Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola

**Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola** is a Nigerian technology and environmental entrepreneur, renowned for her pioneering work in sustainable waste management. She is the founder and former CEO of Wecyclers, a Lagos-based recycling company that uses an incentive-based model to collect recyclable waste from households. **Early Life and Education** Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola completed her undergraduate education at Fisk University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Computer Science. She continued her studies at Vanderbilt University, where she obtained a Master of Science (MSc) in Computer Science. Following five years working for the technology company IBM, she pursued further education, earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Her time at MIT was pivotal, as she developed the concept for her recycling business while specializing in waste management. **Career Progression and Wecyclers** The concept for Wecyclers emerged during Adebiyi-Abiola’s second year at MIT, aiming to increase waste collection by offering incentives. Wecyclers operates in Nigeria, employing a low-cost, cargo-bicycle-powered scheme to collect recyclable waste directly from homes in low-income communities. In exchange for waste, customers earn points redeemable for household goods, food, or cash. The collected materials are then sold to recycling plants. This model is recognized for both its environmental impact and its creation of employment opportunities. **Major Achievements and Notable Roles** Adebiyi-Abiola has received global recognition for her work in social entrepreneurship and sustainability. She is a Carroll Wilson Fellow and an Echoing Green Fellow, and in 2013, she was a recipient of the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards. Her company, Wecyclers, was awarded the King Baudouin International Development Prize in 2018/19. **Current Status** Following her work in the private sector, Adebiyi-Abiola transitioned to public service roles within the Lagos State government. She served as the Managing Director of the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK), focusing on maintaining and developing green spaces. She is currently (as of 2023) the Director General of the Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau (LASRAB), responsible for records regulation, archive preservation, and knowledge management for the state.