By Ojoma Akor
A Nigerian born physician-scientist, and healthcare entrepreneur, Dr. Lola Adeyemi is recording milestones in innovation , ensuring equitable healthcare, as well as leadership across Nigeria and the globe.
Her leadership activities include advocating for equitable healthcare access, particularly in cancer care and research ethics.
Findings by Health and Science Africa, reveal that Dr. Adeyemi has contributed immensely to reshaping Nigeria’s research and innovation landscape since taking up advisory role with the Nigerian government.
She has also implemented digital solutions for ethical oversight, strengthened the national research ecosystem, and forged global partnerships that are already transforming healthcare delivery.
According to her, she would continue to to deliver high-quality, accessible healthcare across emerging markets because “health equity isn’t a goal, it is a responsibility”.
The influence of Dr Adeyemi who plays advisory roles for both the ministers of health and education in Nigeria , cuts across multiple sectors; driving collaboration between public policy, healthcare technology, and academic research.
She has been described by stakeholders as one of the few that blends personal resilience, academic brilliance, and transformative leadership
In the tapestry of global health innovation.
She was recently named one of Poets & Quants’ 2025 Best & Brightest Executive MBAs from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
Beginnings
Dr. Adeyemi’s life seems destined for journeys off the beaten path. She was
born in extraordinary circumstances—literally in a stranger’s car after her parents’ vehicle broke down en route to the hospital.
From the unconventional beginnings in Nigeria to her current role as Special Adviser on Research and Innovation to the Government of Nigeria, her trajectory has been defined by strategic vision, and a steadfast commitment to health equity.
Her academic journey spans some of the world’s most prestigious institutions. She earned her medical degree from Olabisi Onabanjo University in Nigeria before pursuing a Master’s in Public Health at Johns Hopkins University. She went on to obtain a Master’s in Environmental Management and Sustainability from Harvard University, and most recently, an Executive MBA from Northwestern Kellogg.
The high-level role emerged during her MBA studies—a testament to her ability to balance intense academic demands with global responsibilities.
At one point, she presented at a healthcare research conference in Europe, completed coursework mid-flight to meet a deadline, and returned in time to support her daughter’s school commitments before heading back to class. Such moments highlight her resilience, time management skills, and the indispensable support of her family.
Entrepreneurship
Beyond her work in government, Dr. Adeyemi is a visionary entrepreneur.
As Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Magna Carta Health, she leads a preventive digital health organization leveraging technology to combat death, disability, and disease.
She is also the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Mentoring Her, a social networking platform powered by machine learning that connects female mentors and mentees worldwide.
By fostering women’s personal and professional growth, the platform is creating ripples of empowerment far beyond Nigeria.
Her work has earned global recognition, including the 2020 Global Achievement Award from Johns Hopkins University for exceptional contributions to global health innovation and women’s empowerment, and the 2021 Forbes Next1000 Honoree Award for innovative leadership in healthcare and technology.
While her professional record speaks volumes, Dr. Adeyemi’s influence also extends into cultural diplomacy.
At Kellogg, she played a pivotal role in ensuring all voices in her EMBA cohort were heard—celebrating diversity through partnerships with community-building committees and cultural heritage events. Her first spoken-word poetry performance during the program remains one of her most cherished memories, underscoring her belief in human connection as a powerful tool for leadership.
With more than 50 countries already stamped in her passport and a goal to visit every continent by 2030, Dr. Adeyemi’s vision is truly borderless.
Married to Olalekan and a devoted mother, Dr. Adeyemi’s life is grounded in family support, strategic foresight, and the unshakable belief that “we rise by lifting others.”
From a car birth in Nigeria to the corridors of Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and Kellogg; from advising cabinet ministers to mentoring women worldwide—her journey is proof that when purpose meets preparation, impact becomes inevitable.
Impact on Nigeria’s health sector
Speaking on how she translated the knowledge and experience gained to impact Nigeria’ health sector that has been faced with a lot of challenges, Dr Adeyemi said each milestone was not just a personal achievement but a deliberate step toward a larger mission—bridging healthcare disparities and advancing equitable access to quality healthcare in Nigeria and other emerging markets.
She said that while she feels privilege to learn at prestigious institutions like the
Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management where she got an executive MBA, a personal milestone, ” it is not about the degrees I accumulated but it is the impact that I am able to contribute to the people of Nigeria that is most important to me.”
On how she translated her MBA knowledge to the healthcare sector she said, ” I think first and foremost the MBA has sharpened my leadership strategy and system thinking and that is an opportunity to turn policy into measurable impact for Nigerians ”
She said innovation, data and partnership also bridge gaps in the health system.
Getting it right with health in Nigeria
The health expert said Nigeria has achieved some milestones but can definitely do more .
While saying that there was need to get the basic things right , she added that a strong primary health care system is crucial for Nigeria to have a better healthcare system..
Dr Adeyemi also harped on the need for Universal Health Coverage ( UHC).
She further said that UHC will not only save lives but also reduce the long term socio-economic cost of diseases.
According to her, public private partnership ( PPP) is also key in quality health service delivery .
On reducing the high burden of cancer in Nigeria , she said it was important to
scale up screening access and diagnosis.
She added that screening was cheaper and more affordable than treating cancer with its attendant effect on individuals and their families.
“We should prioritize early detection, scale up of diagnosis and research,” she said.
She added that there was need for data in other to understand the unique cancer patterns in the population.
