Adewale Yusuf, the chief executive officer and co‑founder of [AltSchool Africa](https://altschoolafrica.com), announced that he will relinquish operational control of the pan‑African edtech firm and join its board of directors, while his partner Sultan Akintunde steps up as the new CEO.
The handover, confirmed in an exclusive interview with Technext, marks a pivotal moment for the five‑year‑old venture that began as a technical recruitment and outsourcing outfit called [TalentQL](https://talentql.com) in late 2020, before pivoting to digital education in October 2021.
Yusuf explained that the decision is driven by personal considerations: after more than three years of shuttling between the United States and Africa, he wants greater stability and to spend more time with his young family. “I’m still with AltSchool, but simply transitioning into the board,” he said. “Personally, I just want to spend more time in the US now with my family. For the last three years, I’ve gone back and forth a lot, and personally, it’s not sustainable for me. My children are also getting to a stage where I want to spend more time with them.”
He added that the company’s corporate structure and core vision remain unchanged. TalentQL will continue to act as the parent entity that “writes the checks” for AltSchool Africa, ensuring financial continuity.
**What does the leadership change mean for AltSchool’s strategy?**
Yusuf stressed that the shift is about operational continuity rather than a strategic overhaul. “The direction will be improved; it’s not a new direction,” he noted. “Sultan is my co‑founder; he’s been there since day one. There’s no decision I make that we don’t agree on; he is just now at the forefront of it. He also has some exciting things he’s launching, and we are using this opportunity to roll them out.”
**How is AltSchool positioning itself as the “edX of Africa”?**
Coinciding with Akintunde’s appointment, AltSchool unveiled an ambitious academic expansion: a formal degree pathway that allows learners to earn a foundational diploma at AltSchool and then transfer credits to partner universities for a full bachelor’s degree. Two partner institutions have already joined the programme, offering localised tuition pricing that cuts the cost of overseas study dramatically. “Instead of moving to the UK and paying £20,000 for a degree, imagine paying only around £8,000 while you’re still in Nigeria, getting the same degree and the same lecturers,” the new CEO explained.
**What milestones has AltSchool achieved under Yusuf’s tenure?**
During Yusuf’s leadership, the startup grew from a modest 2021 cohort to training over 100,000 learners across more than 75 countries, establishing hubs in Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, and Ghana. Funding milestones include a $1 million pre‑seed round in February 2022 backed by Voltron Capital, Nestcoin, Pledges and Odunayo Eweniyi, followed by a $3 million seed round in April 2023 with Techstars and Angaza Investment Management. In February 2024, AltSchool secured international accreditation from the UK’s [Accreditation Service for International Schools, Colleges and Universities (ASIC)](https://www.asic.org.uk), addressing African parents’ demand for recognised credentials.
**What recent product and partnership initiatives have been launched?**
The curriculum has expanded beyond software engineering to include data science, product management, business, and the creative economy, featuring industry personalities such as Falz, Mr Macaroni and Joey Akan. In December 2024, AltSchool launched a European arm offering AI‑focused hybrid programmes across 12 markets. A 2025 partnership with crypto exchange Luno enabled the training of 15,000 Nigerians in blockchain and digital assets, while a September 2025 product pivot introduced $30 “Nano‑Diplomas” and localized courses in Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Swahili and French.
Yusuf’s exit mirrors his earlier move in 2020, when he stepped down as CEO of Techpoint Africa to address the continent’s tech talent gap. He now hands the reins of AltSchool to a co‑founder who has been integral to its growth, signalling continuity and an accelerated push toward affordable, globally recognised African higher education.