Determined to break the cycle of poverty, she set her sights on education as her path to a better future
From hawking pepper to the global stage… Meet Adeola Olubamiji, the University of Saskatchewan’s first Black Biomedical Engineering PhD graduate
In 2017, Olubamiji made history as the first Black person to earn a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada. Her achievement was not just a personal milestone but also an inspiration for many, especially considering her humble beginnings and the financial struggles she faced while pursuing her education.
From Hawking Pepper to the Global Stage
Olubamiji’s journey reflects the challenges faced by many Nigerian families navigating poverty while striving for an education. Born in Ibadan as the youngest of five children, she learned early about the realities of hardship. “I hawked pepper on the streets of Ibadan as early as age 10 to help my mum,” she recalled. “Being the last child and a girl, I had to toughen up. My mother believed in hard work, and that mindset shaped me.”
Determined to break the cycle of poverty, she set her sights on education as her path to a better future. She earned a degree in Physics from Olabisi Onabanjo University, but her ambitions extended beyond Nigeria. “I told my dad I would get a PhD in Physics like my uncle. I did, but I didn’t want to make bombs. That’s how I discovered Biomedical Engineering. Since Nigerian universities didn’t offer it then, I had to leave.”
Embracing Industry 4.0
As the world shifted toward automation and advanced technologies, Olubamiji recognized the potential of 3D printing to revolutionize manufacturing, healthcare, and the future of work. Rather than following a conventional path, she made a bold pivot. “I knew Industry 4.0 was the future of work,” she said. “In 2011, they announced it and discussed different technologies, including blockchain, artificial intelligence, and 3D printing. I knew I had to position myself in one of these areas. So, I decided to reroute my PhD focus to 3D printing because it was just starting to emerge.”
Olubamiji’s groundbreaking contributions to STEM have earned her numerous accolades, solidifying her position as a leader in advanced manufacturing and 3D printing. She was named one of the 150 Black Women Making Canada Better in 2017 and later recognized as a L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth Honoree in 2019. That same year, she was honored as one of the 27 Influential Women in Manufacturing in the U.S.
Her impact in the field continued to gain recognition, leading to her selection as one of the 130 STEP Ahead Honorees by the Manufacturing Institute in 2020. That year, she was also named among Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in the Life Science and Technology category.
Giving Back: Empowering Black Youth in STEM
After her rise to prominence, Olubamiji turned her influence into action by founding the STEMHub Foundation, a nonprofit aimed at increasing Black representation in STEM. “People wanted young Black individuals to have someone like me in their lives,” she said.
What began as weekend STEM activities with kids in Ontario quickly expanded, thanks to social media. “Community centers started reaching out, asking us to run programs for their youth. If they cannot see us, they cannot become us,” she noted.
STEMHub now offers mentorship for university students, guiding them on course choices and job market competitiveness. Through this platform, Olubamiji continues to open doors for the next generation, proving that representation and mentorship can shape futures. Read More
Credit: Vanguard
