Dr. Adeola Olubamiji: First Black Woman to Earn a PhD in Biomedical Engineering in Canada
Long before she stood at global conferences or led cutting-edge manufacturing teams, Dr. Adeola Olubamiji was a young girl in Ibadan, Nigeria, hawking pepper in the community to keep her family afloat. Today, she is hailed as a trailblazing scientist, STEM leader, and first Black woman with a PhD in Biomedical Engineering in Canada. It is a feat that has inspired thousands of people all over the world. Roots in Resilience April 3, 1985, was the day when Dr. Adeola Olubamiji was born. She grew up in a family that greatly valued education but struggled financially. She began to show her determination to rise above such challenges from an early age. From the bustling streets of Ibadan to the science facilities of North America, she has taken that same determination with her to every establishment that she joined. Having completed a Bachelor’s degree in Physics with Electronics at Olabisi Onabanjo University in Nigeria, she migrated to Tampere University of Technology, Finland, to undertake a Master’s in Biomedical Engineering. Her excellent academic credentials and firm vision led her to the University of Saskatchewan, where in 2017 she made history by becoming the first Black woman to receive a PhD in Biomedical …
Eberechi Eze: Reflecting the Strength and Spirit of the Nigerian Diaspora
In a world where identity and excellence often intertwine, Eberechi Eze stands as a compelling testament to the enduring influence of Nigerian heritage on the global stage. Born to Nigerian parents in Greenwich, England, and now making waves in the English Premier League and international football, Eze’s story is not just one of athletic success—it is a narrative of resilience, cultural pride, and the unrelenting pursuit of greatness. It is, in every sense, the kind of story the Naijaspora Project was created to celebrate. Naijaspora is a privately led initiative committed to showcasing the Nigerian people and their values, highlighting Nigerians at home and abroad who are defining success across various sectors and societies. Eberechi Eze embodies this mission with quiet strength and remarkable grace. Growing up in London, Eze’s path to professional football was far from guaranteed. Like many young athletes, he faced rejection early in his journey. He was released by Arsenal’s academy—an experience that could have easily crushed his dreams. But for Eze, it became fuel. Determined to prove himself, he played for smaller clubs, including Millwall and Queens Park Rangers, where his talent quickly began to attract attention. In 2020, he made the leap to Crystal …
How Joshua Adeyemi is Opening Scotland’s Nature to All, Bringing Healing & Connection
Scotland’s landscapes, its rolling hills, serene lochs, and rugged highlands, are often portrayed as emblematic of national identity. Yet, for many minorities, these spaces have remained culturally distant. Enter Joshua Adeyemi, a Nigerian-born Edinburgh-based outdoor leader and co-founder of Black Scottish Adventurers (BSA), who is changing the narrative one hike, camp, and wild swim at a time. Joshua grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, a tightly knit community but away from natural green spaces. A decade ago, he moved to Scotland, drawn to a new way of life by his brother’s studies. He soon discovered the “right to roam” under Scotland’s Land Reform Act which sparked a transformational love for its outdoors. His first adventure was to Arthur’s Seat where he got to see the beautiful city of Edinburgh. This kick started his great love for the Great Scottish Outdoors. Launching Black Scottish Adventurers In 2022, Joshua Adeyemi and his brother Enoch co-founded Scottish Adventurers, a community-interest company aiming to encourage ethnic minorities to experience Scotland’s wild spaces. What began as social media posts quickly mobilized hundreds of people who also wanted to experience the outdoors. By 2024, this act has attracted around 100 participants monthly from diverse backgrounds. Joshua’s vision …
How Jimi Olaghere Conquers Sickle Cell and Is Giving Others Hope
What does it mean to truly overcome adversity, then use that triumph to empower others? For Jimi Olaghere, it was to turn the lifelong battle of sickle cell disease into a powerful platform for change and innovation. Today, as a father, entrepreneur, and global advocate, he is living proof that a personal cure can become a communal mission. Early Struggles and a Life of Limits Jimi Olaghere was born in Nigeria and later moved with his family to New Jersey at a young age. Jimi spent most of his early years in constant pain and frequent hospital trips. He experienced heart attacks, gallbladder removal, and spent up to 80% of his time bedridden for 35 years. Even something as simple as playing soccer meant needing to take frequent breaks. “Sickle cell was like a dream killer for me,” he recalled later. A Second Chance at Life via Gene Editing In 2019, he enrolled in a clinical trial using CRISPR-based gene editing (Casgevy); the world’s very first officially approved CRISPR therapy. Infused in September 2020, the treatment rolled back the clock by restoring fetal hemoglobin production, essentially putting an end to pain crises and eliminating emergency hospital visits. He is now …
Nneka Leiba: The Scientist behind Amazon’s Push for Safer, Smarter Product
When you click on the button “Add to Cart” on Amazon’s website, you are most likely thinking about convenience, price, or shipping speed. But behind the curtain, one woman is rewriting how those products impact human health and the planet. Her name is Nneka Leiba, a scientist, environmental health expert, and the force behind Amazon’s mission to make shopping safer, smarter, and more sustainable for its consumers. Nneka was born and grew up in Jamaica, and her root is connected to Nigeria. Based on her background, she is making use of a global perspective to cause significant changes in one of the largest retail ecosystems in the world. Growing up, from an island that achieves economic growth while being exposed to environmental vulnerability, she understood very early the interconnectedness of health and environment, and especially for communities vulnerable to climate change. As her own family home continues to grapple with record-breaking heat and raging storms, her mission is somewhat personal: reduce toxic exposures, empower smarter choices, and make sustainability something more than a buzzword. Leiba started her career in 2006 at the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a pioneering non-profit organisation renowned for championing consumer protection against toxic chemicals. Working for …
Breaking a 124-Year Barrier: Jason Jackson Becomes Islington’s First Nigerian Mayor
