engaging videos on TikTok, Adeeko is proving that indigenous languages can serve as effective tools for digital education.
The Vision Behind the Initiative
In September 2022, Adeeko posted his first video on TikTok, announcing his plan to teach technology in Yoruba. The response was overwhelming, with comments like “We can’t wait” flooding his post within hours. This encouragement motivated him to take his project further. Adeeko’s background includes 15 years of teaching experience and co-founding an ed-tech firm, TedPrime Hub, in 2017. His goal is simple yet ambitious: to democratize access to digital literacy by removing language barriers.
Why Yoruba?
With millions of native and secondary speakers, Yoruba holds significant cultural and linguistic relevance. Yet, most digital education resources in Nigeria remain predominantly in English, leaving a large segment of the population underserved. Studies suggest that learning in one’s native language enhances comprehension and retention, a principle Adeeko incorporates into his teaching.
Building a Community
Over the months, Adeeko has produced more than 300 videos, sharing tips on using Microsoft tools such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. His content ranges from creating barcodes in Excel to merging shapes in PowerPoint, all explained in Yoruba. His efforts have attracted a growing audience, including 15,000 followers on TikTok, over 3,600 subscribers on YouTube, and 33,000 followers on Facebook.According to Adeeko, his teaching style—blending humor and relatable scenarios—has been key to his success. “Hearing it in Yoruba makes it easier for people to learn,” he says.
Challenges and Adaptations
While the initiative has received widespread acclaim, Adeeko admits that translating technical terms into Yoruba can be challenging. As a solution, he uses a mix of Yoruba and English in his videos, ensuring that his audience grasps even complex concepts.
Impact and Future Plans
Adeeko has trained over 30,000 teachers across Nigeria, Ghana, and Botswana and won multiple accolades for his contributions to education. His innovative approach is not just about teaching tech skills; it’s about making digital literacy accessible to everyone.To expand his reach, Adeeko recently launched a personal website where all his videos are organized for easy access. He hopes to partner with organizations to scale his efforts further and calls for government support in promoting digital education in indigenous languages.
A Transformative Approach
Adeeko’s work underscores the potential of using local languages to bridge the digital divide. His vision of making technology accessible to all—irrespective of language—is a step toward greater inclusivity in digital education.
