Olin Africa Business Club Co-Presidents: Folakemi Ajoni and Abdul Oganla
OABC Goals: To make the OABC forum the biggest student-led conference in the Midwest.
Meet Fola!
My name is Fola, and I am a 2nd-year MBA student. I am from Nigeria and the 2nd child of two. Growing up, I loved science and joined my sister in her advanced science classes (my sister was my hero as a child!). I graduated high school a year earlier to study chemical engineering for my undergraduate degree. Eventually, I ended up working in the energy space. I currently serve as the co-president of Olin Africa Business Club (OABC). My tenure as the co-president of OABC has been quite interesting – I came into the position as a challenge to myself to take on more leadership roles, and it has been an experience I’ll forever cherish.
Fun facts – This is always a callous question! Lol. My Instagram feed is filled with videos of babies, pups, and perfumes – so I guess those are my three favorite things, not like I was asked.
I love being a couch potato; I can go days without leaving my couch! (I don’t, but I can). However, one thing that takes me off my couch is food! I LOVE to eat – I always look for the next best restaurant around me.
I recently picked up reading again and love every bit of it.
Club Initiatives – Recognizing the importance of supporting and empowering African talent, OABC’s initiatives foster community, provide valuable resources, and facilitate professional and personal growth for Africans in Olin.
One of our primary initiatives at OABC is to provide a forum for students and professionals to gain insights into African economies’ unique challenges and opportunities. We do this annually through our business forum, which features guest speaker events, panel discussions, workshops, and cultural displays, allowing our members to learn from industry experts and thought leaders who share their expertise on various aspects of African business.
Life outside Olin – Again, couch potato! Lol. But seriously, I’m in my era of personal growth and building relationships. So, I’ve been traveling outside St. Louis to visit friends and family in other states, and I’ve just generally identified ways to be a better person to those around me. My mantra for the year has been “Better than yesterday, but not as good as tomorrow.” I hope to look back at myself next year and be proud of who I’ve become!
Meet Abdul!
Growing up in Lagos, Nigeria prepared me for the challenges and opportunities that shaped my journey. From navigating bustling streets to honing my skills on the soccer field, I embraced the vibrant energy and competitive spirit that defined my upbringing.
From an early age, my passion for soccer burned brightly. I dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player, dedicating countless hours to training and perfecting my craft. However, fate had other plans, as injuries sidelined my aspirations and forced me to confront a new reality upon my arrival in the United States.
Undeterred by setbacks, I embarked on a new path after moving to the United States on a full-ride soccer scholarship twelve years ago. Here, I discovered a world of possibilities beyond the confines of the soccer pitch. Fuelled by a relentless drive to succeed, I ventured into entrepreneurship, leveraging my love for food and sports to forge my path.
I seized opportunities to establish franchise stores of one of the biggest fast-food chains, harnessing my business acumen to create thriving ventures. Moreover, recognizing the transformative power of sports and education, I founded a student-athlete recruiting program. Through this initiative, I have secured over $3,000,000 in scholarships for talented African student-athletes, empowering them to pursue their dreams on and off the field.
My journey is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the unwavering pursuit of excellence. With each challenge encountered, and triumph achieved, I remain steadfast in my commitment to positively impacting and inspiring others to reach their full potential.
Fun Fact:
- I have never been to any other African country aside Nigeria (hopefully changing that this year though)
- I eat rice every day.
- I won a state-wide taekwondo competition when I was 9 years old.
- I am quite good at table tennis (ping-pong).