Meet Orondaam Otto, named 2025 Young Global Leader by World Economic Forum

In a nod to Africa’s rising influence in global leadership and innovation, Orondaam Otto, Nigerian entrepreneur and Founder of Slum2School Africa, has been announced as one of the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Young Global Leaders (YGL).

This prestigious recognition, awarded to about 100 outstanding leaders globally under the age of 40, honors individuals delivering transformative change across sectors.

Otto’s selection reflects over a decade of high-impact leadership at the intersection of education, social innovation, and human capital development—a sector critical to Africa’s future growth trajectory.

Through Slum2School, Otto has built one of Africa’s fastest-growing education-driven social enterprises. Under his leadership, the organization has impacted over 685,000 children from its 2024 annual report, developed scalable early childhood learning models, designed Africa’s first virtual learning platform for underserved learners, and mobilized thousands of volunteers and professionals across 60+ countries.

This recognition by the World Economic Forum places Otto among a highly influential network of global CEOs, Nobel Laureates, investors, and heads of state—positioning him and Slum2School for increased cross-sector collaborations, investment opportunities, and strategic partnerships.

In his statement via his social media, Otto remarked:

“Over the past two decades, I’ve been burned by the problems I’ve seen in communities around me, but also fueled by the belief that we can build a better world — especially for Africa. That every child, no matter where they’re born, deserves the chance to dream big and thrive.

“I intend to use every opportunity to spotlight the incredible potential Nigeria and Africa hold — especially if we invest in our young people and fully harness the power of our human, natural, mineral, and creative resources”

The Forum of Young Global Leaders, of the World Economic Forum, is a three-year leadership journey that supports changemakers in accelerating their impact through collaborations, executive education, and access to WEF’s global platforms.

Otto’s recognition comes at a pivotal time as global institutions and development organizations are increasingly exploring inclusive innovation, youth driven solutions and scalable models of economic mobility.

With a track record of building results-driven systems and strategic partnerships, Otto continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible for education transformation in emerging markets.