Team Details

Ishola Usman Olaide-Adebola is a passionate and dynamic professional whose career and advocacy work embody the intersection of finance, gender justice, human rights, and community development. With an academic foundation in Accounting and a strong commitment to social transformation, Adebola has built an inspiring career that bridges both technical expertise and human-centered advocacy, contributing significantly to the advancement of marginalized groups, particularly women, in Lagos, Nigeria.

Adebola earned a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Accounting from the Université Polytechnique Internationale du Bénin in the Republic of Benin, where they developed a strong foundation in financial management, auditing, and organizational analysis. Their academic pursuit was driven by a desire to combine professional accounting knowledge with social impact—an ambition that continues to shape their professional journey today. Adebola is also currently at the Professional Level of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), further demonstrating their dedication to continuous professional growth and excellence in financial governance.

Adebola’s professional journey began at Fatai Ishola Survey in Lagos, Nigeria, where they served as an accounting and administrative assistant. In this role, they were responsible for managing financial documentation, assisting with project cost analysis, and maintaining organizational records. The experience provided Adebola with first-hand exposure to operational systems, fiscal discipline, and accountability, which would later become key pillars in their career.

Following their tenure at Fatai Ishola Survey, Adebola joined the Mobile Foundation for Health Security and Rehabilitation (MHSR)—a non-governmental organization committed to improving health outcomes, promoting community rehabilitation, and advancing human rights through evidence-based interventions. Adebola joined MHSR as a Finance Officer, where their analytical skills, attention to detail, and commitment to transparency quickly distinguished them as a dependable and forward-thinking team member.

In their early years at MHSR, Adebola worked diligently to strengthen the organization’s financial systems, ensuring compliance with donor and institutional regulations. They played an instrumental role in streamlining financial reporting, supporting project budgeting processes, and developing internal control mechanisms that enhanced accountability and efficiency across multiple projects. Their leadership and dedication earned them recognition and, subsequently, promotion to the position of Finance Manager.

As Finance Manager, Adebola took on expanded responsibilities that included managing grants, supervising financial audits, and providing strategic financial guidance to the Executive Management and Program teams. Their work was instrumental in positioning MHSR as a financially credible and operationally sound organization capable of managing donor-funded projects with precision and transparency. Through their leadership, MHSR successfully implemented several projects that directly improved the lives of vulnerable populations, especially women, young people, and survivors of violence.

Recognizing their capacity for holistic organizational leadership, Adebola was later promoted to Head of Operations for MHSR—a role that merges administrative oversight, program coordination, and strategic management. In this capacity, they provide leadership across finance, logistics, human resources, and program implementation. Adebola’s approach to management emphasizes inclusion, accountability, and innovation. They have helped institutionalize policies that foster safer, more equitable workplaces and ensure compliance with both national and international operational standards.

Beyond their professional achievements, Adebola is a committed Marginalized groups activist, feminist, and women’s rights advocate whose work extends into the domains of legal reform, social justice, and community advocacy. They are particularly passionate about SOGIESC (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics) rights and the broader movement toward gender equality in Nigeria. Adebola uses their voice and expertise to challenge systemic discrimination and to advocate for a society that upholds the dignity, safety, and inclusion of all individuals regardless of gender or sexual identity.

Their activism is grounded in both lived experience and professional engagement with community-based organizations. Adebola has been deeply involved in initiatives that promote access to healthcare, protection from gender-based violence, and the advancement of reproductive rights. They work closely with feminist and marginalized groups networks to advocate for policy reforms that create safer environments for marginalized groups to thrive. Their belief in intersectionality—understanding how different forms of oppression interconnect—drives their holistic approach to advocacy and leadership.

In addition to their advocacy work, Adebola currently serves as the Focal Person for the HPV Vaccination Project for Young Girls in Lagos, an initiative funded by WAVA (Women Against Violence and Abuse) and implemented under the Lagos State framework. This project aims to increase access to and awareness of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which protects against cervical cancer—a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Nigeria. Through this role, Adebola has been at the forefront of mobilizing communities, coordinating outreach activities, and strengthening partnerships with local health authorities and civil society organizations to ensure that young girls have equitable access to life-saving vaccines.

Their leadership in this project underscores their commitment to gender and health equity. Adebola understands that true empowerment begins with access—to information, healthcare, and opportunities—and they work tirelessly to dismantle the barriers that limit women and young people from achieving their full potential. Their approach combines financial prudence with human compassion, ensuring that programs are not only efficient and well-managed but also people-centered and inclusive.

Throughout their career, Adebola has remained a symbol of integrity, resilience, and visionary leadership. They have successfully merged their expertise in finance with their passion for advocacy, embodying the principle that social transformation requires both structural accountability and empathetic leadership. Their colleagues and partners describe them as strategic, dependable, and deeply committed to justice and equity.

As a professional and activist, Adebola continues to engage in capacity-building, mentorship, and cross-sector collaborations aimed at fostering inclusive development. They are particularly interested in how finance can be used as a tool for social change—ensuring that resources are managed ethically and equitably to serve communities in need. Through their work at MHSR and beyond, Adebola continues to champion policies and programs that promote human rights, transparency, and sustainable impact.

In every space they occupy, Adebola brings authenticity, courage, and vision. Their leadership style reflects empathy and accountability, while their advocacy continues to challenge oppressive systems and open pathways for those whose voices have long been silenced. Whether in the boardroom, at community forums, or within activist networks, Adebola remains steadfast in their commitment to equality, justice, and transformative leadership.

Driven by the belief that everyone deserves dignity, safety, and opportunity, Ishola Usman Olaide-Adebola stands as a powerful example of how professional excellence can coexist with social responsibility. Their life’s work continues to inspire others to act with courage, lead with integrity, and advocate for a world where diversity and inclusion are not just ideals but lived realities.