Adeola Deborah Olubamiji’s story is like the script of a blockbuster movie. From a young girl growing up in the hustle of Ibadan, Nigeria, she has carved out a global name for herself, pioneering in one of the world’s most cutting-edge fields: additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing.
In 2017, Olubamiji became the first Black person to earn a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada. For a girl who once struggled to scrape together school fees, this was a bold statement for the African community. Today, Adeola is the Director of Additive Manufacturing Solutions at Desktop Metal, a Massachusetts-based 3D company.
Olubamiji’s adventure into tech
Olubamiji’s life began in Ibadan, Nigeria, where she was born into a modest family. She grew up seeing her parents, especially her mother, work so hard to ensure they all had what they needed to survive. Although getting textbooks and school fees came with sacrifices, her parents constantly reminded her that success was not optional.
In addition to her parents’ sacrifices, she drew inspiration from her uncles, one of whom was a professor of nuclear physics and another of whom was one of the pioneers of atomic bombs. Olubamiji believed that if they could succeed through education, so could she.
The tech enthusiast first discovered her love for science while pursuing a Bachelor’s in Physics from the prestigious Olabisi Onabanjo University in Nigeria. There, she fried and sold Garri to make money to complete her school expenses. After graduation, Adeola Olubamiji aspired to further her studies in Biomedical Engineering, but since that field still needed to be functional in Nigerian Universities, she had to leave the country.
Living abroad was financially challenging for her. She did many things to survive, including taking up cleaning and sales rep roles to get by. This helped her secure a master’s degree, and after sending over a hundred applications, she landed a scholarship that covered her rent and tuition for her PhD studies.
Industry 4.0 and Oubamiji’s career in additive manufacturing
In 2017, Adeola Olubamiji became the first Black person to earn a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan, and this feat opened doors for her.
When Industry 4.0 was gaining global momentum, she recognised the potential of 3D printing and saw how it could redefine manufacturing, healthcare, and the future of work itself. So, she jumped on it, sharpened her skills, built influence, and positioned herself as an authority in the field.
Now the Director of Additive Manufacturing Solutions at Desktop Metal, Adeola Olubamiji has risen to the forefront of Industry 4.0 and is a global leader in metal and polymer 3D printing technologies.
Olubamiji founds STEMHub Foundation
Many parents asked her to help their children replicate her results when she graduated. To give back to her community, she decided to register with the STEMHub Foundation. This not-for-profit organisation helps youths and professionals upscale their careers and improve in STEM fields.
The foundation has been of immense help to Nigerian communities. It helps college students understand how to transition into the labour market and get competitive jobs. It also guides qualified students in securing scholarships and grant opportunities to further their studies abroad.
