In a rapidly changing educational landscape, Sola Adeola — widely known as SOGEBRA — is a name that resonates with purpose, innovation, and deep compassion. With over 17 years in education and more than seven years in strategic leadership, SOGEBRA has become a driving force behind transformative learning experiences in Nigeria and across Africa. As the current Chief Operating Officer at Atlantic Hall School, her work intersects strategic vision, inclusive community building, digital transformation, and deep-rooted values.
Her journey spans impactful leadership at institutions such as Caleb Group of Schools, Edusko, and EdGo. She is also the founder of multiple community initiatives, including the Sogebra Foundation, The Change Makers Group, and Leading Ladies in Learning. Her acclaimed book Winning Online and her Digital Citizenship Flashcards are empowering classrooms to embrace tech responsibly.
Named among the Top 100 Career Women in Africa (2024) and Power Woman 100 Nigeria, SOGEBRA continues to blaze a trail in education with resilience and vision.
In this exclusive interview with Akeem Alao, she shares the defining moments that shaped her journey, the innovations driving her leadership, and her bold vision for the future of education in Africa. Her insights are not just reflections—they are a call to action for educators, school leaders, and changemakers across the continent.
Your journey spans 17 years in education and seven in strategic leadership—what defining moment ignited your passion for transforming learning systems?
Honestly, my journey has been one of grace—grace upon grace. It wasn’t all smooth, and I don’t want to romanticize it. It was a mix of real-life battles and deep personal experiences. But if I had to pick a defining moment, it would be the realization that children weren’t failing because they weren’t smart—they were failing because the system was failing them. I saw this repeatedly in the classroom, and it shifted something in me. That awareness made me decide to commit myself to changing the system itself, not just the learners within it.
As COO of Atlantic Hall School, what key innovations have you implemented to advance excellence, innovation, and sustainability?
At Atlantic Hall School, we are focused on building systems—not personalities. It’s not a one-man show. I’m privileged to work with a forward-thinking team that prioritizes efficiency with heart. We’ve streamlined administrative processes using digital tools, emphasized the importance of data-informed decision-making, and embedded wellness as a core pillar of excellence. We’re also promoting sustainability—reducing paper usage and shifting many processes online. For me, innovation isn’t about being trendy; it’s about creating structures that reflect authentic values and solve real problems.
How did your experience at Edusko and EdGo shape your perspective on education, technology, and access in Africa?
My time at Edusko and EdGo was a real eye-opener. I sat at the “front row” of how education, tech, and access intersect. I saw clearly that education must be affordable, accessible, and effective. Tech alone can’t solve our problems—we must ask, “How applicable is it in our economic reality?” I learned that beyond pedagogy and technology, there is a passion for connecting learners to opportunity, and that’s the heartbeat of educational equity in Africa.
The Sogebra Foundation has impacted thousands of children and educators. What inspired its creation, and what’s your vision for its future?
The inspiration came from personal pain and memory. After losing my father, I went through secondary school with just two uniforms—and they were worn, but I kept showing up. That experience taught me the dignity that comes with learning, no matter the circumstances. Then I heard the heartbreaking story of a boy who took his life after being forced out of school. That crushed me. I realized I could use my network and voice to help others. The Sogebra Empowerment Foundation was born from that. Its mission is simple: restore hope and dignity through access to learning—for those in school and those out of it.
With the success of The Change Makers Group and Leading Ladies in Learning, how do you build sustainable educator communities?
It starts with shared ownership. We founded The Change Makers in 2019, and today it has over 430 members. Everyone is encouraged to lead in their own right—we empower, support, and inspire each other. There are days I’m down, but the energy in the group lifts me. In Leading Ladies in Learning, we do the same—focusing on women in education, building a community where everyone rises by lifting others. It’s about authentic relationships and mutual growth.
You’ve held leadership roles in both private schools and edtech startups. How do you balance operational efficiency with learner-centered innovation?
It’s a dance. Efficiency is vital, but it must never come at the cost of the learner’s experience. We use systems thinking, design for the learner’s journey, and constantly reflect on how every decision affects engagement and outcomes. Whether in a school or a startup, students remain at the center, and everything else aligns to serve that.
Tell us about your book Winning Online and the Digital Citizenship Flashcards. What inspired them, and how are they used today?
I’m deeply passionate about digital citizenship—not just tech literacy, but media balance, privacy, safety, and accountability. Winning Online is a resource for teachers, parents, and students to navigate the digital world intentionally. The flashcards are fun, engaging tools being used in schools to teach these critical concepts. We’ve seen students begin to understand the real-world consequences of online actions, and that’s powerful. One story that stuck with me was a woman who was trolled on Twitter—and the troll ended up unknowingly applying for a job in her company. That’s the reality we must prepare our children for.
You’ve been named among the Power Woman 100 Nigeria and Top 100 Career Women in Africa. How do you use your platform to promote purposeful education?
It was humbling—when I saw the names on the list, I felt so honored, especially because only a handful of educators were featured. It reminded me that many women in education are doing powerful work, but aren’t visible. That inspired me to create more platforms, like Leading Ladies in Learning, where we celebrate and elevate women in education. It’s not about feminism—it’s about representation and empowerment. Women dominate teaching roles, yet leadership is still male-dominated. We’re changing that narrative.
What role do you believe Learning Experience Design (LXD) plays in the future of African education, and how are you using it in your work?
LXD is the secret sauce. Think of restaurants—they won’t tell you their secret ingredient, but it’s what keeps you coming back. That’s what LXD does for learning—it makes it engaging, fun, relevant. In African education, we must move away from rigid, traditional methods and toward intentionally designed, student-centered experiences. That’s what I advocate for and implement every day.
Looking ahead, what legacy do you hope to leave in education? What advice would you offer to emerging educators and school leaders?
I want to be remembered as someone who paid it forward—who reached back to lift others up, especially girls and children in underserved communities. My message to educators and school leaders is this: you can become whoever you dream to be. I started in the classroom with no clear path ahead, just a fire in my soul. I didn’t let the noise around me silence that fire.
Stay focused. Don’t underestimate the power of strategic relationships—collaborate beyond your circle. And don’t shy away from the digital world—embrace it. Our learners need us to evolve with them.
