Bolton Inspires Generations of Nigerian Women!

“A woman is like a tea bag; you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water” – Eleanor Roosevelt. 

At the University of Bolton, providing a positive and inclusive learning environment is at the heart of everything we do. Being at the heart of one of the UK’s friendliest towns, we are proud to be first for Social Inclusion*. 

Paving the Way for Future Female Leaders 

Abimbola, Boluwatife, and Toluwani Oyesola have more in common than just their surname. Having each travelled to the UK separately to pursue their individual goals, the mother and two daughters are inspirations for girl power. Thanks to its student-centric approach and friendly campus, Bolton University has become more than just a place to study: it has become their home. 

While Bolton celebrates women’s achievements all-year round, International Women’s Day on the 8 March will provide the perfect opportunity to shout about this inspirational female trio; they are not only a prime example of Bolton’s family values but they are also inspiring for women worldwide.  

Let’s explore some of the academic and professional ambitions they have each gained with the support of studying at Bolton.  

Boluwatife’s Story 

Accountancy graduate and PhD student Boluwatife was the first member of the Oyesola family to study at Bolton; arriving eight years ago. As an undergraduate, Boluwatife went on to become SU president, establishing herself as an inspirational female and a brilliant ambassador for the international student community: 

“My role as SU president gave me the opportunity to meet like-minded people all over the UK. Personally, there was a lot of character building, and I was able to develop myself as a person and serve more people. I understood the different needs of various student groups and found ways to bring them together.” 

Alongside her PhD research, Boluwatife currently works 14 hours a week as International Student Community Coordinator. This role involves the provision of academic and pastoral support to international students, ensuring they are aware of the full extent of support available to them. Having played such an integral part in the university family, Boluwatife’s active involvement in campus life has continued to benefit students and lecturers since she decided to continue her PhD at Bolton. 

It's safe to say that Boluwatife loved the #UniAsItShouldBe experience: 

“I have always wanted to be an academic and it just made sense after my role as the Student Union President that I would pursue my academic career here. I had offers from other universities, but my heart was always in Bolton.” 

Toluwani’s Story 

After being inspired by the international student application by her older sister, Toluwani set her sights on Bolton to study medical biology.  

With over 60 nationalities on campus, Bolton is proud to be one of the UK’s most multicultural universities; with facilities in place that are dedicated to helping overseas students settle into the UK as quickly as possible.  

As well as the chance to live and study alongside her sister, Bolton’s friendly campus and smaller class sizes were attractive to Toluwani, who wanted “to be able to focus in lectures”. Also, when applying for university, her research made it clear that Bolton was well-placed to support her career ambitions. The BSc (Hons) Medical Biology degree is accredited by The Royal Society of Biology and offers an in-depth understanding of human biology from a medical perspective. The course is designed to equip students with the skills and understanding needed for a career in biomedical science or prepare them for further study, including graduate-level entry into medicine or dentistry. 

In Toluwani’s case, she wants to specialise in dermatology. As a future medic, Bolton provides excellent opportunities due to the £20 million investment from the UK government's levelling up fund that will go into the new Bolton College of Medical Sciences; part of a transformation in how NHS staff are trained: 

“The development of the medical school has definitely sparked my interest in continuing my studies at Bolton University. I am open to experiencing other environments, but studying at Bolton has been a great experience.” 

Abimbola’s Story: 

Boluwatife and Toluwani’s mother Abimbola was the final member of the Oyesola family to join the Bolton family. While being a Nigerian journalist, she is now studying the new MA Visual Journalism and Storytelling course. Take a look at what she loves most about the Bolton lifestyle:  

“I love Bolton for its quiet and serenity. One can easily move around and get whatever you need within a short walking distance. The town is also relatively safe compared to some other big cities around.” 

Motivated to broaden her skillset after working in Nigeria for printed publications, Abimbola is now developing her digital capabilities through her master’s course. Combining photography, video, reporting, writing, and multimedia, the visual journalism and storytelling course offers maximum agility for telling non-fiction stories across platforms with the greatest impact. Bolton University’s experienced and industry-engaged lecturers support students to gain essential skills for a career in this exciting and evolving field. 

 Considering her future plans, Abimbola said: 

“After completing my studies at Bolton, I believe I will have more opportunities to progress my career anywhere in the world. This is a relatively new field, which means there could be more opportunities for me to broaden my horizons.” 

Connecting to the Caribbean African Health Network (CAHN) 

The University of Bolton is actively working to tackle differences in students’ lives caused by racism, poverty, and discrimination; aligning with the International Women's Day (IWD) mission: 

“Imagine a gender-equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated.” – IWD 2023 

Inclusion at Bolton is celebrated 365 days a year. As International Women's Day (IWD) approaches, the Students Union plans to mark the occasion with an event in partnership with the Caribbean African Health Network. 

The partnership between Bolton University and CAHN is helping to address health inequalities in Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority communities, challenge race inequality and achieve cultural inclusion for students from the UK and international backgrounds. 

As Toluwani sets out on her medical career, the partnership with CAHN will help to support her studies by enhancing the development and delivery of health programmes for future health professionals. In addition to the 2023 IWD event, CAHN has previously been involved in supporting and promoting activities during Black History Month. 

#UniAsItShouldBe; creating a friendly and inclusive environment for all. 

*The Times and Sunday Times, Good University Guide – Social Inclusion – Northwest - 2022