Bisi Akin-Alabi was Special Adviser to former Governor Abiola Ajumobi on Education, Science and Technology. She has over 20 years of experience as an educator, administrator, and education consultant. She is passionate about creating a sustainable learning culture and access to equitable and qualitative education for all. In this interview by SEGUN KASALI, she spoke about her experience growing up, women representation, and other issues.
How was growing up like for you?
Growing up was tough and exciting at the same time. I grew up in Ibarapa Local Government Area of Oyo State and was born during the civil war. It was in a rural area and everyone was running away from the city centre.
I started my primary education at the African Primary School, Eruwa. I went on to St. Michael’s Primary School. From there, I proceeded to Anglican Grammar School, Orita Mefa, Ibadan.
I remember when I was about five or six months old, our neighbour had registered her daughter for the Baby of the Year (Ibarapa division) competition organised by Pears. That was in 1968. I was playing outside when my elder sister was told by our neighbour to dress me up for the competition. My sister could not dress me up because our room was locked. What she did was to dust me up, and when we got there, the organiser saw me and asked who brought this baby. My sister said she did. They then asked if she was part of the competition, she said no. There and there, they changed my clothes, and I won the competition. That was how I became the Baby of the Year.
My parents used to tell me this story over and over again. I was told I was a cute baby and people always wanted to carry me wherever they carried me to.
So, growing up, I always carried favour due to my personality and physical appearance.
You must have taken these personality and physical appearance from either of your parents.
My father was an intelligent soldier. I can say that I took my flair for academics from him. And my looks, I took from my mother. I have always been a leader, even as a child. I have always been leading. I took my dad’s strongheadedness. He was very individualistic and stubborn.
Were you an ‘A’ student during your school days?
I was intelligent. I have a photographic memory, even up till now.
When I started primary 1, my brother was in primary 3 in the same school. When they dropped us at school, I would not sit in my class. I would cry and follow my brother to his class. I would stay by the window because I was not a member of his class and listened to everything they were taught.
There was a day they did a test and all of them failed. I raised my hand from outside the window and the teacher asked me what the answer was. Surprisingly, I answered the question correctly. Due to that, they brought me inside the class and that was how I was recognised as an academically sound child.
What informed your choice of studying at the University of Lagos (UNILAG)?
I found myself studying botany. I could have studied something else. My father wanted me to become a medical doctor, but I did not like that profession because of the vulnerability of patients. I am a very emotional person and felt I would become attached to patients.
I wanted to be a pharmacist but did not score enough high marks in JAMB to be admitted to the course. So, due to the closeness of botany to pharmacy, I chose botany.
How were you able to navigate academics and social life at UNILAG?
I was an all-round student. I was the social secretary of Queen Amina Hall. I used to mobilise ladies whenever there was a riot and that was why they called me Lady Stone. I used to be close to the then University of Lagos Student Union (ULSU) social secretary, whose nickname was Stone. Hence, they gave me the nickname.
You still remember some of the actions?
Oh yes. There was a time we used to have a meeting called Congress, where student leaders spoke to the Vice Chancellor and the Senate. I remember being in one of these meetings, and it was my turn to speak. When I spoke, the VC said “Who is this girl?” They told him she was the social secretary of Queen Amina Hall. He said, “O social lo to” (She is really social).
UNILAG was a small place then. We enjoyed ourselves. During our time, we vowed not to extend demonstrations to the next day. We suppressed those who caused trouble in school. We knew them and were settling them. We did not shut the school for one day during our time.
Then, we had Olu 70 (Olu Shodinmu). He was our hero because he was a member of ULSU before he joined the Students’ Affairs. He was like a big brother to us. He helped us to solve all the issues.
Any regret studying botany?
No. I believe so much in divine steps. I believe the Lord ordered my steps to study botany. Everyone looks at me and says you are looking great. The majority of what I use on my skin and face, I make them myself. I manufacture my own cosmetics. You can ask my children — if anything is wrong, I know what to do and would tell them. Even my son, who is a medical doctor, I am his doctor. During COVID, I sold a lot of detoxifiers. I sold a lot of things and helped people with their health.
I now have an MSc in Public Health from King’s College. So, it has been a good trajectory for me. Studying botany gave me a strong foundation.
Did life present this to you after UNILAG?
When I graduated from UNILAG, I still wanted to study pharmacy. So, I matriculated in Ife but did not graduate. Not too long from then I went to the United Kingdom. I was also a very passionate young lady looking for love.
There is still no true representation of women in decision-making in Nigeria. What is your take on this?
This is something that concerns me a lot. We are the mothers of decision-makers. We carried them in our wombs and managed them. And you know what? Women are fantastic managers. Unfortunately, I am saddened by the reality of what happened, say 10 – 16 years ago in Nigeria, considering women who were given opportunities but performed worse than men while in office.
But, we need to also understand that women are not asking for a lot. I would like to appeal to the current government, which I believe is a friend of women. President Bola Tinubu impacted many people during his campaign. President Tinubu made me. I am one of the people he made.
What do you mean?
He made me switch my career to education. He advised me to change my career and do the PGCE. According to him, education was the future. He said this to me in the United Kingdom while he was in exile. He asked Jack Straw who was the Home Office Minister for the UK Secretary at that time what advice he could give me and he said education.
During that time, I used to supply his meals from my restaurant in the UK. I went ahead and did what he asked me to do, and I was better for it. I won many awards therefrom. He knows how to pick talents and see what others don’t see in people.
Do you think Nigeria will have a female president one day?
Yes. I would love Nigeria to have a female president. It might look impossible now. I believe there are still many obstacles against women in Nigeria. That said, we should not rest on our oars but continue to strive for better recognition in decision-making.
However, it is important to note that you don’t need to be in government to contribute your own quota.
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