For many, age 23 marks the beginning of their big Ieap, academically or socially. Personally, that age marked the beginning of my higher education journey, but here is Adeayo Sotayo who is already at the pinnacle of his academic journey. While we could attribute it to being positioned for opportunities, or to coming from a well-to-do family, I believe Adeayo Olubunmi Sotayo ’s achievement at the young age of 23 is nothing short of hard work, self-discipline, and dedication.
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Adeayo Olubunmi Sotayo: The Nigeria Prodigy Who Barged PhD at 23
Adeayo Olubunmi Sotayo ‘s journey to excellence began at Bessie International School, Lagos, Nigeria for his primary education before proceeding to Chrisland College, Lagos, Nigeria where he obtained his SSCE certificates in 2009.At the age of 17, he took off to the University of Liverpool, UK for his bachelor’s degree in Engineering. In 2013, he graduated with a first class in Mechanical Engineering and also as a valedictorian, winning the double awards of the Norbury Medal for Best Student and the Best Student of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
His exemplary performance at the University of Liverpool earned him a spot at Lancaster University, UK where he got waived for his master’s degree and started his PhD in recycled composite structure. After three years of hard work, dedication, and determination in 2017, Adeayo Sotayo earned the right to be addressed as a doctor having successfully defended his doctoral thesis. He was just 23 years old!
Dr Sotayo’s PhD research and academic contributions, centred on sustainability, composite structure, and waste management earned him several well-deserved accolades and recognitions. Notable among these was his winning the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Present Around the World (PATW) Competition for the Lancashire and Cumbria region in 2016. His other accomplishments on his journey include the Stack Award for Personal Development, the Vice-Chancellor Attainment Scholarship for Academic Excellence, and the International Student Award at the University of Liverpool.
Meanwhile, Dr Sotayo wasn’t all work and no play; however, he was able to find balance in everything he did. He’s a fan of football and enjoys playing 5-aside football for leisure. When not playing football, he enjoys running or travelling. Beyond these, he’s also into coding and he’s a blogger. As part of his effort to help other people, he designed the SmartStudyWorkPlay.com website, a project aimed at sharing the inspiring story of his journey and to motivate and inspire other people.
Beyond academic excellence, the Nigerian prodigy is known for adaptability and commitment, testimony from his PhD colleagues and mentors at the University of Lancaster. His colleagues and mentors described him as “friendly, confident, and approachable”, lauding his flexibility and ability to adapt to new situations and teaching methods. These he inculcated in his professional life where he is making waves as a lecturer and renowned researcher in engineering, environmental sustainability, education, and human development in Europe.
Adeayo Olubunmi Sotayo: Achievements and Recognition
Dr Sotayo’s journey has earned him a number of well-deserved accolades, awards, and recognitions that highlighted his brilliance and academic excellence, some of these are;
- Norbury Medal awarded for being the Top Year 3 BEng Mechanical Engineering Student at the University of Liverpool
- Vice-Chancellor Attainment Scholarship for Academic Excellence between 2010 and 2013
- Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) Best Student in 2013
- International Student Award for Personal Development in 2013
- Stack Award for Personal Development in 2013
- Powerful Media’s Top 100 Future Leaders in 2014
- Winner of the Institution of Engineering and Technology Present Around the World (IET PATW) competition (Lancashire and Cumbria Region) in 2016
Adeayo Sotayo: A Symbol of African Excellence
Dr Adeayo Olubunmi Sotayo’s journey isn’t just a story of another Nigerian bloke making waves in Europe. Sotayo serves as a beacon of African excellence, a testament to African excellence and brilliance. On one hand, he represents African perseverance, hard work, and the strong will to break barriers on the journey to excellence. His journey also serves as a motivation to other Africans and a reminder that the only limitations are the ones set by oneself.
On another hand, Sotayo’s giant stride in the UK tells the world that Africa isn’t just a third-world continent plagued by hunger, insecurities, and poverty, but a continent with an immeasurable potential to dominate every aspect of human endeavour, ranging from technology, science, engineering, education, and even politics and leadership. With scholars like Dr Sotayo, there is no doubt that Africa will rise to etch her name in the sands of time.
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