Orondaam Otto (born 8 August 1987) is a Nigerian social entrepreneur, education advocate, and philanthropist.
He is the founder of Slum2School Africa, a nonprofit organization and the first to build a Virtual Learning Classroom in Sub-Saharan Africa.
He is also one of the founding members of The Lagos State Employment Trust Fund.
Otto is a two-time winner of The Future Awards Africa and a member of the Harvard Kennedy School Alumni Board.
Early Life and Education
- Date of Birth: 8 August 1987
- Place of Birth: Northern Nigeria
- State of Origin: Port Harcourt, Rivers State
- Education:
- B.Sc. Human Anatomy, University of Port Harcourt
- Master’s in Public Administration, Harvard Kennedy School (2022)
- Awards:
- Erik Yankah Award
- Lucius N. Littauer Fellowship Award for leadership
- Awards:
Career
- Began social sector involvement at age 16 through volunteer organizations improving children’s living conditions.
- 2011:
- While serving in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), discovered Makoko Community and its lack of access to quality education.
- Founded Slum2School Africa to address the rising number of out-of-school children in Africa, especially in slums and underserved areas.
- 2020:
- Built Africa’s first Virtual Learning Classroom during the COVID-19 pandemic to support remote education.
- Featured as an African Change-maker on CNN’s African Voices documentary.
- Leadership & Fellowships:
- 2016: Mandela Washington Fellow (with Adebola Williams and Grace Ihejiamaizu)
- Served as Chairman, West and Central African Regional Advisory Board of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) launched by President Barack Obama.
- 2022: Appointed to the HKS Black Alumni Board.
- 2024: Appointed to the Harvard Kennedy School Alumni Board.
- 2016: Mandela Washington Fellow (with Adebola Williams and Grace Ihejiamaizu)
Recognition
- The Future Awards Africa (2012 & 2013) – Innovation in Education
- Named among Global 100 Most Influential People of African Descent by the United Nations General Assembly
- Listed in YNaija 2020 Powerlist of Nigerians in Advocacy
- 2022: Nominated for Business Insider Africa Awards – Social Entrepreneur of the Year
External Links
- Slum2School Africa(https://slum2school.org)
References
- CNN African Voices Documentary
- Harvard Kennedy School Alumni Board Announcements
- YNaija Powerlist Publications