If there’s one thing the ongoing shift towards a digital economy has proven, it’s the need for businesses and individuals to embrace digital skills and global job opportunities.
As the demand for digital expertise surges, finding the right platform to acquire these skills and match them with real opportunities has become paramount.
This is where Tobi Asehinde, founder of Digital Marketing Skill Institute (DMSI), has made a profound impact.
Through his company, Asehinde has empowered over 115,000 learners across 37 countries in Nigeria and across Africa, helping them thrive in the digital space, either as employees or entrepreneurs. His initiative, Women For Digital, is also a game-changer, training over 7,000 women to break barriers in the male-dominated digital marketing industry and match them with global job opportunities.
Tobi’s foresight and commitment to the digital technology industry have positioned him as a leader in the field, and his ventures are revolutionizing how people access and leverage digital skills in a rapidly evolving market.
Tobi Asehinde, 33 years old born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, is the visionary Founder and CEO of Digital Marketing Skill Institute (DMSI), a global EdTech company that has transformed the careers of thousands of professionals across several countries.
Through his leadership, DMSI has partnered with organizations and individuals, empowering them with the digital skills needed to thrive in today’s economy.
From pioneering digital marketing education to establishing Women For Digital, an initiative designed to train and match underserved women with global job opportunities, Tobi’s mission has always been to democratize access to digital skills and employment.
Today, over 61.7% of the program’s 7,000+ beneficiaries are earning sustainable incomes in the digital economy.
His commitment to unlocking the potential of digital technologies has cemented his place as a leader in the digital revolution, paving the way for a future where talents are nurtured and opportunities are limitless.
Here is the story of the man who is shaping the future of digital education and empowering a new generation of entrepreneurs and professionals.
Education
Tobi Asehinde developed a strong passion for technology early in life. This early love for computers not only shaped his career path but also inspired his deep commitment to leveraging technology to empower others through digital marketing and education. His natural curiosity and talent for solving technical problems fueled his interest in technology, laying the groundwork for what would later become a successful entrepreneurial journey.
His journey into the world of digital marketing took shape when he pursued a Computer Engineering at the University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom and graduated with a Master of Engineering in Computer Engineering.
During his studies, Tobi’s entrepreneurial spirit emerged, particularly after a personal setback where he lost money to a digital marketing company while trying to launch an online tourism business.
This experience ignited his interest in digital marketing, prompting him to acquire skills in the field to not only recover but to help others avoid similar pitfalls.
He started small, working on various projects, and soon recognized the vast potential in the digital marketing space.
Over time, he became a sought-after expert, providing solutions for businesses looking to leverage digital tools for growth. His passion for digital transformation, coupled with his desire to make a lasting impact, led to the founding of Digital Marketing Skill Institute (DMSI).
Tobi’s company, DMSI, grew rapidly, expanding its reach across multiple countries and continents. He successfully built a business that not only equips individuals with digital marketing skills but also connects them with global opportunities.
His entrepreneurial journey was driven by the need for flexibility, independence, and the vision to empower people worldwide with the tools they need to succeed in the digital economy.
After completing his degree, Tobi Asehinde returned to Nigeria and embarked on his entrepreneurial path, opting to focus on digital marketing solutions.
He believed this was the best route to create scalable impact, as digital technologies were rapidly transforming industries. His vision led to the founding of Digital Marketing Skill Institute (DMSI), which has since grown into a global leader in digital skills training, with over 115,000 learners across multiple countries.
Tobi’s hands-on experience in navigating both the technical and business aspects of digital marketing laid the groundwork for his later success, as he built his company from the ground up, combining his technical expertise with a passion for empowering others.
Founding Digital Marketing Skill Institute (DMSI)
In 2015, Tobi Asehinde founded Digital Marketing Skill Institute (DMSI) an educational technology company with a mission to help people and businesses unlock the potential of digital marketing.
Having experienced the pitfalls of navigating the online space while setting up an online tourism company, Tobi was determined to create a solution that could empower individuals and businesses to harness the power of digital tools for growth.
DMSI was built around a clear vision: “creating economic empowerment through digital marketing.” Tobi explains this vision as a commitment to helping people tap into the global digital economy by equipping them with in-demand skills that enable them to create jobs and wealth for themselves.
“Digital marketing opens up a world of opportunities for people, whether they want to start their own businesses or work remotely for global companies. I believe that when people are empowered with the right knowledge, they can transform their lives economically,” Tobi shared in a recent interview.
As DMSI grew, Tobi recognized that the digital ecosystem is constantly evolving, and the skills people need must remain relevant.
He adapted by incorporating innovative technologies like AI into the curriculum, ensuring that students are not only learning the basics of digital marketing but also understanding how to apply them in a rapidly changing environment.
A key part of DMSI’s growth was its expansion into new markets. Recognizing the global demand for digital skills, Tobi expanded the institute’s reach across 37 countries and four continents. He also implemented a hybrid model that combined online learning with one-on-one support, ensuring that learners could get the best of both worlds.
“We knew that while digital tools provide great flexibility, many students in developing markets still need human support to trust and adopt these solutions. Our hybrid approach allowed us to meet people where they were, both digitally and physically,” Tobi explained.
In recent years, DMSI has also focused on inclusivity by launching initiatives aimed at empowering women in the digital space.
Through partnerships, including a project funded by the Netherlands government, DMSI is giving thousands of women the skills they need to break into the male-dominated digital marketing industry.
As the world continues to move toward digital solutions, Tobi Asehinde remains committed to his mission of creating economic empowerment, enabling people to thrive in the digital economy, and ultimately fostering financial independence for individuals and businesses alike.
Building a Business without Funding
Unlike many startups that rely on external funding before bringing their products to market, Tobi Asehinde bootstrapped Digital Marketing Skill Institute (DMSI).
By focusing on creating value from the onset, DMSI was able to grow organically without being dependent on investor capital.
In its early stages, DMSI grew by offering practical, hands-on training programs that addressed the growing demand for digital marketing skills across Nigeria and other countries. Tobi’s commitment to delivering high-quality education and creating an ecosystem of employable digital marketers quickly attracted thousands of learners.
“It wasn’t a deliberate decision to avoid funding initially, but we realized that building a profitable and scalable product without being distracted by the pressures of raising capital gave us an edge. Many startups struggle to balance product development with fundraising efforts, and we chose to focus entirely on delivering value to our students,” Tobi said.
By 2022, DMSI had expanded to over 37 countries and developed partnerships with key international organizations like the Challenge for Youth Employment (CFYE), supported by the Netherlands Government.
This initiative enabled the company to train and match 5,000 women with global digital marketing jobs, empowering them to break into the digital economy.
The company’s success didn’t go unnoticed. In 2022 and 2023, DMSI was recognized as one of Nigeria’s Top 100 Fastest Growing Companies by BusinessDay. Tobi’s vision of empowering individuals and businesses with digital skills continues to drive the company’s mission, and his efforts have attracted global recognition.
Under Tobi’s leadership, DMSI is now poised to expand further globally, with registered offices in Nigeria, the UK, and the US.
As Tobi explains,
“Our goal is to build a global educational technology business that can transform lives, helping people from all walks of life tap into the power of digital marketing to create wealth.”
Tobi Asehinde is a sought-after speaker and has shared his insights at several industry events, including Techpoint Africa’s Fintech Summit and other global digital forums.
He was also recently recognized as one of Africa’s most promising young entrepreneurs at the Young Entrepreneurs International Summit.
