Molade Adeniyi urges women to rise, educate themselves, and take leadership roles.
Molade Adeniyi is the CEO of Teach For Nigeria. Before this, she led West Africa Vocational Education (WAVE) for nearly six years, focusing on equipping young people with essential skills. Her tenure at WAVE was marked by growth and impactful initiatives.
In this interview, Mrs. Adeniyi shares her leadership journey, the importance of mentorship for women, and her efforts to empower future female leaders.
Path to Becoming a CEO
Mrs. Adeniyi began her career as an oncologist pharmacist in the NHS, collaborating with healthcare professionals to care for cancer patients. Throughout her 14-year journey in healthcare, she actively sought new learning opportunities, taking on projects in Finance, HR, Procurement, Marketing, and Public Speaking.
After 15 years in the workforce, she was headhunted for a CEO position at an NGO. Initially hesitant, she overcame self-doubt with encouragement from her husband. Once in the role, she realized her diverse experiences had prepared her for leadership. Six years later, after overcoming challenges and achieving milestones, she now leads Teach For Nigeria, again recruited for the position. She attributes her success to dedication, resilience, and a continuous drive to learn.
Women in Leadership
Mrs. Adeniyi emphasizes that women leaders inspire others by sharing their experiences, challenges, and victories. Genuine leadership fosters connection, while mentorship and sponsorship help other women navigate their careers. Women can uplift one another by nominating and advocating for each other in leadership roles.
Unique Strengths of Women in Leadership
She believes both genders are essential for balanced leadership. Women tend to be detail-oriented, lead with compassion, and bring a unique perspective that enhances organizational success.
Overcoming Challenges
Although she hasn’t faced many gender-specific challenges, she recalls an instance where a CEO assumed she was an assistant. By confidently introducing herself and demonstrating competence, she earned his respect. She believes confidence, competence, and maturity help women navigate biases.
Most Rewarding Leadership Moment
For Mrs. Adeniyi, leadership is about helping others reach their full potential. Her most fulfilling moments come from seeing former colleagues thrive and credit her for shaping their professional growth.
Advice for Young Women Aspiring to Lead
She stresses that self-doubt is the biggest obstacle. Women should adopt a learning mindset, work diligently, stay humble, and quickly learn from mistakes. Believing in oneself is key to success.
Balancing Leadership and Personal Life
A strong support system, prioritization, and self-care are crucial. She values personal time, prayer, and the ability to say no to unnecessary distractions.
Accelerating Action for Women
Mrs. Adeniyi embraces this year’s theme, urging swift action toward gender equality. She sees it as a call to actively support women in leadership and remains committed to paving the way for future female leaders.
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