Adedolapo Oguntayo-Williams has established the LearnArk Inclusion Academy, a tuition-free virtual technology training programme designed for persons with disabilities in Nigeria. According to TechCabal, the initiative targets deaf, blind, and physically impaired talent, aiming to move them from the margins of the labor market into high-value roles in product management, data analytics, and cybersecurity. The academy operates through her edtech platform, LearnArk, which has already trained more than 1,000 learners across various structured cohorts.
The conceptual origin of the academy traces back to a 2024 incident reported by TechCabal, where Oguntayo-Williams attended a conference hosted by a major Nigerian bank while pushing her daughter in a stroller. The absence of a physical ramp for wheelchair access prompted her to examine broader accessibility challenges in public and digital spaces. She concluded that corporate intentions often lacked tangible execution, leading her to focus on education and technology as areas where she could contribute directly. "Inclusion had to go beyond conversations and good intentions," she told TechCabal, emphasizing the need for access and independent livelihoods.
Oguntayo-Williams, an industrial engineer by training, previously worked in business analysis and product management before transitioning into global software roles. TechCabal notes that she joined ShortPoint, a global software company, in 2020, working remotely from Lagos. Her career path included stints at Ruff ‘n’ Tumble and AXA Mansard, where she gained experience in vendor negotiation and enterprise digital transformation. These roles provided the operational playbook she now applies to bootstrapping the academy, which she has funded personally since its inception.
The academy’s operational model involves candidates registering via an online portal to specify their preferred tracks and accessibility requirements. The organization provides specialized support through mentors and an operational team, while working to scale closed-captioning and sign-language interpretation capabilities. TechCabal reports that Oguntayo-Williams is currently seeking strategic partnerships to cover the costs of learner support and accessibility tool upgrades. The pivot from an initial academic marketplace model to practical, industry-aligned instruction was driven by her observation that aspiring tech professionals often struggle with the transition into formal employment rather than a lack of theoretical knowledge.