Ife Bolaji is an accomplished microbiologist and contamination control expert with nearly two decades of experience across the healthcare, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries in the UK, Canada, and the United States. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from the University of Ilorin, Nigeria; a Master’s in Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology from the University of Westminster, England; and a Postgraduate Certificate in Biomedical Science from the University of Ulster, Northern Ireland.
In her professional role as a Quality Senior Manager – Contamination Control Strategy at a leading global biotechnology company, Ife is known for her expertise in pharmaceutical microbiology, contamination control, quality risk management, and validation. She is dedicated to ensuring the highest standards of safety and quality in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
As Founder and Director of STEMseedlings, Ife brings this same commitment to inspiring and equipping the next generation of scientists and innovators. Through mentorship, outreach, and community engagement, she empowers young people – especially pre-teens and teenagers – to explore and thrive in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Outside of her work, Ife enjoys spending time with her family, exploring national parks, and keeping her curiosity alive through scientific reading and nature walks. She believes that by planting seeds of curiosity and confidence, we can grow a brighter future – one young mind at a time.
Wale Bolaji is an internationally experienced finance and strategy leader with over two decades of leadership in Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. Throughout his career, he has led complex financial planning, built high-performing teams, and driven enterprise-wide transformation within banking, oil & gas, advisory, and financial services sectors.
As Executive Director of STEMseedlings, Wale brings a deep commitment to financial stewardship, organizational excellence, and meaningful social impact. He leads the organization’s mission to spark curiosity, inspire innovation, and expand access to STEM learning for young people-particularly those from underserved communities. Under his leadership, STEMseedlings is nurturing a new generation of thinkers, problem-solvers, and creators through hands-on learning and strategic partnerships.
A Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CGA – Canada) and Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (UK), Wale also holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Applied Accounting and Statistics, and an MBA in Financial Services. His professional background includes leading roles in financial planning & analysis, accounting advisory and remediation, and ERP transformation within multinational environments.
Outside of work, Wale is passionate about mentorship, community development, and exploring the intersection of education, culture, and technology. He enjoys music, travel, and spending quality time with his family.
Ademola Obayan is a business and insurance professional with more than a decade of experience across three continents. He has worked with leading companies including AT&T, Best Buy, Penny’s Logistics in the UK, and Global Fleet Oil and Gas Ltd in Nigeria, building expertise in customer experience, sales, and business development.
He holds a Master’s degree in Oil and Gas Management from the University of Plymouth, UK, and a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Covenant University, Nigeria. At STEMSeedlings Hub, Ademola draws on his leadership and community service experience to expand access to STEM opportunities for young learners.
Michael Adelure is a licensed Professional Engineer with a diverse background in process engineering, advanced process control, automation, data analysis, and software development. He currently serves as a Process Control Engineer with HF Sinclair in the United States, where he applies his expertise to optimize industrial operations, enhance reliability, and drive continuous improvement.
Michael’s career spans over a decade across leading organizations in North America and Africa, including Suncor Energy, TechnipFMC, Source Energy Services, Nigeria LNG, and Nexen Energy. His experience covers process safety management, control systems, commissioning, and large-scale energy projects. He has also worked extensively on carbon capture and storage (CCS) research at the University of Calgary.
In addition to his engineering expertise, Michael is skilled in software and data solutions, with hands-on experience in full-stack development (JavaScript, React, Node.js, Python, Django, C++/Java, MongoDB, MySQL) and familiarity with AI/ML applications. This unique blend of technical and digital skills positions him at the intersection of engineering innovation and technology.
Michael brings to STEMSeedlings Hub a passion for mentorship, STEM education, and community development. His international experience and multidisciplinary approach help inspire young learners to see the endless possibilities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. He is deeply committed to fostering safe, sustainable, and future-focused solutions while empowering the next generation of innovators.
