Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola is living proof that African women are not just rising, they are courageously rewriting the narrative of leadership and hope.
Her journey is a powerful testament to relentless hope, fearless innovation, and a heart committed to uplifting the unseen and unheard.
Bilikiss’s bold vision and compassionate leadership have breathed new life into communities long ignored, proving that real change flows from love and courage.
Born and raised amidst the vibrant chaos of Lagos, Nigeria, Bilikiss’s brilliance and tenacity propelled her beyond borders, earning degrees from Fisk University and Vanderbilt University, and culminating with an MBA from the prestigious MIT Sloan School of Management.
It was at MIT that her heart opened to the immense potential for change in her homeland, the staggering piles of waste choking Lagos ignited a fierce calling within her to act, to heal, and to rebuild.
In 2012, with remarkable courage and clarity, Wecyclers was born.
What seemed like a simple idea, using cargo bikes and an SMS-based reward system to turn recyclable waste into real, meaningful value, blossomed into a revolutionary movement.
Through Wecyclers, families in the poorest neighborhoods found dignity restored as their efforts earned them essentials like food and airtime.
It was a masterstroke of compassion and innovation that simultaneously healed the environment, uplifted hearts, and sparked hope where despair once lived.
Adebiyi’s transformative work has echoed far beyond Nigeria’s borders, shining a light on what true leadership means.
She has been recognized by MIT with generous grants and honored with some of the world’s most prestigious awards, including the Cartier Women’s Initiative Award for sub-Saharan Africa in 2013.
Wecyclers’ monumental achievement of receiving the King Baudouin International Development Prize in 2018/19 reaffirmed that her vision was nothing short of revolutionary.
In 2020, alongside Fela Akinse, she was named among Africa’s top five waste recycling entrepreneurs, a powerful testament to her unwavering impact.
In 2017, after years of leading Wecyclers to remarkable heights, Bilikiss made the bold choice to step down as CEO and take on a new challenge in public service.
She became the Managing Director of the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK), where she worked passionately to preserve green spaces and led impactful tree-planting initiatives across Lagos.
This transition demonstrated her holistic vision for transformation, one that blends entrepreneurship with community and environmental stewardship.
Today, Bilikiss serves as the Director General of the Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau (LASRAB), continuing her tireless dedication to public service and ensuring that history and culture remain safeguarded for future generations.
In 2025, she shared her powerful journey in her memoir “Crazy Lady”, a heartfelt, raw, and inspiring account of the sacrifices, struggles, and triumphs behind the woman who dared to walk a path few believed possible.
Her story speaks to every dreamer who’s ever felt alone in their vision, a profound reminder that greatness often begins where comfort ends.
Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola is more than a changemaker; she is a force of nature, cleaning the streets, but also cleansing minds and souls.
She is redefining what it means to be an African woman leader: bold, compassionate, relentless, and deeply rooted in love for her people.
Her life’s work is a powerful call to action, inspiring girls and women across the continent to rise with purpose, to challenge limits, and to build a future glowing with promise.
Her legacy is undeniable. Her impact is felt in every corner touched by Wecyclers and in every heart lifted by her story.
Bilikiss is not just shaping Africa’s future; she is igniting a movement of hope, resilience, and unstoppable change.
She is truly one of Africa’s great women, a living symbol of courage and transformative power for generations to come.
