Olajumoke Adenowo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Olajumoke Adenowo
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| Born | October 16, 1968 Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
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| Education | Obafemi Awolowo University, Lagos Business School, IESE Business School, Yale School of Management, Harvard Kennedy School |
| Occupation | Architect, Founder of Awesome Treasures Foundation, Author, Radio Host |
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Olajumoke Olufunmilola Adenowo (born October 16, 1968) is a famous Nigerian architect. She is also a successful businesswoman, author, and speaker. In 1994, she started her own company called AD Consulting, which focuses on architecture and interior design.
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Early Life and Learning
Olajumoke Adenowo was born in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Her parents were both university professors. Her mother taught history, and her father taught about crime and justice. She grew up on the campus of Obafemi Awolowo University.
When she was young, trips to Paris and the beautiful Palais de Versailles in France really inspired her. These experiences helped her decide to study architecture. She was very smart and started university at just 14 years old at Obafemi Awolowo University. She finished her first degree in Architecture with honors when she was 19. She even won an award for the best student design! Later, she earned her Masters Degree in Architecture with high marks in 1991.
Olajumoke continued to learn throughout her life. She studied at the Lagos Business School in 2002, the IESE Business School in Spain in 2005, the Yale School of Management in 2016, and the Harvard Kennedy School in 2019.
Her special way of designing buildings is called "NeoHeritage Architecture." This means she uses ideas from old, traditional designs to create new, modern African buildings that are important worldwide.
Her Work in Architecture
After university, Olajumoke Adenowo began her career as an architect. She worked on big projects, like the Federal Ministry of Finance building in Abuja, when she was only 23.
In 1994, when she was 25, she started her own architecture and design company, AD Consulting. Her company has designed and built over 114 projects. These include office buildings, auditoriums, homes, hospitals, and large business areas. AD Consulting has worked with many big companies like Coca-Cola, L’Oreal, Access Bank, and Guaranty Trust Bank.
Important Groups She Belongs To
Olajumoke Adenowo is part of several important professional groups:
- She is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Architects.
- She is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
- She is also a member of the African Leadership Network and the Global Philanthropy Forum.
How Media Sees Her
CNN has called her "Africa's Starchitect," which means she is a very famous and influential architect in Africa. The Guardian newspaper in Nigeria has said she is "the face of Architecture in Nigeria." In 2018, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) recognized her as one of the most inspiring women in architecture today.
Teaching and Books
In 2019, Olajumoke Adenowo became a visiting professor at a university in Germany called Technische Universitat Munchen (TUM). She was honored as a special guest scientist in the university's architecture department.
Her book, “Neo Heritage; Defining Contemporary African Architecture,” is very special. It is the first book by a Black architect to be published by Rizzoli, a famous publisher of art and architecture books.
Other Businesses
Besides her architecture firm, Olajumoke Adenowo also started and managed an oil and gas services company called Advantage Energy.
Speaking to People
Olajumoke Adenowo is known for sharing her ideas on architecture, art, leadership, and helping young people and women. She often speaks at big international meetings and conferences. She has given talks at places like Harvard Business School and MIT.
Since 2011, she has hosted a radio show and podcast called "Voice of Change," where she talks about leadership. She has also been featured by international news outlets like CNN and Fortune magazine.
Helping Others
In 1999, Olajumoke Adenowo started the Awesome Treasures Foundation (ATF). This is a non-profit organization that helps people, and it is recognized by the United Nations. The foundation works in many countries to help create strong leaders for peace and progress. Their goal is to help raise 1,000 leaders by 2030, especially focusing on women and young people.
Awards and Recognition
Olajumoke Adenowo has received many awards for her work:
- The United States Congress honored her in 2023 for her impact on leadership and charity.
- She was named Forbes Woman Africa Entrepreneur of the Year in 2020.
- Forbes Africa listed her among the 50 Most Powerful Women in Africa in both 2020 and 2023.
- She received the New African Woman in Business Award in 2016.
- She was featured in the Hall of Fame at the University of West England, Bristol.
- She is also on the Wall of Fame at Obafemi Awolowo University.
- She was included in "Who Will Be Who in The 21st Century" by the International Biographical Centre in the UK in 1991.
- She received The International Alliance for Women World of Difference 100 Award.
- She was given the Ekiti State Merit Awards in 2014.
- Obafemi Awolowo University named her an Ambassador of Excellence in 2018 for her achievements in architecture and helping women.
Books She Has Written
Olajumoke Adenowo is also an author. Some of her books include:
- Neo Heritage: Defining Contemporary African Architecture
- Beyond My Dreams
- Acts of the Holy Spirit Vol I
- Acts of the Holy Spirit Vol II
- Ruth; Strategic Wisdom to Overcome the Impossible
- Rahab: Wisdom for a Quantum Change
- Tamar: Destiny Attained Against all Odds
- Appointment with Destiny [Volume 1]: The Path to the Throne
- Lifespring: The Mother's Prayer manual
- The Mysterious Seed: Powerful Secrets of Financial Increase
- Designed for Marriage
Personal Life
Olajumoke Adenowo is married to Olukorede Adenowo. They have two sons.
See also
- List of Nigerian architects
