CrispNG Youth of the Month: Meet Adeola, the 19-yr-old breaking barriers in politics
At 18, Adeola Bakare was challenged to change the status quo. A firm believer in the right to vote and be voted for, she withstood intimidation from opponents, called the naysayers’ bluff, and emerged as the Vice President of the Department of Philosophy at Lagos State University (LASU).
Like Kamala Harris, being Vice President wasn’t enough to actualise the vision she had for students, especially academically and beyond. Once again, she took a stand against an even more stronger opponent, someone who could be described as the “chosen one,” a people’s man. With only her works to speak for her, and the support of women—who says women don’t support women?—a female president emerged for the first time in a long time.
CrispNG Youth of the Month for September is Adeola Zainab Bakare, a young lady who believes in leaving legacies in leadership. In this interview, Adeola takes us on a journey into the world of leadership from her own small, yet significant, corner.
Can we meet you?
I am Adeola Zainab Bakare, a 300-level student in the Department of Philosophy at Lagos State University. I’m 19 years old.
Could you walk us through your journey to becoming the president of your department?
I was driven to join politics by two main reasons. The first stems from an experience I had in my 200 level. During class, as my Head of Course was campaigning for the position of Welfare Director, I jokingly announced my intention to run for Vice President. To my surprise, after the class, a fellow student approached me and asked me to step down because he was also vying for the position and already had the backing of key stakeholders. He doubted my chances of winning, but I was resolute. I believe that everyone has the right to vote and be voted for, and I saw his approach as a challenge.
However, I soon realized that being challenged shouldn’t be my only reason for contesting. I needed to consider how I could genuinely benefit the students if I were to become Vice President. According to our constitution, the Vice President’s primary role is to enhance academic excellence. I noticed that many students were struggling with some courses, so I decided to work on that.
To prepare myself, I studied the duties of the Vice President and reflected on my experiences with challenging courses like Logic (Critical Thinking) in my 200 level. My struggles made me passionate about helping students achieve academic success. This motivated me to run for office. After just two weeks of campaigning, I secured 123 votes against my opponent’s 60. My victory was largely due to the relationships I had built with 100-level students before the campaign, providing them with extra lessons and study materials.
Serving as Vice President wasn’t too difficult for me because I had learned that time management is key in leadership. My to-do lists kept me organized and focused on what mattered, allowing me to balance my academics and leadership responsibilities effectively.
Looking at the history of former Vice Presidents, I knew I wanted to leave a different kind of legacy. I believe that wherever you find yourself, you should leave a mark that people will remember. Together with my team, we organized a symposium titled “Academic Excellence and Beyond” on June 25th, 2024. It was the first of its kind in 30 years, attracting over 600 participants. We had prominent speakers like Olufowobi from Ray Power, Mr. Oseni, Head of Special Intervention at LASU, and other notable figures who enlightened us on life beyond academics. This event was designed to show that students can achieve great things outside the classroom.
It wasn’t easy running for President, especially as a female. My opponent was the Head of Course, which gave him significant influence and visibility. Despite many people doubting my chances, I wasn’t deterred. I focused on what needed to be done, and in the end, I won with over 100 votes compared to my opponent’s 53.
To the students who supported me, I promise to prioritize academic excellence and foster an inclusive and supportive community. I will listen to your ideas and aspirations, and I am committed to making financial aid available for students in need.
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Are you the first female president of your department?
No, we’ve had a female president before, who is now a lecturer in the department.
How do you plan to fulfill your campaign promises?
I’ve already started working on them. Several companies pledged their support even before my inauguration, including Green Reach, which has released funds for our initiatives. We’re also collaborating with non-governmental organizations like the Cakasa Ebenezer Foundation, whose primary goal is to assist students. We’ve reached out to these organizations and well-placed individuals for additional support.
We’ve created compendiums from 100 to 200 level, with researchers developing notes based on the course outlines. These are accessible online to all students, and we also organize physical tutorials.
