Mojisola Ruth Obajuluwa

Give a brief bio about yourself/your background/your history.

I was born and raised in Lagos state Nigeria. I moved to Brandon, Canada at the age of 19 to pursue my education. I grew up with my mum and my two older siblings. I grew up watching my mother constantly criticize the lawmakers, and I do wonder why she is always yelling at the television. When I was six years old, I had the courage to question my mother why she yells at these men on television. She laughed and told me she is a civil servant , saying that she becomes enraged whenever she hears about embezzlement of funds meant for the public . She went into further depth and questioned me about my aspirations for the near future. I grinned as I said, “I want to be wealthy enough to make you happy,” as I turned to face her. As time went, I started shouting and calling out the lawmakers as I watched the news with her. I began talking politics with older men and women in my neighbourhood, and it quickly became routine. The fact that my mother gave birth to me when she was in her 40s made it easy for me to relate to these older individuals. When I speak to them, it makes me feel like I’m talking to my mother. In high school, I went to my mother and told her that I wanted to become a lawyer. She looked at me and said, “A lawyer?!,” to which I responded, “Yes,” to which she replied, “You’ve got to be kidding. She explained that she is scared because she is aware that I am quite outspoken but is that what I really want to do. I replied to her saying Yes, that I want to be like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

After high school, I took a national exam and also applied for the IELTS. While I was awaiting my IELTS results, Brandon University and Lagos State University both accepted me to pursue politics. Since I was delighted, I told my relatives. My mother was pleased but also concerned as she questioned why politics once more. I smiled and assured her that I would tread carefully. That was the origin of my interest in politics. Aside politics, I enjoy cooking. I love listening to the elderly discuss the days of colonialism. I also enjoy listening and studying about the Yoruba dynasty. The Bible is one of my favourite books to study. My mother is a role model for me because she is so kind-hearted and confident. I also adore two other women in Nigeria which are Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. At Brandon University, I’m presently pursuing a political science degree. I’m employed by the YWCA Westman Women’s Shelter. I enjoy listening to music, and my favourite styles are gospel, RNB, and Afrobeatz.

What education have you taken?

I graduated high school in 2016, I’m in my second year studying political science as my major and sociology as my minor.

How did you become interested in your field/area of study?

My favourite conversational subject was politics. As a child, my mother and I used to watch the news. I observe politics in our daily existence. Sociology, on the other hand appears to be similar to politics in that you need to comprehend how people relate to one another, their culture, their languages, and everything else that goes into a society. Understanding how individuals think and perceive the world around them is necessary for understanding politics. The family is the smallest social entity, and politics occurs even within families.

What accomplishments are you most proud of?

The best thing that ever happened to me was when Dr. McCulloch emailed me to inquire about my immigration status because she thought I would be a good match for the SSHRC’s Black Researchers Program. The recognition I received felt incredibly honourable. In addition to being proud of my academic achievements, I am also proud of how I have maintained a high GPA despite working a part-time job and doing other volunteer work.

Where do you see yourself in the future? What do you hope to undertake or accomplish once you leave BU?

I see myself as an ambassador for the UN. A barrister, too. Supporting and aiding women, particularly Black women, and marginalised groups. I want to alter the narrative by stating that I am a child of nobody who became somebody, even though many Africans would argue that to be a woman of substance you must come from a wealthy family. I want to be the embodiment of optimism for all women.

What is your philosophy in life?

According to Proverbs 1:7, wisdom and instruction are regarded with contempt by fools, but fear of the LORD is the commencement of knowledge. Love is my second guiding principle in life. Love has no limits, is lovely, kind, and gorgeous.

In one sentence, how will you #EmbraceEquity?

I will #EmbraceEquity by educating others on the value of inclusion. Everyone has a distinct background and collection of experiences that must be respected and valued, and embracing equity means embracing diversity and promoting inclusiveness.

Nominator’s Comments:

Mojisola is an exceptional student and it is a pleasure to nominate her for International Women’s Day and especially so on the theme of #EmbraceEquity. She is intellectually curious about the world, committed to social justice, and generous with her knowledge and insights with other students. Drawing on her experiences as an international student, Mojisola is often able to bring new and important perspectives to bear on class discussions, especially on matters of cultural diversity, democracy, solidarity, and justice.