Meet Bolanle Adewusi

We were lucky to catch up with Bolanle Adewusi recently and have shared our conversation below.

Bolanle, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

If I had to pinpoint where my resilience comes from, it would be the example my father set for me. As a professor at one of Nigeria’s most prestigious universities, his dedication to his work and commitment to lifelong learning—despite already earning both a Master’s and PhD on full-ride scholarship in his twenties—left a lasting impression on me. It wasn’t just his accomplishments and constant drive for growth that inspired me, but the way he faced every obstacle head-on. That shaped my belief that no challenge is impossible to overcome if you’re committed to pushing through.
This belief carried me through my own milestones, like earning my Master’s and PhD in Technology Management. Securing over $400,000 in funding to pursue a PhD program in the United States was no small feat. It tested my determination at every step. There were moments when the journey felt overwhelming, but I always reminded myself of the values my father instilled in me: perseverance, focus, and grit.
My career has been no less demanding. With a background in Computer Science and 17 years of experience in Space Research & Development field and the tech industry, where women are still underrepresented, I had to prove myself repeatedly. Instead of letting those challenges hold me back, I used them as fuel to grow and thrive, knowing I was helping pave the way for others.
That same drive and understanding of the challenges students face to secure funding for their studies led to the launch of The Scholarship Whizz, a platform dedicated to helping students achieve their academic dreams. To date, we have trained over 10,000 students, with a significant number collectively securing more than $5 million in scholarships.
While our work is deeply fulfilling, it hasn’t been without its hurdles. But I’ve learned to embrace those challenges, seeing them as opportunities to grow stronger and make an even greater impact.
So, where does my resilience come from? It’s rooted in the values I inherited from my father, refined by the challenges I’ve faced, and reinforced by my desire to create opportunities for others.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Learning has always been at the heart of everything I do, something I believe we never outgrow, no matter where life takes us. This passion has guided my personal and professional journey, inspiring me to create opportunities for others through education. Today, I’m focused on growing The Scholarship Whizz, a platform I founded four years ago to help students worldwide unlock opportunities for higher education through scholarships because I care about breaking financial barriers, reducing student debt, and empowering individuals to achieve their dreams and build impactful careers.
The journey to creating The Scholarship Whizz began nearly a decade ago when I set out to pursue my PhD in the United States. What followed was a full year of rejections, unanswered emails, and what felt like insurmountable setbacks as I worked to secure funding. After 6 rejections and over 80 unanswered emails, I finally received three fully funded offers totaling $420,000 precisely a year later. It was a challenging but transformative experience that taught me an invaluable lesson: while scholarships are out there, many students don’t access them simply because they don’t know where to look or lack the resources to apply.
When I started sharing my story, I realized how many students faced similar barriers. People were amazed, not just that I received funding to study in the US for free but that I had been paid to do so. The disconnect between available opportunities and the students who needed them most became glaringly clear to me. I knew then that I had to do something about it.
That spark led to The Scholarship Whizz, built with a simple yet powerful mission: to break down barriers and connect students to the funding opportunities that can change their lives. In just four years, we have worked with numerous students and helped them secure over $5 million in scholarships. What excites me most is not just the numbers but the ripple effect, the way one student’s success inspires others to believe in their own potential.
We are only just getting started. To meet the global demand for education funding, we’re expanding our services with an AI-powered tool and a Learning Management System (LMS). These innovations will make it easier for students to find and apply for scholarships tailored to their unique needs while ensuring a seamless and personalized experience.
Beyond The Scholarship Whizz, I’m passionate about creating opportunities for others in every aspect of my work. Through The Innovative Woman Africa Initiative, a nonprofit I founded, I empower African women to excel in tech and innovation, breaking barriers in industries where representation is often lacking.

Looking back, it’s incredible to see how my challenges became the foundation for platforms that currently serve millions. At its core, my work is about building bridges, whether it’s connecting students to funding opportunities, supporting women in tech, or inspiring others to dream bigger. With everything we are building at The Scholarship Whizz, I’m excited to see how we can continue transforming lives, one opportunity at a time.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back on my journey, one that spanned from space research to IT and now running my own startup, I can pinpoint three qualities that have been instrumental in helping me thrive: adaptability, lifelong learning, and teamwork. These aren’t just traits I’ve adopted; they’ve been my guiding principles, shaping every step of my professional and personal growth.
Adaptability was a key lesson I learned early on, especially when I founded The Scholarship Whizz. Stepping into the unknown without prior experience in business management, I had to quickly learn new skills, navigate challenges, and pivot strategies as needed. Rather than resisting change, I embraced it, understanding that each challenge was an opportunity for growth. Starting my own venture was a leap of faith, but it also required me to continuously adapt to new situations. If you’re early in your career, I encourage you to embrace the unfamiliar. Push yourself to step out of your comfort zone, volunteer for new projects, and be open to feedback. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you will grow when you accept change rather than resist it.
Another quality that has been essential to my journey is lifelong learning. I’ve always believed that the path to success doesn’t end with a degree or a job title. It’s a continuous process of growth. For me, that meant investing time in learning new skills, whether through formal education or by seeking out knowledge from mentors and peers. Even after earning a Ph.D degree, I knew that I couldn’t stop learning. The world keeps changing faster than ever, and staying up to date isn’t just an advantage, it has become a necessity. Lifelong learning has allowed me to adapt to new challenges and stay ahead of trends. To anyone starting, my advice is simple: make learning a habit. Read, take courses, and seek out experiences that stretch you. When you make learning a part of your daily routine, you’ll always be prepared for the opportunities ahead.
Lastly, one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned over the years is the power of teamwork. Success isn’t a solo journey. When I reflect on the most rewarding moments in my career, it’s never about one person but about the collective effort of a great team. At The Scholarship Whizz, building a team of passionate, diverse individuals who bring different strengths and perspectives has been key to our growth. But it’s more than just collaboration; it’s about fostering trust and communication, and understanding that each person’s contribution matters. Whether you’re working with colleagues, mentors, or building a team of your own, surround yourself with people who support and challenge you. Don’t be afraid to lean on others and offer your support in return. A successful team is greater than the sum of its parts.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

At The Scholarship Whizz, we understand the growing challenge of rising tuition costs and how it’s becoming an obstacle for students around the world. This is a global issue that requires a collective approach—one that goes beyond individual efforts. We believe that to make a lasting difference, we need to work together.
That’s why we’re looking to partner with colleges, universities, and organizations to create or work with their existing scholarship and funding support centers to assist their student bodies. Our aim is to provide students with the tools, knowledge, and strategies they need to navigate the complexities of scholarships. By joining forces, we can ensure that students have the support they need to pursue their education while enabling them to focus on learning, personal growth, and building a brighter future without the burden of financial stress.
In addition, we’re building a network of experienced consultants to mentor students through the entire process, from finding funding opportunities to submitting applications. If you’re passionate about making education more accessible and want to be part of this impactful initiative, we would love to collaborate with you.
To explore this partnership opportunity and join our mission, please reach out to us at thescholarshipwhizz@gmail.com. Together, we can create a sustainable system that helps students succeed academically while easing the financial strain they face.

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