---
title: Spearheading Digital Transformation in Education on a Global Level
description: The Drive to Keep the Education Industry Ahead of the Technology Curve Rachael Afolabi knows that one person, or one […]
author: Darie Nani (Editor-in-Chief)
date: 2019-09-06T09:54:34.000Z
updated: 2026-02-25T15:40:36.805Z
canonical: https://www.sovereignmagazine.com/article/spearheading-digital-transformation-in-education-on-a-global-level
image: https://cdn.nanimediahouse.com/education-P856K5C-scaled.jpg
categories: Education
content_type: Feature
region: Pennsylvania
publication: Sovereign Magazine
---

## The Drive to Keep the Education Industry Ahead of the Technology Curve

Rachael Afolabi knows that one
person, or one company, cannot change the world. But she is working hard to
change it for people starting with Osogbo, Nigeria, and Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A.

With a passion for technology teaching
and learning, Rachael’s focus is on creating access for those who have little
or no options to modern technologies, educating individuals and organizations
how to integrate technology into new and existing curricula on an
interdisciplinary level.

**What inspired you to become an
entrepreneur?**

I have been an entrepreneur since
my teenage years. I made and sold handmade festive cards for friends and family
members. I had my son in my third year of college and I wanted to create an opportunity
for myself where I could earn an income independently. I specialised in
textiles design in my Industrial Design program in university. During that
time, I attempted to sell my designs to a textiles manufacturing firm in
Nigeria. Unfortunately, I was super naïve and inexperienced, so I got paid a
few thousand Naira and was sent my way with no royalties negotiated!

That was a hard lesson, but it also
began my journey to learn as much as I could about business. I briefly owned
and ran an art gallery in Brooklyn, New York from 2010-2012, representing
artists around the world. I learned a lot but did not make huge financial
profits! It did afford me the opportunity to expand my global network. I closed
the business when it became too time-consuming and financially impractical. I focused
on developing my [technology skills](https://www.sovereignmagazine.com/article/the-benefits-of-pursuing-a-tech-oriented-degree-in-today-s-digital-landscape) to pivot my art business and advancing my
career in instructional design.

**What does your business do? **

[Paradigm Global Education](https://www.paradigmglobalinnovations.com/) works with clients in the U.S.A., Europe and Africa, developing digital learning content, implementing learning management systems, and developing curriculum and learning pathways.

New opportunities have emerged in
the need for content development and integration of new technologies into
existing curriculum and training needs for teachers at every level, from
primary to secondary school education (K-12) to corporate education.

I started this as an independent
consultant and started to expand as the need in education continues to grow
globally. Industry leaders need to continue the upskilling of their employees
to keep up with the technologies that have emerged and will keep emerging and
improving learning processes, creating smart cities, and creating job
opportunities for economic development.

My digital transformation and
education agency started in 2016 with expertise in education technology
development, delivery, and creating access to learning. We help to identify
gaps and develop learning plans for colleges, universities, and corporations. We
are in the business of strategy and sustainable implementation.

Starting this year, 2019, our
partnerships have expanded in the U.K. and Africa, creating innovation centres
with a focus on integrating emerging technologies into learning in different
disciplines, and educating on the essential skills and leadership development
needed in the continuous development and implementation of these technologies.

**What problems do you hope to solve?**

We hope to develop educators at all
levels to continue to [learn new technologies to enhance education](https://www.sovereignmagazine.com/article/enhancing-learning-through-gamification-a-revolution-in-education), and to contribute
in providing access to learning these new technologies in communities that do
not have existing or limited access.

**What is the best thing about your job?**

The creativity and diversity of people
and technologies we get to work with is exciting, and also discovering new
places where we can provide access and opportunities in technology.

**And the most challenging? **

One of the most challenging parts
of my work is still the recognition of women in technology, especially women of
colour. It is still tough to walk into a room and be accepted despite working in
this field with successful outcomes for thirteen years! There is progress, but
there is still a lot of work that needs to be done. It doesn’t stop me though,
if anything, it provides the encouragement and gusto needed to continue.

.

**What has been your most satisfying moment in
business so far?**

The most satisfying thing in
business for me is when a client is satisfied. That is satisfying. But I do
have to say that we just opened our first education innovation coworking centre
in Osogbo – Atunse (meaning Renaissance in Yoruba language) Innovation
Coworking Space. Hardly the place you would expect an innovation centre but
that’s exactly what we’re about. Creating access to places that would not otherwise
be considered in this technology boom that is occurring globally. Starting September
2019, we will be providing opportunities to individuals in that locality creating
access to technology education and training thereby playing our part in not
leaving Nigeria and Africa behind in global technology advancements. Having
already secured early partners from the United States, and the U.K., we are
stoked that this will be a success and our contribution to the renaissance of
Nigeria, and Africa. We are also working with a non-profit organization in
Pittsburgh, PA. U.S.A. launching a digital skills program training youth and
connecting them with businesses with technology needs in a local area.

I am also very proud of our work in launching our platform on Africa Interactive, an interactive platform that tells the story of Africa from the perspective of Africans utilizing immersive and interactive learning approaches. This is a brand-new education platform we launched recently in the Netherlands and we hope to grow extensively in the next few months.

**About Rachael Afolabi**

Rachael Afolabi was born in Indiana, U.S.A. and grew up in Zaria, a historical city in Northern Nigeria. Her career started off at a small graphic design firm in Lagos, Nigeria, where she worked as a graphic designer. She later moved to the U.S. where she has worked for higher education institutions and international Fortune 50 companies in the U.S.A. as an instructional designer and technology and workforce development specialist. She is currently a researcher in Europe working in immersive education technologies and an adjunct professor, teaching courses in web design and development, and instructional design.  She has an 18-year old son and has been married to her husband for three years.

> View this post on Instagram
> 
> [Looking forward to hosting and collaborating with tech specialists around the globe in Pittsburgh this October #pittsburgh #digitaltransformation #vr #ar #blockchain #artificialintelligence #dataanalytics #teachingandlearning](https://www.instagram.com/p/B1BhJwcg1rn/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)
> 
> A post shared by  Rachael Afolabi Royes (@rachaelpipi) on Aug 11, 2019 at 5:29am PDT