The Linguist

You do a lot of work in education – could you tell us a bit about your own schooling? I grew up in Nigeria, where English was the primary language of instruction, but Yorùbá – my native language – was the heartbeat of daily life. This duality shaped my linguistic consciousness from an early age. While school championed formal English grammar, at home and in the community Yorùbá carried our identity, humour, history and soul. Today, I work across systems – British, African and international – where language instruction is increasingly multimodal and tech- driven. Unlike my own teacher-centred school experience of rote memorisation, my work now integrates inclusive, culturally responsive and technology-enhanced learning strategies. Whether I'm developing educational programmes for Educom Africa or training ESOL learners in the UK, my approach humanises language education, making it relevant and empowering for diverse learners. So when did you decide you wanted to work with languages? Language chose me. My childhood exposure to public speaking events, such as children's advocacy parliaments, ignited my passion for language and communication. After high school, I earned a national diploma in English Language Education, and started teaching high school students and helping people with Developmental Language Disorders (DLD). Early on, I sensed that words carried more than meaning – they carried power. Over time, I realised that what truly transformed lives was communication: inclusive, intentional, liberating communication. My journey took shape as I taught English at secondary and tertiary levels, trained educators, assessed national exams, and supported people with communication needs and learning difficulties. Do you get to use Yorùbá in your work? Absolutely – in language assessment, cultural localisation, tech review, content creation, translation and interpretation, especially for public services. I manage projects based on Yorùbá for tech companies and other clients. As a language access advocate, I also support heritage learners and diaspora communities reconnecting with Yorùbá, such as through my recently launched Linguistic Pathways. Could you tell us something about Yorùbá that might surprise non-speakers? One fascinating feature is its tonality – a single word can mean completely different things depending on pitch. Take igba: it could mean 'time', 'thirty' or 'garden egg' depending on tone. This musicality brings depth but also complexity in translation, especially when conveying cultural nuances. You're not just converting words; you're conveying worldview. Concepts like àṣẹ or ọmọlúàbí don't have direct English equivalents; they carry layers of spirituality, morality and communal identity. In 2018, you founded Educom Africa (www.educomafrica.com). What does it do? It's not just an education consultancy; it's a mission. We support schools, train educators and develop context-sensitive digital resources. I founded it to address a critical gap: access to quality, equitable education for African learners regardless of geography or socio-economic background. Our work aligns with the African Union's Agenda 2063. We are especially focused on talent discovery, global opportunities and digital upskilling across under-served communities. How difficult was it to establish a business on such an ambitious scale? The vision was clear, but the path was complex. It demanded not just pedagogical expertise, but business literacy, management skills, strategic networking, core skills and relentless adaptability. I trained in project management, PR, digital media, and even coding basics. My experience in education technology helped, as did my life coaching background, but more than anything, I had to master the art of listening – to stakeholders, to communities, to the silent gaps in the system. Educom Africa was also the official Nigeria partner of the World Cognition Project… Yes. That was one of the world's largest ever longitudinal studies on human cognition. The founder of Educom Africa discusses her work, from making communication inclusive for disabled people to education advocacy Fateemah Yoosuf-Ibraheem Meet our members FEATURES AUTUMN 2025 The Linguist 27

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