In a continent where demographic advantage is rapidly becoming economic destiny, Folusho Odegbaike stands at the forefront of Africa’s human capital revolution. As CEO of HYT Consulting, she has spent over two decades transforming how organizations across West Africa harness their most valuable resource, their people.
Folusho’s journey through the human resources landscape reads like a blueprint for strategic workforce development. Beginning with seven impactful years at Zain Nigeria (now Airtel) as a Learning and Development Specialist, where she led organization-wide training interventions, Folusho moved to PNN as Head of HR, spearheading a complete HR restructure for a company with over 700 employees across West Africa. There, Folusho established a performance-driven culture and built a functional Learning and Development unit that became instrumental in helping the organization meet its strategic targets.
Today, Folusho leads HYT Consulting, a rapidly expanding human capital management firm that manages over 6,000 outsourced employees across Nigeria and Ghana. With six offices strategically positioned across Nigeria – in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt and two in Ghana, HYT has become a formidable force in delivering integrated HR strategy, learning and development solutions, performance management systems, and employee outsourcing services to clients spanning telecommunications, renewable energy, FMCG, e-commerce, and financial services.
Her impact extends beyond operational excellence. A certified SAP HCM consultant with an MBA, Folusho holds professional affiliations with the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), Nigerian Institute of Training and Development (NITAD), and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). Currently serving as Chairman of the HR Committee on two corporate boards, Folusho bridges strategic oversight with hands-on execution, a combination that makes her a powerful voice on leadership, workforce readiness, and people strategy.
Folusho’s work carries particular significance given Africa’s demographic trajectory. With a median age of 19 years, Africa is home to the world’s youngest population, with 60% under the age of 25. By 2030, the continent is expected to account for 42% of the global youth population. This demographic dividend, however, only translates to economic advantage when paired with strategic talent development, precisely the mission Folusho has championed throughout her career.
“Africa’s greatest opportunity lies in its people,” Folusho emphasizes. “At HYT, we have seen first-hand how investing in talent can transform organisations, industries, and nations. When you build people, you build performance, and ultimately, you build value.”
Her facilitation style often described as interactive and energetic, has made her a sought-after speaker and trainer. Folusho has designed and delivered numerous signature programs focused on performance mastery, employability skills, customer service excellence, and women’s career advancement. Her sessions are tailored to inspire action, spark reflection, and build practical skills for long-term transformation, whether addressing middle managers, fresh graduates, or senior leadership.
This commitment to bridging competency gaps finds concrete expression in HYT’s newly launched Employability Bootcamp – a five-day intensive program transforming graduates into workplace-ready professionals. With Nigeria producing over 500,000 graduates annually yet employers struggling to find job-ready candidates, the bootcamp addresses a critical market failure. The first cohort has already achieved a 52% employment rate within two months, with graduates deployed across financial services, FMCG, energy, and tech sectors – tangible proof that strategic intervention can convert demographic potential into economic value.
HYT Consulting’s competitive edge lies in its practical, consultative approach. Rather than relying on theoretical methods, the firm prioritizes needs assessment and deep understanding of client objectives, delivering customized solutions that include cutting-edge e-learning platforms, competency management systems, and comprehensive recruitment services. Operating in accordance with international best practices, HYT holds all necessary regulatory permits and maintains extensive coverage across both West African markets.
Her contributions have not gone unnoticed on the global stage. Most recently, Folusho received the Outstanding Leadership and Talent Development Award at The Corporate Awards in the United Kingdom, a recognition that celebrates professionals demonstrating excellence in business leadership and workforce development. At a related UK engagement themed “Building Future-Ready Workforces,” Folusho joined global leaders to discuss leadership, employability, and workforce competitiveness in emerging markets, further cementing her position as a thought leader in Africa’s human capital transformation.
As Africa’s youthful population continues to expand, the role of human capital strategists like Folusho becomes increasingly critical. Through HYT Consulting and her broader advocacy, Folusho is not just responding to Africa’s demographic potential; she is actively shaping how organizations across the continent transform that potential into sustainable competitive advantage.
