Raymond Okoro: The designer who helped build Edutech’s Studio into Nigeria’s alternative to Zoom

By Kelechi Onuwa

When schools and businesses around the world moved online in 2020, platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams became essential. In Nigeria, however, affordability and accessibility posed serious challenges, leaving many users searching for a reliable and cost-effective option.

It was in this climate that Edutech’s Studio, a homegrown virtual learning and meeting platform, emerged. Within its first year, Studio attracted over 5,000 subscribers and hosted more than 3,000 meetings, quickly positioning itself as one of Nigeria’s most significant digital products of the pandemic era.

At the center of this achievement was Raymond Emamezi Okoro, the product designer whose leadership and creative direction shaped Studio into a user-friendly, polished, and distinctly Nigerian platform. Okoro’s role spanned from interface design to branding, ensuring that every element—from the sign-up flow to the live meeting experience—was seamless and accessible.

“Accessibility was at the heart of every decision,” Okoro said. “Zoom was expensive for many families and complex for first-time users, yet the need for connection was urgent. My focus was on creating a product that felt welcoming from the very first click and powerful enough to deliver the quality people associated with international apps.”

This blend of simplicity and sophistication allowed Studio to compete with global platforms while catering to Nigerian realities. Teachers conducted classes, businesses ran meetings, and students joined lessons with confidence. The design was optimized for lower bandwidths yet refined enough to rival international alternatives.

Studio’s growth soon gained recognition. When the platform hit a major subscriber milestone, TechCabal reported on the achievement, highlighting how a small team had produced a product that matched global standards and gave thousands of Nigerians access to professional-grade collaboration tools.

Reflecting on the journey, Okoro noted: “I have always believed design should remove barriers. When someone can connect, learn, or share ideas because the interface feels simple, welcoming, and affordable, the design has achieved its purpose.”

More than just a pandemic response, Studio became a proof point for what design leadership can achieve when vision meets local challenges. By pairing thoughtful branding with accessible, world-class execution, the platform showed that African-built solutions can scale and compete globally.

For Raymond Emamezi Okoro, it remains a defining chapter—a demonstration of how design can lift constraints and open doors for thousands.