Dr. Adetola Salau, Special Adviser to The Executive Governor of Kwara State, on Education Policy Formation and Human Capital Development, a globally respected Nigerian-American educator, engineer, and policy strategist, is set to launch two transformative books that promise to redefine the conversation around education in Africa.
The double book launch will take place in Lagos on Tuesday, June 24th, 2025, bringing together policymakers, diaspora leaders, educators, and changemakers from across Nigeria and beyond.
Renowned for her pioneering work in STEM education, curriculum innovation, and systems transformation, Dr. Salau is known both at home and abroad as a passionate reformer. With this dual release, she continues her mission of reshaping Africa’s education systems to be more inclusive, future-focused, and globally competitive.
Her first book, Bridging Two Worlds, is a deeply personal and thought-provoking memoir that tells the story of her journey from a successful engineering career in the United States to becoming a key figure in Nigerian education reform. With honesty and reflection, Dr. Salau details the emotional, cultural, and institutional challenges she faced returning home to serve in public education roles.
From her time as Senior Special Assistant on Education in Lagos State to her current position as Special Adviser on Education to the Governor of Kwara State, she provides an insider’s view of working within government systems to drive change. The book is both a narrative of purpose and a manual on resilience.
According to Mr. Sam Egube, Deputy Chief of Staff, Lagos State, Bridging Two Worlds is “a clarion call to action…..a powerful story that blends vision with real-life insight.”
Akinbode Obadina, retired Permanent Secretary and Executive Chairman of Bourdillon Group, describes the book as “more than a memoir, it is a manifesto for transformational leadership, a policy blueprint, and an invitation to rethink education through a lens of equity, innovation, and identity.”
In his foreword, he highlights Dr. Salau’s rare blend of technical expertise and civic commitment, calling the book “a compelling, authentic, and essential read.”
The second release, Reimagining African Education, builds on Dr. Salau’s policy work in education and presents a practical roadmap for rethinking learning on the continent. This is not a book of theories, it is a field guide filled with strategies, frameworks, and solutions. It covers critical topics such as emotional intelligence, curriculum design, assessment, data use, teacher training, and technology integration, all contextualised for African realities.
In her foreword, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, former Lagos State Commissioner for Education, praises the book as “a courageous and timely intervention” and calls it “essential reading for policymakers, educators, school leaders and anyone concerned about the future of African education.”
She adds that the book should be adopted as a standard text for teacher training institutions and education leadership programs across the continent.
With endorsements from some of Africa’s leading voices in education and governance, including Dr. Hakeem Popoola Fahm (former Commissioner Science and Technology, Lagos State) , Mrs Folashade Femi-Lawal (Chairman, Mastercard Foundation), Eyitayo Ogunmola, and Yinka Ogunde (foremost African Education reformer) , these two books signal a new chapter in the education discourse.
Dr. Salau not only draws from global best practices but also showcases African success stories that are scalable and sustainable. Her work bridges the gap between policy and practice, theory and implementation, and local reality and global relevance.
Dr. Salau’s life and career exemplify the power of purpose-driven leadership. From navigating bureaucracy and advocating reforms, to balancing personal sacrifices with professional duties, her journey is a beacon of hope and proof that change is possible. Her voice is especially important in amplifying the role of women in STEM, governance, and policy design.
The launch event promises to gather policymakers, diaspora leaders, educators, and changemakers for a day of dialogue, inspiration, and commitment to Africa’s educational future. Dr. Salau’s work, rooted in purpose and possibility, invites us to rethink education not as a system to be managed, but as a legacy to be transformed.
For attendance, media inquiries or to request a copy of either book, please contact @ adetolaariyikesalau on Instagram or https://www.linkedin.com/in/adetolasalau? On Linkedin.
