The leadership transition comes as AltSchool moves beyond its original technology skills-training model towards a broader education platform, with plans to offer university degree pathways through academic partnerships.
Founded in 2021, AltSchool Africa has grown into one of Nigeria’s recognised digital learning startups, offering programmes in software engineering, data, product management, business and other professional disciplines.
The company reported 119,000 platform users and approximately 19,000 learners in its 2025 impact report. More recent accounts put its registered user base above 200,000, although that figure has not been independently verified.
Yusuf’s departure from day-to-day leadership would place Sultan, who helped establish the business alongside Yusuf and Opeyemi Awoyemi, in charge of its next phase of growth.
From Coding Bootcamp to Digital Education Platform
AltSchool Africa launched in 2021 with a mission to make technology education more accessible to Africans who could not afford or did not want to follow conventional university pathways.
Its initial focus was software engineering, offering structured online classes, practical projects and mentorship designed to help learners develop skills needed by technology companies.
The startup subsequently expanded into data analytics, cloud engineering, cybersecurity, product management, business and creative disciplines.
Its learning model has also evolved to accommodate different student needs. Alongside its longer diploma programmes, AltSchool now offers self-paced Nano-Diploma courses designed for people seeking shorter, more flexible training.
The company has extended its reach beyond Nigeria, attracting learners from multiple African countries and international markets.
According to its 2025 impact report, AltSchool had reached users in 110 countries, highlighting the international demand for accessible digital skills education.
Akintunde Sultan Pushes AltSchool Africa Into University Degrees
One of the most significant changes under AltSchool’s emerging strategy is its move towards recognised university qualifications.
Sultan has publicly outlined plans to introduce locally and internationally accredited degree pathways that would allow eligible students to build on their existing qualifications.
Under the proposed approach, students who have completed AltSchool diploma programmes could transfer qualifying academic credits towards university degrees.
The initiative is also intended to accommodate people who already hold National Diplomas or university qualifications and want to obtain additional degrees without necessarily repeating an entire programme.
Rather than relying exclusively on the traditional time-based university model, the planned system would place greater emphasis on accumulated academic credits and previously completed learning.
For students, this could provide a more flexible route to gaining recognised qualifications while developing practical workplace skills.
However, the recognition of transferred credits, eligibility requirements and duration of individual degree programmes will depend on the participating institutions and applicable accreditation rules.
A Leadership Transition at a Critical Time
The change in leadership comes as African edtech companies face growing pressure to demonstrate that their programmes deliver meaningful career outcomes.
While digital learning platforms have helped expand access to technology training, attracting large numbers of students does not automatically translate into successful graduation or employment.
For AltSchool, the challenge extends beyond increasing enrolment. The company must also ensure that its learning programmes remain relevant, accessible and capable of helping students progress professionally.
That challenge has become more pronounced with the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence tools, which are changing the technical skills employers demand and how software development work is performed.
The planned university degree pathways could help AltSchool position itself beyond short-term skills training by combining practical education with formal academic recognition.
However, their success will depend on the quality of its partnerships, regulatory compliance, affordability and students’ ability to convert their qualifications into career opportunities.
For Sultan, taking over the company’s leadership would mean balancing expansion into formal education with the need to strengthen its existing learning platform.
Five years after its founding, AltSchool’s next chapter will test whether a Nigerian startup originally established to train software engineers can evolve into a broader education provider serving learners across Africa and beyond.
