six children and attended the University of Lagos, where she studied Business Administration. After graduating, she worked in the telecommunications industry for several years before starting her own business, a web development and IT consulting firm.
In 2012, Akinfolarin founded the Pearls Africa Foundation with the goal of empowering young girls and women through technology. The foundation provides girls in underserved communities with access to computer training, coding classes, and other STEM education programs.
Akinfolarin’s work has had a significant impact on the lives of girls and women in Nigeria. Many of the girls who have participated in the Pearls Africa Foundation’s programs have gone on to pursue careers in technology and other STEM fields. The foundation has also helped to raise awareness about the importance of girls’ education and the need to bridge the gender gap in the technology industry.
In addition to her work with the Pearls Africa Foundation, Akinfolarin is also involved in several other initiatives aimed at promoting girls’ education and empowerment. She is a member of the board of directors of the Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre, a non-profit organisation that provides training and support for women in technology. She is also a member of the advisory board of the African Women’s Development Fund, a grant-making organisation that supports women’s rights organisations in Africa.
Akinfolarin’s work has not gone unnoticed. In 2018, she was named one of the BBC’s 100 Women, a list of influential and inspiring women from around the world. She was also named one of the 100 Most Inspiring Women in Nigeria by Leading Ladies Africa, a platform that celebrates and showcases the achievements of African women.
Despite the challenges she has faced as a social entrepreneur in Nigeria, Akinfolarin remains committed to her mission of empowering young girls and women through technology. She believes that access to technology and STEM education is essential for girls’ and women’s economic empowerment and for building a more equitable and inclusive society.
In an interview with Forbes Africa, Akinfolarin said, “When you teach a girl how to code, you’re not just teaching her how to code. You’re teaching her problem-solving skills, you’re teaching her how to think critically, you’re teaching her how to be confident in herself and her abilities.”
Through her work with the Pearls Africa Foundation and other initiatives, Akinfolarin is helping to create a brighter future for girls and women in Nigeria and beyond. She is a true inspiration to all those who believe in the power of technology and education to transform lives and communities.
