By Nigerian learning technologist Mustapha Salaudeen has been recognized as one of the 30 young professionals in the world selected for The Learning Guild’s 2026 Thirty Under 30 programme, announced recently.
This accolade is significant as it acknowledges emerging talent poised to shape the future of workplace learning and technology-driven education. Salaudeen is the only representative from Nigeria and Africa in this cohort, highlighting his contributions to learning innovation and technology.
This year’s recognition celebrates the efforts of professionals redefining organizational training and educational practices in the wake of advancements in artificial intelligence and digital technologies.
Salaudeen’s work emphasizes the integration of these technologies to enhance learning experiences. “It is a validation I’d long waited for; validation that I can do it too, that certain positions are not barricaded against me, and that I can inspire the next person to keep at what they believe in,” he stated.
In his extensive career, which encompasses visual design, science, and classroom teaching, Salaudeen has developed multimedia-based learning solutions. His experience spans notable roles in multinational corporations, including a significant contribution to learning initiatives at Sky and the redesign of a Google-powered training campaign for policymakers across Sub-Saharan Africa, which has trained more than 18,000 small and medium-sized enterprises since its inception.
Beyond corporate projects, Salaudeen founded Listening Trivia, an AI-driven assessment tool aimed at making learning engagement more interactive and reflective. This initiative exemplifies his belief in the need for educational tools that foster self-reflection rather than mere knowledge retention.
“You’re only testing their knowledge retention level; you’re not forcing them or pushing them to self-reflect,” he explained during an interview, emphasizing that current assessments are designed more for compliance than for genuine behavioral change.
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Listening Trivia is built on principles of gamification and leverages AI to provide users with qualitative feedback rather than traditional scoring. The platform evaluates participation against various facets of listening behavior, such as active listening and summarizing skills. Salaudeen noted that this approach moves away from the conventional pass-fail model, emphasizing growth and self-improvement.
The tool reflects broader trends in the corporate learning environment, particularly in Africa, where there is often an overemphasis on certificates rather than actual competency. “The objective must shift from ‘compliance’ to ‘culture change,’” Salaudeen remarks, articulating his vision for a more substantial transformation in educational approaches across the continent.
Salaudeen’s focus goes beyond developing innovative platforms, as he seeks to address how learning systems can effectively influence behavior and engagement among learners.
Author: byN News Crew
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