Founder, Staryou
Abiola Shittu
Influence doesn't discriminate.
I believe every individual is a unique light waiting to be empowered, and that influence does not discriminate. This belief has shaped my work in education, digital empowerment, leadership development, and helping young people discover and maximise their potential.
Education & Early Leadership
I am a Psychology graduate of Olabisi Onabanjo University, where I launched Weekly Psychology Articles and served as Public Relations Officer for the department, creating platforms that encouraged learning, self-awareness, and intellectual engagement among students. The articles ran consistently even through the 2022 nationwide 8-month ASUU strike. I also spoke three times at the Psychology Department's annual mental health seminar.
10X Growth College
In 2022, I founded 10X Growth College, a free digital skills training initiative. Over 700 young Nigerians were trained, with certification for interested members.
Young and Purpose-Driven Influencers
In 2023, I founded Young and Purpose-Driven Influencers (YOPIN), a community of hundreds of young Nigerians committed to helping people discover their purpose and use digital platforms for meaningful impact. That year, the community received the Educational Brand of the Year Award at the Exceptional Educators Award.
NYSC — NITDA
During my NYSC CDS, I worked with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) on the Digital Literacy for All initiative, serving as Vice President of the Mushin Local Government Area team in Lagos State.
Beyond the narratives that often define the area, I met people eager to learn, share ideas, and build real futures through technology, and entrepreneurs excited to grow their businesses through digital platforms. That experience confirmed something I already believed: potential exists everywhere when people are given the right support.
Recognition
- Named among the 100 Most Inspiring Youths and Creatives by BEST Africa
- Innovative Educator Awardee, 2023 Exceptional Educators Award
- 2023 Award of Influence, LIST AFRICA
- Scholarship recipient, Leadership Masterclass, GOTNI Leadership Centre, Abuja
Today, my work centres on Staryou: helping young Nigerians discover who they are and how they're meant to shine in today's creator economy.
Goldman Sachs projects the creator economy to be worth $480 billion by 2027, and access to that opportunity is no longer the barrier. As AI becomes more powerful and more widely available, the greatest competitive advantage will not belong to those with the best AI. It will belong to those who understand themselves well enough to direct AI toward meaningful work.