In a turn of events for historical representation and inclusion, Jason Jackson has been sworn in as the first Nigerian-born Mayor of the Islington borough, founded in 1900. His appointment marks an important milestone in the political history of the borough and offers new inspiration to immigrants and underrepresented communities across the UK. Jason Jackson was born in Nigeria’s Akwa Ibom State and grew up attending primary school and Holy Family College in Abak before relocating in his teenage years to the United Kingdom. His education continued in London, where he graduated in Business Law and Media Studies before undertaking a Master’s degree in Big Data in Culture and Society from King’s College London. Even during his student years, Jackson’s dedication to service was evident. As Students’ Union President at the London Metropolitan University, he paved the way for a professional career founded upon leadership and advocacy. He was voted in as a councillor in 2022 and became Chair of Islington’s Homes and Communities Committee after a year. His rapid political ascension was a result of his hard work and the people’s belief in his vision. Apart from his political duties, Mayor Jason Jackson wears many other hats. He is …
Opeyemi Bright: The Youngest Civic Mayor Redefining Leadership in Barking and Dagenham
At the young age of 29, Opeyemi Bright has left her imprint in the history books of Barking and Dagenham as the youngest Civic Mayor in the borough’s history. Her rise to this great office follows a deserving seven-year public service career marked by purpose, drive, and community engagement. Bright started her political career in 2018, being voted in as the youngest Labour councillor in the history of the borough. Since the age of 22 has continued to make significant contribution, driven by a clear vision for young people’s empowerment, social justice, and economic opportunity. A year after being elected on to the council, she was appointed Chair of the Audit and Standards Committee, an early sign of the confidence that her leadership commands. Opeyemi Bright was born in the United Kingdom to Nigerian parents and her upbringing has shaped into a very active practitioner of public service. Her mother, Dr. Councillor Afolasade Bright, was a one-time Civic Mayor of Hackney, whereas her father, Pastor Gbolahan Bright MBE, is a renowned leader of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. They instilled in her the values of discipline, integrity, and service. These are principles that she upholds even in office. Professionally, …
Favour Ofili: The Sprint Queen Breaking Records and Making History
Favour Ofili is one of Nigeria’s most exciting track sensations and finds a place in history as a record-breaking sprinter. She runs the 100 meters, 200 meters, and 4×100 meters relay and has consistently proven that she can dominate the track. At the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, Ofili made her Olympic debut in the women’s 200m, making it to the preliminary and semi-final rounds with top-three finishes. She then placed an impressive 6th in the Olympic final which is quite an achievement for a first-time Olympian on the biggest stage in sport. Favour Ofili was born on the 31st of December 2002, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. She began her athletic career in 2014 as a secondary school student in Delta State. She was identified by her high school coach, Anne Otutu, who recognised her early potential and ensured that she honed her skills before moving to the United States to continue her education and athletic career. Ofili was already competing at the international level when she was 16, as a representative of Nigeria for the World Relays in Yokahama. She also participated in the 4x100m and 4x400m relays at the African U-18 Championship. Some of her early successes include …
Award-Winning Innovation: Engineer Oluwaseyi Ola Honoured for Mental Health Solutions
Engineer Oluwaseyi Oluwajuwon Ola, the Executive Officer of BossmanSwift LLC, has been nationally recognised with the Trailblazer Award for Cultural Mental Health Innovation. The award is for his innovative work on a digital platform that is transforming African immigrants and refugee youths in America’s access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment. His innovation, the Trusting Cultural Expansion for Coordinated Community Mental Health Intervention (TECCMEH), is unique in that it is culturally driven. As opposed to most other conventional digital tools that adopt generic solutions, TECCMEH had African youths lived experiences, languages, and cultural contexts at its centre. What is revolutionary in TECCMEH is how it bridges culture and technology. With a background in computer science and a passion for community well-being, Engineer Oluwaseyi Ola designed the platform not so much as a technology service in itself, but as an innovation in how mental healthcare is delivered especially to marginalised communities. The platform provides the opportunity for users to access essential services in Somali, Amharic, Oromo, French, and English languages, promoting dignity, comprehension, and trust in all interactions. Apart from the innovation itself, Engineer Oluwaseyi Ola’s mission also demonstrates increasing awareness of the necessity for culturally responsive care within …
Akolisa Ufodike: Changing the Face of Public Policy and Administration in Canada
In the corridors of Canadian public administration, few figures embody excellence, resilience, and leadership like Professor Akolisa Udofike. This legend was born in Maiduguri to parents from Anambra State (Colonel Leonard and Ebele Ufodike). He has risen from the disciplined grounds of the Nigeria Defence Academy Kaduna where he studied Physics to become a pioneering academic, public servant, and policy strategist whose influence spans boardrooms, classrooms, and cabinet rooms. Now a dual-appointed Associate Professor at York University, Ufodike teaches across both the School of Administrative Studies and the School of Public Policy and Administration. His academic presence extends into York’s graduate program in Public Policy, Administration, and Law, where he leads the charge on public sector finance, grooming the next generation of policymakers and fiscal stewards. His achievement does not stop at academia. Prof Akolisa Ufodike holds an MBA from Cornell University, a PhD from Haskayne School of Business, and an alphabet soup of top-tier certifications: FCPA (Canada), CPA (U.S.), FCCA (UK), a Certified Fraud Examiner, and a Certified Director (ICD.D) through the Institute of Corporate Directors that speaks to both the breadth and depth of his financial and governance expertise. Before embracing academia, he clocked over 25 years as …
