Tosin Isaiah Ojo is a name that proves challenges don’t have to define you, because he chose to turn them into stepping stones for lasting impact.
From almost failing his very first computer-based test in university to becoming a leader in analytics, strategy, and digital transformation, Tosin’s story is one of persistence, vision, and purpose.
With a foundation in Mathematics, Tosin built not just a career, but a mission, bridging the gap between data and strategy while opening doors for young people to thrive in the digital age.
Through his work with organizations and his Digital Skills and Talent Foundation, he’s empowering thousands to see technology not as an obstacle, but as a pathway to opportunity.
What makes Tosin’s story truly inspiring is that it’s not just about numbers, dashboards, or algorithms, it’s about people, impact, and the ripple effect that one determined individual can create.
In this interview, Tosin shares how he began, the challenges he’s faced, and the powerful lessons that continue to drive his work in transforming organizations and inspiring the next generation.
CA: Tosin, you’ve built an impressive career in analytics, strategy, and digital transformation. That’s huge. Can you take us back to how your journey in this space really began?
Tosin: My journey really started during my undergraduate years. I was a Mathematics student, and while I was comfortable with numbers, I nearly failed my very first computer-based test, not because I didn’t know the answers, but because I had never used a computer in that way before.
That experience was a turning point. It made me determined not only to master digital tools for myself but also to make sure others wouldn’t face that same barrier.
That determination led me, by 2016/2017, to launch my first computer outreach program. From that seed, my career in analytics, strategy, and digital transformation grew, solving problems in business and operations.
But the bigger picture for me has always been about bridging gaps, using data and technology to transform organizations while also expanding access for young people to thrive in the digital age.
CA: That’s powerful. Blending data analytics with executive strategy requires both technical depth and strategic vision. What was your path like, and were there any key mentors or influences that shaped it?
Tosin: For me, the path was very intentional. I began with technical depth as a Business Analyst, working hands-on with business intelligence, reporting systems, and advanced analytics. But over time, I realized that insights alone don’t create impact if they’re not connected to bigger decisions. That realization pushed me toward executive strategy, where analytics becomes the engine for growth, transformation, and innovation.
In terms of influences, I drew a lot of inspiration from African tech leaders like Iyin Aboyeji. They showed me that it’s possible to build platforms that shape entire ecosystems by marrying vision with execution. On the global front, I’ve also learned from strategy thinkers and data innovators who emphasize that the real power of analytics is not the dashboard itself but the decisions it enables.
So my journey has really been about blending two worlds, the precision of data and the foresight of strategy, and ensuring that both drive tangible outcomes for businesses and communities.
CA: Absolutely, I love how you describe blending those two worlds. The reality is, the world of analytics and digital strategy is evolving rapidly. What challenges have you faced in helping organizations adopt data-driven decision-making, and how did you overcome them?
Tosin: One of the biggest challenges has been mindset, not just technology. Many organizations want to be “data-driven,” but they underestimate what that really means. It’s not just about buying tools or hiring analysts, it requires cultural change, leadership buy-in, and the discipline to let evidence guide decisions rather than hierarchy or intuition.
Another challenge is infrastructure and readiness. In markets like Africa, for example, limited data quality, fragmented systems, and resistance to moving away from manual processes can slow transformation.
And now, in the era of AI and automation, every business is thinking about automating processes or leveraging AI tools, but without a strong data foundation and a culture that trusts insights, automation can fail to deliver real value.
The way I’ve overcome these challenges is twofold. First, by building trust through quick wins, showing leaders how even a simple dashboard, predictive model, or automated workflow can save money, improve efficiency, or reduce risk. Once decision-makers see tangible results, they become champions.
Second, by focusing on capacity building. I don’t just deliver solutions; I train teams, mentor leaders, and create frameworks so that organizations can sustain a data culture long after the project ends.
I’ve learned that the key is not just technical skill, but the ability to translate analytics and automation into strategy that leaders understand, trust, and act on, bridging the gap between AI potential and real-world business impact.
CA: That makes so much sense. Your career has been defined by persistence and innovation. What kept you motivated, especially during the early years of breaking into data and analytics?
Tosin: In the early years, what kept me going was a mix of curiosity and conviction. I was deeply curious about how data could reveal patterns and drive smarter decisions.
But beyond that, I had a conviction shaped by my own experience, nearly failing a computer-based test in university simply because I hadn’t been exposed to technology.
That moment gave me a personal mission: to master this space and make sure others had access to the same opportunities I didn’t have at first.
So even when the work was hard, I reminded myself that every skill I built and every solution I designed wasn’t just for me, it was opening doors for others. That bigger picture, knowing I was part of something larger than myself, has always been my strongest motivation.
CA: I can feel the passion behind that. How has your background and experience shaped the way you approach data engineering, analytics, and strategic problem-solving today?
