Adetola Ariyike Salau
Adetola Salau | |
|---|---|
 STEMM Education Advocate | |
| Special Adviser on STEMM Education and Corporate Sector Engagement to the Minister of Education | |
| Assumed office July 2025 | |
| Minister | Maruf Tunji Alausa |
| Special Adviser on Education, Policy Formulation and Human Capital Development to the Governor of Kwara State | |
| In office November 2023 – 2025 | |
| Governor | AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq |
| Senior Special Assistant on Education to the Governor of Lagos State | |
| In office 2020–2023 | |
| Governor | Babajide Sanwo-Olu |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 June 1977 Elizabeth, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Education |
|
| Occupation | Educator, engineer, author |
Known for | STEM and STEAM education |
Adetola Ariyike Salau (born 24 June 1977) is a Nigerian-American educator, education policy specialist, and author. She has worked in education policy and STEM education in Nigeria and the United States. Salau served as Senior Special Assistant on Education to the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, from 2020 to 2023,[1] and as Special Adviser on Education, Policy Formulation, and Human Capital Development to the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, from 2023 to 2025. Currently serves as Special Adviser to the Honourable Minister of Education on STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences) and Corporate Sector Engagement.[2]
Early life and education
Adetola Ariyike Salau was born on 24 June 1977 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, USA. Her mother is Dr (Mrs) Oreoluwa A. Salau, a climatologist, environmentalist and the first female meteorologist in Nigeria.[3] Her father is Prof. Ademola T. Salau, an environmentalist at the United Nations in New York and the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt. She studied chemistry at Fordham University and later obtained master's degrees in chemical engineering and engineering management from Syracuse University.[4]
Adetola subsequently earned a PhD in Curriculum, Instruction and the Science of Learning from the University at Buffalo, State University of New York. She also holds a mathematics educator licence in New York and has taught in schools and higher-education institutions in the United States, including in New York, California, South Carolina and North Carolina.[5]
Career
New York City
Adetola started her career as a mathematics public-school teacher in New York City and also taught in California, South Carolina, and North Carolina.[4] She previously served as an adjunct lecturer at Fordham University before her appointment as Senior Special Assistant on Education to the Executive Governor of Lagos State in 2020.[2]
Lagos State
In 2020, Adetola was appointed by Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the executive governor of Lagos State, as Senior Special Assistant on Education. She served in the role until 2023, working on education policy, STEM and STEAM education, teacher development and education technology initiatives.[6][7][8]
Kwara State
In November 2023, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the executive governor of Kwara State, appointed Adetola as Special Adviser on Education, Policy Formulation and Human Capital Development. Her portfolio included education policy, STEM and STEAM programmes, digital learning and partnerships within the education sector.[9][10]
Federal Ministry of Education
In July 2025, Maruf Tunji Alausa, the Federal Minister of Education, appointed Adetola as his pecial Adviser on STEMM Education and Corporate Sector Engagement[10]. In the role, she advises the minister on STEMM education and supports engagement between the Federal Ministry of Education and the corporate sector.[2]
Awards and recognition
Salau has participated in several international education and innovation programmes, including the MIT Innovation and Entrepreneurship Bootcamp, the HP Cambridge Partnership for Education EdTech Fellowship and the MovingWorlds Institute. She has also received recognitions including the Ambassador of STEM Award and the Africa Award for Excellence.[11]
Foundation and initiatives
In 2015, Adetola founded Carisma4U Educational Foundation[5], an organisation focused on STEM education, teacher development and educational innovation. The organisation subsequently developed into ELIA Africa,[12] which works in education, leadership, innovation and related capacity-development programmes.
Author
Adetola has authored educational books and resources on STEM and education, including STEM Is Key, STEM Activities in Algebra, Geometry & Personal Finance. In 2025, she published Bridging Two Worlds and Reimagining African Education[13], which examine her professional journey and approaches to education reform in Africa.[5][4]
References
- ↑ Ogunyemi, Ifedayo (2021-04-01). "Lagos partners GIZ Nigeria, US Consulate, German embassy for special learning programmes". Tribune Online. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- 1 2 3 Oboh (2025-07-22). "Education Minister appoints Adetola Salau as Special Adviser on STEMM and Corporate Sector Engagement". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ News, The Champions (2025-08-30). "Nigeria's First Female Meteorologist,Dr Oreoluwa Salau Dies". The Champions News. Retrieved 2026-08-14.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - 1 2 3 Amos, Kobor (2025-06-21). "Dr. Adetola Salau: We must design curricula that challenge gender stereotypes". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- 1 2 3 "Dr Adetola Salau: Empowering African Children With Highly Competitive STEM Skills – THISDAYLIVE". Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ Amos, Kobor (2023-05-07). "Educatial to revolutionise e-Learning in Nigeria". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ "NOSL Drives Road Safety Awareness For 40 Children in Lagos – THISDAYLIVE". Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ Partner (2023-03-16). "Lagos and GetBundi partner on STEM learning, unveil pilot centre". TechCabal. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ "Kwara Gov names STEM expert Dr. Ariyike Salau Special Adviser on Education, other new aides". 2026.
- 1 2 "Green Tomorrow Takes Root in Kwara as Government, Schools Champion Youth-Led Environmental Revolution – THISDAYLIVE". Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ Nigeria, Guardian (2023-02-17). "NerdzFactory Foundation, Access Corporation awards climate change essay winners". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ Reporter, Our (2025-06-18). "Why Africa's education must embrace disruption with vision and courage". The Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ Kwapong, Olivia Adwoa Tiwaah Frimpong; Addae, David; Boateng, John Kwame (2022-05-06). Reimagining Development Education in Africa. Springer Nature. ISBN 978-3-030-96001-8.