Reconnecting Roots, Reclaiming Identity
Through immersive heritage experiences in Nigeria, Rooted in Naija transforms how young African diaspora individuals see themselves, their history, and their potential. We don’t just organize trips—we facilitate homecomings that change lives, challenge misconceptions, and create ambassadors for authentic African narratives worldwide.
A world where every young person of African descent knows their rich heritage, celebrates their cultural identity with pride, and serves as an ambassador for authentic African narratives in their communities across the globe.
Rooted in Naija empowers young people of the African diaspora to reconnect with their ancestral heritage through transformative educational experiences in Africa, fostering cultural pride, authentic understanding, and community leadership that bridges continents.
We believe in genuine, respectful engagement with African cultures, moving beyond stereotypes to embrace the full richness of the continent's heritage.
We are committed to providing comprehensive, accurate historical and cultural education that fills gaps left by traditional Western curricula.
We believe that understanding one's heritage builds confidence, identity, and the foundation for positive community leadership.
We foster meaningful connections between the African diaspora and their ancestral homeland, creating lasting relationships that span continents.
We inspire participants to become changemakers who share authentic African narratives and uplift their communities back home.
We approach cultural exchange with humility, respect, and genuine appreciation for local customs and traditions.
Dr. Bisi Ademuyiwa is the founder of Rooted in Naija, a nonprofit dedicated to reconnecting young adults of the African diaspora with their heritage through culturally immersive, purpose-driven travel experiences. A proud Nigerian-American and seasoned physician with over 30 years in medicine, Dr. Ademuyiwa created Rooted in Naija to inspire identity exploration, ancestral connection, and a deeper sense of belonging.
As an oncologist and global traveler, she brings a unique perspective to the organization—blending her passion for wellness, community, and cultural pride. Dr. Ademuyiwa has visited more than 35 countries across six continents, and believes that every journey has the power to transform and heal.
She lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with her husband and two young adult children. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, staying active, and listening to Afrobeats.
Dr. Abisola Afolalu is a board-certified physician and the founder of NorthShore Direct Primary Care, a thriving medical practice based in Connecticut, where she lives with her family. With a deep commitment to patient-centered care and community wellness, Dr. Afolalu has built a reputation for excellence in both clinical practice and healthcare innovation.
Her passion for global exploration and cultural connection—rooted in her Nigerian heritage—informs her active involvement in Rooted in Naija. She is dedicated to advancing the organization’s mission of helping young adults reconnect with their ancestral roots and embrace Nigerian culture with authenticity and pride.
Mrs. Folashade Oluwole is a seasoned professional with over 27 years of experience in Nigeria’s financial services industry, where she has held various leadership and strategic roles. Her career reflects a longstanding commitment to excellence, growth, and impact within the sector.
Driven by a passion for lifelong learning and personal development, she continues to pursue opportunities for self-discovery and enrichment. Outside of her professional life, Mrs. Oluwole enjoys reading and spending time with her family. She resides in Lagos, Nigeria, with her husband and two young adult children.
Dr. Debisi Olunloyo is a dedicated GP and Partner at The Burney Street Medical Practice in London. She completed her medical training at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, before moving to the UK to specialize in Family Medicine. With over two decades of experience as a medical doctor and 16 years as a General Practitioner, Debisi has a wealth of knowledge in her field.
In addition to her professional life, Debisi is a loving wife to Akin Olunloyo and a devoted mother to two wonderful daughters, Oyindamola and Oluwatishe, who keep her constantly engaged. Her faith is central to her life, and she is deeply passionate about fulfilling her potential and encouraging others to do the same. She believes in teaching and inspiring the next generation to become all that they are meant to be.
Outside of her medical career, Debisi enjoys reading, singing, watching movies, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Mrs. Bola Ogunfowora is a seasoned finance professional with extensive experience in the financial services industry, where she has served as a consultant specializing in process improvement and financial integration. She holds an MBA and is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA) as well as a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA). Bola brings a sharp analytical lens and a passion for strategic development to her advisory roles. As a Board Member, she is committed to supporting the organization’s mission of empowering youth in discovering and embracing their heritage through thoughtful governance, financial oversight, and impact-driven leadership.
Mr. Kayode Oni is a sales strategist, business development & revenue growth expert, and a real estate investment expert. With over two decades of experience spanning B2B and B2C sales in the IT, telecommunications & real estate sectors, Mr. Oni specializes in driving sustainable revenue growth through strategic innovation and high-performing teams. Leveraging his
background in Business Management and Applied Psychology, he fuses data-driven insights with a servant leadership approach to exceed ambitious targets and foster peak performance. He currently works with Globacom Nigeria as Regional Manager in Abuja. He is
the CEO of Peony Integrated Services Nig. Ltd. (a real estate company) and Co-owner E ‘Bun Bites (a confectionary store in Abuja). Throughout his career, he has taken on diverse responsibilities—from sales strategy and distribution network management to client relationship building and channel
development. He is passionate about cultivating a culture of collaboration, integrity, and continuous learning. Mr. Oni’s guiding mantra, “Lead with value, inspire with vision, and win with integrity and hard work,” underscores his commitment to ethical leadership and
customer-centric excellence. He loves to travel, hike, watch soccer, play tennis, listen to music, and play scrabble. Mr. Oni is married with three children.
Mr. Adebayo Ademiluyi is a Lagos-based lawyer in private practice, specializing in real and personal estate law, employment law, and international commercial transactions. In addition to his legal career, he is the founder of Ty-tys Design Ventures, a creative enterprise that showcases African craftsmanship through the use of woven indigenous textiles to produce elegant accessories, distinctive soft furnishings, and expressive artwork.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Mr. Ademiluyi enjoys spending time with family, exploring new destinations, engaging in creative pursuits, and discovering unique culinary experiences, all while embracing life with positive energy and good humor.
Mrs. Dupe Akinyede is a seasoned global technology and business executive with nearly three decades of experience leading digital transformation, cybersecurity modernization, and M&A integration for Fortune 500 companies, private equity portfolio firms, and high-growth multinationals.
Most recently, Dupe served as Chief Information Officer and Global Vice President of IT at Resideo Technologies (NYSE: REZI), where she directed a $160M global IT portfolio across 21 countries. In this role, she doubled technology delivery capacity in under a year, built enterprise-wide cybersecurity and cloud platforms, and successfully executed a $1B acquisition integration under budget. Previously, she was Vice President of Enterprise IT at Emerson Electric (NYSE: EMR), overseeing $600M in technology spend, delivering $120M in annual savings through shared services transformation, and developing a repeatable M&A playbook that supported numerous global transactions.
Dupe is the Founder of Duakin Technologies Advisory, a consulting firm specializing in digital transformation, cyber resilience, and technology operating models, and the CIOs for CIOs network, a peer-led leadership collective for senior IT executives. She has served on advisory boards with Verizon and AT&T, contributing to technology innovation, manufacturing modernization, and digital strategy.