Tosin: My background in Mathematics gave me the discipline to think in structures, patterns, and logic. That foundation has been invaluable in analytics and data engineering, where precision and problem-solving are everything.
But my professional journey, moving from business data analysis to strategy and digital transformation, taught me that numbers alone don’t solve problems unless they’re connected to context and people.
Because I started my career not just in corporate settings but also in underserved communities, I approach every problem with a dual mindset: technical depth and human impact. In data engineering, that means I don’t just design pipelines or models; I ask how the solution drives decisions, scales across the business, or even transforms access for those who’ve been excluded.
So today, whether I’m working on business algorithms, analytics dashboards, or broader strategy, I see data as more than information. It’s an enabler, a tool that, when framed correctly, solves complex problems for organizations while also creating opportunities for people. That perspective is what shapes my approach every day.
CA: That dual mindset really stands out, technical depth with human impact. Through the Digital Skills and Talent Foundation, you’ve empowered thousands of young people. How does it feel seeing your initiatives create opportunities and inspire the next generation?
Tosin: It’s deeply fulfilling. When I started the Digital Skills and Talent Foundation, my vision was simple, to remove the barriers I once faced so that young people could see technology as an opportunity, not an obstacle.
Today, seeing thousands of youths not only learn digital skills but also go on to secure jobs, internships, or even start their own ventures has been humbling.
One story that stays with me is a young girl in Osogbo, Osun State. She came into our program with almost no computer knowledge. Within weeks, she was not only coding in Python but also teaching her peers. Later, she secured an internship at a local firm.
Stories like hers remind me that what we are building is bigger than skills, it’s about hope, dignity, and a pathway to the future.
For me, the greatest joy is knowing that every life impacted becomes a multiplier. When you empower one youth, you indirectly empower a family and uplift a community. That ripple effect is what inspires me to keep going.
CA: Wow, really interesting! You’ve also written books and developed resources for professionals. What inspired you to share your knowledge and make analytics more accessible, especially to non-technical people?
Tosin: The inspiration came from my own early struggles. When I first entered the analytics space, a lot of the resources I encountered were either too technical, too fragmented, or disconnected from the realities professionals face in business.
I saw many talented people get discouraged, not because they lacked ability, but because the learning curve felt unnecessarily steep. That was why I started documenting my knowledge in books.
My goal was simple: to demystify analytics and make it approachable for both technical and non-technical professionals. I wanted someone in finance, HR, or marketing to pick up my book or attend my training and feel, “Yes, I can use data to make better decisions in my work.”
The feedback has been very rewarding. I’ve heard from people who used the book to land jobs, transition careers, or lead digital projects in their organizations. For me, knowledge is only valuable when it’s shared, and by making analytics more accessible, I feel I’m helping to unlock opportunities for others the same way someone once unlocked them for me.
CA: That’s incredible. Looking ahead, what’s next for you in your career and advocacy? Any upcoming projects, global initiatives, or milestones we should look out for?
Tosin: Looking ahead, my focus is on creating strategic impact at the intersection of data, analytics, and technology adoption. Artificial intelligence is here to stay, and one of the ways we’re supporting this transition is through the AI4Teachers initiative.
By equipping educators with AI tools and frameworks, we’re helping them innovate in classrooms, prepare students for the future of work, and embed technology into learning in a sustainable way.
The goal isn’t just training, it’s about enabling teachers to lead change, scale their impact, and influence the next generation of digitally literate professionals. For me, initiatives like this show that technology is most powerful when it’s applied thoughtfully to empower people and transform systems, rather than just being a tool or buzzword.
CA: I love that. Before we wrap it up, what’s one common misconception about data analytics or digital transformation that you’d like to correct?
Tosin: One common misconception is that digital transformation or data analytics is primarily about technology, that buying the latest tools or hiring analysts automatically makes an organization “data-driven.” In reality, the biggest challenges are often cultural and strategic.
True transformation happens when leadership embraces a data-informed mindset, teams are empowered to use insights to make decisions, and processes are aligned to act on the data. Technology is an enabler, but without this human and organizational dimension, even the most sophisticated systems can fail to create impact.
I like to say: it’s not the dashboards or algorithms that matter most; it’s the decisions they enable and the people they empower.
CA: That’s such an important distinction. Finally, if you could give one piece of advice to professionals or young people aspiring to make an impact in analytics, technology, or strategy, what would it be?
Tosin: My advice would be audacity paired with curiosity. Don’t wait for perfect conditions or for someone to hand you an opportunity. The challenges we face in technology, analytics, and strategy are often local, but so are the solutions.
Be willing to explore, experiment, and take calculated risks. Learn deeply, not just superficially, and always connect your skills to real problems that create measurable impact. And remember: when you empower yourself to solve problems, you can also empower others, the multiplier effect is how real change happens.
