In the quiet town of Ise-Ekiti, Nigeria, a young Olatunde Akanbi could hardly have imagined the path his life would take. Born into a family where university education was uncharted territory, Akanbi’s journey from a struggling student to an award-winning researcher at one of America’s prestigious universities is a testament to resilience, determination, and the transformative power of education.
As the first generation college student, Akanbi’s path was far from easy. His parents struggled to support his education. In his third year of secondary school, financial constraints forced him to change schools. Undeterred, Akanbi borrowed books to prepare for his West African Examinations Council (WAEC) exams, unable to afford the National Examinations Council (NECO) registration.
“I wrote the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) four times,” Akanbi recalls. “Each time, I exceeded the cut-off requirements but failed the post-UTME exams for the highly ranked Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Nigeria. It was disheartening, but I refused to give up and believed in God.”
His perseverance paid off when he finally gained admission to OAU on merit, after passing the post-UTME during a pre-degree program. To support himself, Akanbi taught extra classes to fellow students, while also securing the Ekiti State and Oodua scholarships given his academic excellence.
Akanbi’s innovative spirit shone through in his final year project – an Android app serving as a mobile information system for Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). This pioneering work predated the FRSC’s current web-based approach, showcasing Akanbi’s foresight in leveraging technology for public service.
Today, Akanbi is pursuing a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) in the United States, where he earlier completed his Master’s degree with a perfect 4.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). His research, which applies advanced geospatial techniques to global agricultural monitoring, has opened to him a number of international doors to present his groundbreaking innovative discoveries at key global conferences in countries like Portugal, Nigeria and Japan and invitations to other countries including Canada, United Kingdom, Netherland among others. He has also received some notable national recognition, including a First Place Award at the prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering Research Center (ERC) Center for Advancing Sustainable and Distributed Fertilizer Production (CASFER) Annual Symposium and the African Community Association Award for excellent African students in Northeast Ohio, United States.
Akanbi’s impact extends beyond academia. He played a crucial role in environmental assessments following the East Palestine train derailment in Ohio, demonstrating the real-world applications of his expertise. As a certified Amazon Web Services (AWS) Solution Architect, he also supports cloud infrastructure operations for 14 countries under the Deeper Christian Life Ministry. Importantly, he is frontier in promoting STEM education by inspiring young future scientists through formal mentorship programs.
“My journey shows that with determination and support, one can overcome seemingly insurmountable odds,” Akanbi reflects. “I’m committed to using my skills to solve global challenges and inspire others from similar backgrounds.”
Akanbi’s story is more than personal triumph; it’s a beacon of hope for aspiring students in Nigeria and beyond. From borrowing books for exams to presenting groundbreaking research at international conferences, his journey embodies the transformative power of education and perseverance.
As he continues his doctoral studies, Akanbi remains focused on bridging the gap between cutting-edge research and practical applications across the world.
“Every challenge I faced has shaped my perspective and fueled my drive to make a difference,” Akanbi says. “I want my story to show young Nigerians that their dreams are valid, no matter where they start from.”
Looking ahead, Akanbi envisions a future where technology and education intersect to drive Nigeria’s development. ‘I see a Nigeria where every child, regardless of background, has access to quality STEM education,’ he says. ‘By harnessing the power of technology, we can create virtual classrooms, provide remote mentoring, and connect our brightest minds to global opportunities. This is how we’ll build the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers who will tackle Nigeria’s unique challenges.’
Olatunde Akanbi’s journey from Ise-Ekiti to the global stage of scientific innovation is a powerful reminder that with determination, support, and access to education, one can indeed change not just their own stars, but potentially the world. “Truly, Education is not a scam!”