Kehinde Kamaldeen: Equipping Young People With Digital Skills

Mr Kehinde Kamaldeen, managing partner at MALhub, is a product of curiosity shaped by resilience. Raised in an underserved community in Nigeria where access to opportunity was limited, his technology journey was neither straightforward nor privileged. What carried him forward was a deep curiosity about how things work and a determination to create better outcomes, not just for himself, but for others like him.

His educational path reflects this blend of determination and adaptability. While he received formal training in technology, much of his growth came through self-learning and community-driven experiences. In environments where resources were scarce, learning became an act of survival and ambition. That combination of structure and self-direction laid the groundwork for his current work.

Born and raised in Ilorin, Kwara State, the 29-year-old technology and community leader attended Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, where he obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in mechanical engineering and later earned a Bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity from Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin.

He has, through the information and communication technology (ICT), created pathways for others, helping young people learn, build and earn through digital skills.

He chose ICT because he saw it as a powerful equaliser. He said technology gave him access to knowledge, communities, and opportunities that geography could not limit.
Kamaldeen told LEADERSHIP that over the past decade, he has built a career spanning community building, product development, and tech ecosystem development.

He said, “My work consistently centres on access, helping people gain relevant skills, transform ideas into scalable products, and participate meaningfully in the digital economy.
Rather than focusing solely on technology for its own sake, he said his approach emphasises real-world impact and usability.

Kamaldeen said his journey into ICT began about eight years ago, which was driven purely by curiosity.

“Growing up in a resource-constrained environment, I saw technology as a powerful equaliser. A laptop and internet connection represented more than just tools; they were gateways to global opportunities that had previously been blocked by geography.

“Witnessing how digital skills could transform lives made my path clear, and once I saw that impact, there was no turning back”, he added.

He added that his work sits at the intersection of technology, product, and community, pointing out that he specialises in building digital products and programmes that are not only technically sound but also scalable, user-focused, and impactful.

He said, “My experience in product management, digital skills development and ecosystem building has allowed me to help individuals move beyond learning technology to actually using it, to build careers, solve problems and grow sustainable businesses.”

Kamaldeen noted that what continues to drive him is impact, having experienced firsthand how access to the right skills, tools and communities can change a life.

He said, “I feel a sense of responsibility to open doors for others who are watching and waiting for proof that success is possible. Each step forward is not just personal progress, but a signal of possibility to those coming behind him. That sense of responsibility fuels my growth, even when the journey becomes uncomfortable.”

The road, he, however, said, has not been without challenges, noting that building in environments with limited funding, infrastructure and institutional support often meant navigating uncertainty without a clear roadmap.

“Early in my career, I relied heavily on self-teaching and persistence, pushing through moments of doubt, slow growth, and repeated setbacks. These experiences, while difficult, shaped my resilience and reinforced the importance of creativity, collaboration and community”, he said.

The ICT expert explained that he overcame these challenges by leaning into consistency, curiosity, and collective support, saying, “free tools, online resources, mentorship and strong relationships became essential. By breaking large problems into manageable steps and staying patient with the process, I learned that progress, no matter how slow, compounds over time.”

“Through my journey in ICT, I was able to learn that technology alone does not create impact; people do. While technical skills are essential, mindset, empathy and collaboration are equally critical.

“I also learned that learning never truly ends; comfort often signals stagnation, and failure is not an endpoint but a powerful teacher. Above all, I believe that building in isolation limits growth, while communities and shared knowledge accelerate it,” Kamaldeen explained.

To stay relevant in a rapidly evolving field, Kamaldeen said he remains intentional about learning and staying connected to technology and product communities, follows industry leaders, consumes curated newsletters and experiments hands-on with new tools.

“Teaching and mentoring have also become key to my growth, as explaining concepts to others sharpens my own understanding. At the core of it all is curiosity, the same force that drew me into technology in the first place.

Looking ahead, Kamaldeen envisions himself operating more deeply at the intersection of technology, investment and ecosystem building.