EDK
DOC-GOV-2026-001 · GOVERNANCE
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL · DUE DILIGENCE DOCUMENTATION
Edukrest Limited · Nigeria · 2026
Board &
Advisory
Governance
Structure
A formal overview of the leadership, decision-making authority, and advisory governance framework of Edukrest Limited prepared for investor and accelerator due diligence review.
EdTech · AI · Nigeria
Incorporated Jan 2025
Investor-Ready Documentation
© 2026 Edukrest Limited · All Rights Reserved · Confidential
www.edukrest.com.ng · [email protected]
01
Structure & Authority
Governance Overview
Company Stage & Decision Authority
Edukrest Limited is an early-stage startup currently operating under a lean, founder-led governance model. Major strategic decisions are made jointly by the CEO, Emmanuel Abolarinwa, and the CTO, Samuel Abolarinwa, who together form the founding decision-making core of the company.
Advisory mentors provide guidance that informs decision-making but does not override the founders' authority. Final decisions on all strategic, operational, and financial matters rest with the founding team.
Advisory mentors provide guidance that informs decision-making but does not override the founders' authority. Final decisions on all strategic, operational, and financial matters rest with the founding team.
Governance Model
The current governance model is intentionally lean to maximize agility during the company's early growth phase. The founding team acts as an interim board, combining executive authority with operational accountability across strategy, technology, operations, and finance.
Edukrest plans to transition to a formal board of directors within 12–24 months as the company scales and approaches institutional investment readiness.
Edukrest plans to transition to a formal board of directors within 12–24 months as the company scales and approaches institutional investment readiness.
Founders' Strategic Meeting
Every Wednesday at 7:00 PM
~1 hour duration · Emergency sessions as required
02
Leadership & Authority
Founding Team Acting as Interim Board
Founder · CEO · Co-Decision Lead
Emmanuel Abolarinwa
Chief Executive Officer
Role
Strategic leadership, company vision, product development oversight, investor relations
Decision
Co-leads overall company strategy; holds primary executive authority
Tenure
Founder since January 2025
Co-Founder · CTO · Co-Decision Lead
Samuel Abolarinwa
Chief Technology Officer
Role
Technology strategy, AI integration, platform architecture, engineering leadership
Decision
Co-leads technology strategy and all engineering and systems decisions
Tenure
Co-Founder since January 2025
Operations Lead
Esther Opeyemi A.
Chief Operating Officer
Joined 12 March 2025
Role
Operations management, volunteer coordination, social impact programs, external partnerships
Decision
Provides operational guidance and reports to CEO on all operational matters
Note: Esther is not yet officially listed on CAC company registration records due to timing of onboarding. CAC administrative update is in progress. She is an integral member of the executive team.
Finance Lead
Deborah Damilola A.
Finance Officer / Acting CFO
Joined 12 March 2025
Role
Financial planning, accounting, revenue tracking, ambassador commission payments, compliance
Decision
Provides financial guidance and reports to CEO on all financial matters
Note: Deborah is not yet officially listed on CAC company registration records due to timing of onboarding. CAC administrative update is in progress. She is an integral member of the executive team.
03
Informal Guidance Network
Advisory Mentors
Edukrest Limited benefits from a distinguished network of informal advisory mentors who provide guidance across entrepreneurship, technology, investment, and growth strategy. All advisory relationships are informal in nature — mentors are not officially appointed to any board and their advice informs but does not override the founders' strategic decisions.
| Name | Expertise & Organization | Experience | Mentorship Role | Profiles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Prof. Eguin Evan Chidi
Senior Academic & Entrepreneur
|
Federal Institute of Technology
Founder — PEM Foundation
Biotechnology · Entrepreneurship
|
30+ yrs
Entrepreneurship & startup mentorship
|
Guides technical and strategic decisions; serves as a primary mentor to the CEO. Provides advice on startup scaling, team building, and long-term growth. Instrumental in early-stage company formation thinking.
|
|
|
Prof. Caroline Alenogana
Director of Entrepreneurship
|
Federal University of Technology, Anambra State
Director — Entrepreneurship Center
ICT · Entrepreneurship
|
7 yrs
As Director; also a brand founder
|
Business mentor to the CEO from inception. Reviews company progress at each major milestone and provides strategic guidance on institutional partnerships, growth strategy, and ecosystem navigation. Founder of an independent cosmetic brand.
|
|
|
David Bolariwa
Early-Stage Investor
|
Investment Firm
London, United Kingdom
Investment · Investor Relations
|
Extensive
Early-stage investment & IR
|
Advises the CEO on funding applications, due diligence preparation, and investor relations strategy. Provides international perspective on startup financing and helps connect the company with relevant funding opportunities and investor networks.
|
Advisory Disclaimer: All advisory mentors listed above are informal in their engagement with Edukrest Limited. None are officially appointed to a formal board of directors or advisory board. Their guidance is voluntary and advisory in nature. Final decisions on all company matters rest exclusively with the founding team.
04
Visual Framework
Governance Structure Diagram
Edukrest Limited — Authority & Reporting Hierarchy (2026)
Advisory Mentor
Prof. Chidi
Entrepreneurship
Advisory Mentor
Prof. Alenogana
ICT · Entrepreneurship
Advisory Mentor
David Bolariwa
Investment · IR
---- Informal advisory input (non-binding)
Founder · CEO
Emmanuel Abolarinwa
Strategic Leadership · 70% Equity
CO-LEAD
Co-Founder · CTO
Samuel Abolarinwa
Technology Leadership · 30% Equity
COO · Operations
Esther Opeyemi A.
Ops · Impact Programs
CFO · Finance
Deborah Damilola A.
Finance · Compliance
05
Strategic Roadmap
Future Governance Plans
12–24
Months to formal
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
24
Nigerian states
targeted for expansion
targeted for expansion
2
International markets
Ghana & Benin Republic
Ghana & Benin Republic
4
Advisory board
sectors being explored
sectors being explored
Formal Board of Directors
Edukrest plans to establish a formal board of directors within the next 12–24 months, aligned with the company's transition into a revenue-generating and institutionally investable stage. The board will provide enhanced governance accountability and support major strategic decisions.
Geographic Expansion Goal
The company aims to scale its platform and operations across at least 24 Nigerian states, with further expansion planned into Ghana and the Republic of Benin — establishing Edukrest as a leading EdTech platform across West Africa.
Formal Advisory Board
Edukrest is open to exploring the recruitment of formal advisory board members across four key domains: Education, AI & Technology, Startup Growth, and Finance & Investment — to strengthen its governance and strategic guidance network.
06
Culture, Values & Impact
Notes & Social Impact
Team Culture Over Hierarchy
Edukrest deliberately emphasizes a culture of collaboration, mutual respect, and shared mission over rigid hierarchical structures. Decisions are made with the team's collective input, while final authority rests with the founding leadership.
Mentor-Informed, Founder-Led
Advisory mentors provide invaluable guidance and perspective, but the strategic compass of Edukrest is always held by its founders. This ensures that the company's vision remains consistent and aligned with its founding mission.
Employee Equity & Incentives
As part of future governance and retention strategy, Edukrest plans to establish a 5% employee share pool (ESOP) — designed to align long-term incentives, reward key contributors, and build a culture of shared ownership and commitment.
© 2026 Edukrest Limited · All Rights Reserved · Confidential