Do you think young people, especially females, are interested in leadership?
Yes, definitely. After I became president, many students reached out to me, expressing how I had inspired them. They want to be involved in future activities and have shown a strong desire to work with me, even as volunteers. I see a lot of passion and zeal among the students, and with the right environment, they can excel. However, some female students feel intimidated, which is why it’s important to create a supportive atmosphere. Many female students voted for me because they had seen other women being ridiculed and wanted to support someone who could represent them well.
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In what areas do you think Nigerian youths need to improve?
Nigerian youths need to focus more on seeking mentorship. As one philosopher said, walking a path without a guide is like walking aimlessly. My mentor, Mr. Taiwo George, an alumnus of our department, has been instrumental in my journey.
How has your involvement in leadership impacted your life?
Leadership has opened up numerous opportunities for me, from networking to career advancement. It has increased my influence and built my confidence. I’ve also developed emotional intelligence, learned from failures, and become more resilient and adaptable. Organizing the symposium and serving as Vice President allowed me to connect with special advisers to the governor and other influential people who have significantly impacted my life. As an aspiring journalist, these experiences have been invaluable. Leadership has also taught me to stand up for what is right and to remain confident, even in the face of challenges.
Do you think women and girls in Nigeria are given a level playing field in leadership and politics?
Yes, I do believe women in Nigeria have a level playing field in politics, though there is still room for improvement. We have examples like Right Honourable Shonorogun Itomuoluwa, the first and youngest female Lagos State Youth Parliament Speaker, and others like Natasha Akpoti and Oluwaseun Oshowobi. Women are being given opportunities, but it’s important that we start changing the narrative that women are not capable. Capability is about action, and it’s high time we started demonstrating that.
During my campaign, there were attempts to intimidate me because I’m a woman, but my past achievements spoke for me. We need to focus on showing what we can do, rather than being held back by outdated perceptions.
Do you think the Nigerian environment encourages women in leadership?
The environment in Nigeria can be challenging for women in leadership because of deep-rooted cultural norms that often see women as the weaker gender. Leadership is about legacy, and the women who have gone before us have a responsibility to leave behind a positive legacy. Misusing funds or power can create obstacles for future female leaders. Additionally, the timing of political meetings—often late at night—can be difficult for women with family commitments, which can inadvertently sideline them.
Women in leadership need to lay a foundation that encourages the acceptance of more female leaders by showing that we are capable and committed.
Who are some of the people you look up to?
I admire Mrs. Elizabeth Aanuoluwapo James, Michelle Obama, Malala Yousafzai, Amina Mohammed, Yara Shahidi, Funmi Iyanda, Ibukun Awosika, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
In five years, I see myself as a female leader who stands up for what is right, supports female education, and helps children in need. I grew up in Agege and attended Girls Senior High School, Agege. Through the Ornament of Grace and Virtue (OGAV) camp organized by Mrs. Busola, who resides in Canada, I received a scholarship from the Cakasa Ebenezer Foundation, which has been sponsoring my education since SS1. This experience instilled in me the importance of giving back to society, which is one of my core goals.
I also see myself as a journalist, dedicated to speaking the truth and standing up for what is right.
What’s your advice to young ladies and youths entering leadership?
My advice to young people entering leadership is to be prepared to take risks and embrace failure. It’s also essential to be your authentic self. As Socrates said, “Man, know thyself.” When you understand your strengths and weaknesses, you can perform better. Stay curious, keep learning, and be resilient and consistent. We are innovators and change-makers, so we should keep shining and never lose sight of our vision. Always keep pushing forward.
EDITOR’S NOTE: CrispNG’s Youth of the Month is an initiative to celebrate Nigerians bracing the odds and contributing positively to society. The recognition, which holds monthly, spotlights vibrant Nigerians who have either used their resources or skills to create value, while also inspiring others in the process.
