Local StoriesMay 31, 2024

Meet Zainab Olaniyan

Local Stories

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Zainab Olaniyan. Zainab was introduced to us by the brilliant and talented Mary Ukiri.

Zainab, thank you so much for joining us today. We’d love for you to bring our readers up to speed – can you introduce yourself and share your story?

My story begins at 6 a.m. on a Saturday in a small town in Osun State, Nigeria. My name is Zainab Olaniyan, and I am just a girl passionate about equal access to quality education, culturally competent healthcare, and social justice.

In the summer of 2007, I embarked on a journey with my family as we took a gamble and immigrated to the gambling capital of the world: Las Vegas, Nevada. I spent eight years of my life there and attribute my love of reading, understanding of water scarcity, and empathy with bargaining unit roles to the time I spent in this city. Growing up in Las Vegas, I was typically the only or one of a few Black students in my classes. The lack of diversity in my immediate community encouraged me to reconnect with my heritage through artists such as Wizkid and Davido and by indulging in Nollywood movies.

In the fall of 2014, I relocated with my family to Houston, Texas. I may have grown up in Las Vegas, but without a doubt, Houston raised me. Coming to Houston was the first time since I had left Nigeria that I was surrounded by Black educators and classmates. Additionally, I was surrounded by peers from diverse backgrounds, spanning from Venezuela to Bosnia and from Vietnam to Turkey. Growing up in such a culturally diverse environment expanded my perspective of the world and motivated me to delve deeper into and embrace the richness of my heritage. Another aspect of Houston I love is its plethora of Nigerians. This has allowed me to learn more about the diversity that exists within Nigeria and build community. American culture pushes the ideals of hyper-independence and self-reliance, however, my community continues to pour into me and reminds me that indeed it takes a village to raise a child.

After years away, I returned to Nigeria in 2015 for the first time in half a decade. It was refreshing to be able to immerse myself in all aspects of the culture I had been teaching myself about and reconnect with my family. Although I enjoyed the trip and still count down the days until I can go back, it uncovered harsh realities I was sheltered from. I remember seeing school-age children hawking food on the streets in order to make ends meet. That image lingers, motivating me to give back and help build a better Nigeria. This passion has led me to teach seminars in the summers to students all over Africa and pursue research on the policy and health repercussions of the Ebola virus on survivors in Liberia. I hope that the work I do can help uplift my community and have a positive impact on even just one person.

Let’s talk about your work and career – what else should we know?
In my role as the fundraising team lead for the Ejiro M Ukiri Foundation, I oversee all revenue-generating operations within the nonprofit organization. Through this role, I directly contribute to my community by funding the foundation’s initiatives, such as our scholarship program. Additionally, I work in the public policy sector. During the summers, I teach seminars on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), policy, and development within the African context to students on the continent. During my undergraduate years, I conducted academic research on the effects of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) on the quality of life of survivors in Liberia, as well as the ethical concerns surrounding rehabilitative programs implemented following the conclusion of the epidemic. These findings have been recently published in a paper I co-authored titled “Broken Promises: Prolonged Diminished Quality-of-Life among Liberian Ebola Survivors Half a Decade after the 2014-16 West African Outbreak” in the Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences. I am excited about the positive impact this paper will have on the recovery and improved quality of life for Ebola virus survivors in Liberia and across Africa. I am passionate about sharing knowledge and empowering others to drive positive change in their communities. Through my work, I find great fulfillment in contributing to meaningful projects that benefit others.

Mary Ukiri and Ejiro M Ukiri International Foundation have been great to us and I know you’ve got a great relationship with them as well. Maybe you can tell our audience a bit about Mary Ukiri and Ejiro M Ukiri International Foundation and your experience with them.
I first encountered the Ejiro M Ukiri Foundation during a brunch bake sale they hosted in collaboration with my university’s African Student Union. The idea of supporting students in Nigeria while enjoying a delicious meal drew me in. Attending their Lekki Toll Gate remembrance event further convinced me that this was an organization I wanted to be a part of, as it aligned perfectly with my interests in education and Africa. When applications to join the team were released, I applied without hesitation. Since I already knew some team members, my transition was smooth.

During my time with the foundation, I have honed my interpersonal and networking skills, which have been crucial for successfully organizing fundraisers in the local DFW community. I have also learned the importance of follow-up and asking for support. I believe that the worst someone can say is no, but not asking at all means you’ll never know. The mission of EMU inspires me to continuously improve myself by attending conferences and taking relevant courses, ensuring that I bring my best self to the team.

Balancing academics, work, and other commitments with my role at the foundation has been challenging, but the results are incredibly rewarding. Seeing the smiles of our scholarship recipients and hearing about their achievements makes every challenge worthwhile. Working with such driven, talented, and welcoming individuals on the EMU team, such as Mary, has been a pleasure. They encourage me to persevere during busy periods and make our work enjoyable. The EMU team feels like a family, and it’s rare to find a work environment that doesn’t feel like work.

I am excited about the future of the team and the positive impact we will continue to have on the lives of others.