Social entrepreneur and education advocate, Orondaam Otto has been selected as one of the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Young Global Leaders (YGL) — a distinguished honour that celebrates under-40 leaders across the world who are boldly shaping the future of their nations and communities.
The announcement, made this April by the World Economic Forum, places Otto among an exclusive group of 115 leaders globally selected each year from government, business, civil society, academia, and media. Honorees include world presidents, Nobel laureates, CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, and changemakers solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
For Otto, this is more than a personal accolade—it is a recognition of a lifelong commitment to building systems that uplift children, transform education, and inspire the next generation of African leaders.
His leadership journey with Slum2School Africa, began in 2012 during his NYSC year, when he encountered children out of school in Makoko, a floating slum community in Lagos. That moment sparked the birth of Slum2School Africa, the non-profit he founded with a mission to provide equal access to quality education for underserved children across Nigeria and Africa.
Over the past 13 years, Slum2School has grown into one of Africa’s most impactful education-focused social enterprises. Under Otto’s leadership, it has supported over 685,000 children, built hundreds of learning spaces, and launched Africa’s first virtual learning platform for children in marginalized communities. With volunteers and supporters in over 60 countries, Otto’s work continues to demonstrate how local innovation can drive global transformation.
The Young Global Leaders program, established by the World Economic Forum, is a multi-year leadership experience that empowers members with access to top executive education at institutions like Harvard, INSEAD, and Oxford, high-level summits such as Davos, and a collaborative network of over 1,400 leaders worldwide.
Fellows also receive mentorship, global visibility, and opportunities to influence policies, shape international development, and co-create solutions for issues such as education, public health, climate change, and inclusive growth.
According to the World Economic Forum, Otto was selected as “a visionary development leader bridging local innovation with global impact.”
Reacting to the news, Otto said: “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.”
“Joining the Forum of Young Global Leaders isn’t just a recognition for me—it’s an amplifier. A gateway into new rooms, bigger tables, and global conversations that matter. I’m committed to using this platform to spotlight the extraordinary potential Nigeria and Africa hold—especially when we invest in our young people and unlock our human, natural, and creative resources.”
In addition to his work at Slum2School, Otto serves on several national and global boards and advisory councils. He holds academic and leadership credentials from Harvard University, MIT, Henley Business School, and the University of Stellenbosch, and is a recipient of multiple global honours including the Eisenhower Fellowship, Edward S. Mason Fellowship, Lucius N. Littauer Award, and CNN’s African Voices Changemaker.
Otto’s selection as a 2025 Young Global Leader is a proud moment for Nigeria and Africa — a clear reminder that vision, empathy, and bold leadership can create solutions that cross borders and generations. It also opens the door to increased global collaboration, investment, and innovation that will strengthen Slum2School’s mission and accelerate educational access for millions more.
As Nigeria continues to produce trailblazers on the global stage, Otto’s story is a compelling example of what is possible when passion meets purpose — and when one young Nigerian dares to dream beyond limitations.
