Jelilat Adesiyan is reshaping the landscape of education and employment through a trio of bold ventures – Onamini, Qhub, and CoHive Network. At a time when traditional pathways are failing to prepare students for modern careers, she is offering a dynamic alternative: real-world experience, entrepreneurial tools, and a global community for self-driven growth.
Her platforms aren’t just matching students with gigs – they are helping a generation discover their voice, skills, and power to create lasting change.
We sat down with Jelilat to learn more about her inspiration, the evolution of her ventures, and how she’s building systems that unlock potential across borders. Here’s what she had to say.
Onamini is a powerful platform connecting students with short-term work opportunities. What inspired you to create or support this kind of model, and what gap were you aiming to fill in the market?
Onamini was founded in 2022. It was born out of a simple yet profound realization: there’s a huge disconnect between what students study in school and what the workplace actually demands. While completing my PhD coursework, I researched how well university programs were preparing students for the workforce and discovered that even some of the best institutions hadn’t updated their curricula to reflect modern industry needs.
That gap became the seed of Onamini. I wanted to create a platform where students weren’t defined by their majors or limited by their formal education. With Onamini, they can explore real work in real industries, even outside of their degree, before they graduate. It’s not just about gigs. It’s about giving students a chance to learn by doing, to test drive different paths, and to build confidence in the process.
With over 10,000 gigs completed and students from 200+ universities, what do you think has been the key to building trust on both the student and business sides?
Trust comes from intentional design and consistent delivery. On the student side, we emphasize accessibility and skill development. Students see that we’re not just offering transactional gigs, we’re investing in their growth and helping them build portfolios that lead to long-term success.
For companies, we offer curated matches and a system that’s easy to navigate. They’re not just hiring random interns; they’re connecting with engaged, curious, and motivated students who are there to learn and contribute meaningfully.
At the heart of it all is transparency. We’re honest about expectations, timelines, and outcomes, and we’ve built systems that encourage feedback on both sides.
Can you share a success story or two that really captures the impact of the platform — either for a student or a company partner?
Absolutely. One of my favorite stories is of a student in Nigeria studying mass communication who used Onamini to take on a data analytics project with a fintech company in the U.S. He had never considered a career in data science before but found it fascinating. That one project turned into multiple gigs in the same field, and today, he’s working full-time as a data analyst while completing his degree.
Another story I love is about a small company that was struggling with UX design. They connected with a student from Brazil who had only worked on personal projects before. That student not only improved their user flow but also redesigned their mobile interface, which they still use today. The company has since returned to hire more students from Onamini.
Stories like these prove that talent is everywhere. Opportunity just needs better distribution.
How do you ensure quality and reliability when working with such a large and diverse student base? What does the vetting and verification process look like?
We take a layered approach to quality control. Every student goes through a guided onboarding process where they set up a profile, share their interests, and upload samples of their work (or complete short assessments if they’re just starting out).
From there, we rely on performance ratings, feedback loops, and mentorship. Companies can review students, and we flag consistent high performers as “Verified Talent.” We also intervene when needed to ensure both parties have a positive experience.
It’s not about filtering for perfection, it’s about creating a space where growth, effort, and reliability are visible and rewarded.
Many platforms struggle with user retention. What features or strategies has Onamini implemented to keep students and companies coming back?
We focus on relationship-building over transactions. Students who complete gigs unlock new tiers, get access to exclusive opportunities, and receive personalized career recommendations. They’re also encouraged to build out dynamic portfolios right on the platform, which serve as real-time resumes.
For companies, we make onboarding and posting projects seamless. We also offer recommendations based on past hires, team-building tools, and eventually plan to integrate subscription models for recurring talent needs.
Above all, we listen. Regular user feedback informs everything we build, from the dashboard UX to the way gigs are matched and managed.
Onamini seems to offer more than just gig listings – it helps students build portfolios and connect with future employers. How does this tie into your broader vision with Qhub, Onamini, or CoHive Network?
All three platforms are part of a shared mission: to remove the barriers that stop people from becoming who they truly want to be.
Onamini helps students gain exposure and try different paths.
Qhub is where they learn to study better, learn with a community of other learners, and access curated resources.
CoHive Network, our newest product still in its pre-seed stage, is where innovators build ideas into reality, even if they’ve never done it before.
Each one serves a different stage of personal and professional growth. Together, they’re part of what I like to call a universe of empowerment, where people aren’t boxed in by degrees or titles, but are free to explore, build, and thrive.
As someone involved in multiple ventures, how do you see platforms like Onamini influencing the future of work, especially for Gen Z and students?
In my experience, Gen Zs don’t want to be defined by a job title, they want purpose, flexibility, and impact. Onamini is designed to align with that mindset. It gives them space to try different things, learn across disciplines, and adapt as the world around them evolves.
We’re also showing companies how to rethink talent. The future of work isn’t about filling roles, it’s about finding potential, passion, and people who are willing to learn fast and grow with you. That’s what Onamini makes possible.
I believe platforms like ours will be a cornerstone of the new work economy, where career discovery and creation happen at the same time.
Looking ahead, what are your next goals for Onamini and your other ventures? Are there any upcoming features or expansions we should be watching for?
For Onamini, one of our next steps is to offer skill-building micro-courses that help students sharpen their abilities before applying to projects. We want students to be able to have a modicum of confidence beyond what they already have when applying for gigs. Additionally, these courses will have certifications that can be added to their profile to provide employers with a modicum of ease. We hope these certification badges will help them trust newer applicants better.
Additionally, we’re working on AI-driven gig matching, a collaborative learning feature, and partnerships with universities to integrate our platform into career readiness programs.
With CoHive Network, we’re preparing for a waitlist launch next year. It will help anyone with an idea turn it into a fully built-out project using AI, templates, and a step-by-step builder. We want to lower the barrier between ideation and execution and democratize innovation.
And with Qhub, we’re working on enhancing the learning experience with curated idea incubators and peer coaching pods.
Ultimately, all of these are vehicles to fulfill one mission: help people believe in themselves enough to try, learn, and build. Because when that happens, the world changes.
From the editor…
Jelilat Adesiyan isn’t waiting for institutions to catch up – she’s building what they haven’t. Her ventures are proof that when opportunity is made accessible, potential becomes unstoppable. Whether it’s through a student landing their first gig, an idea evolving into a business, or a learner discovering a new path, the ripple effect of her platforms is undeniable.
As the world rethinks education and employment, Jelilat is already ahead, designing a future where everyone gets to build, grow, and thrive on their own terms.
Learn more and visit https://onamini.com
Published: Jan 14, 2025
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