Dr. Adetola Ariyike Salau currently serves as the Special Adviser to the Honorable Minister of Education on Science Technology Engineering Mathematics and Medical Sciences (STEMM) and Corporate Sector Engagement. An international education strategist and STEM advocate, she brings over two decades of experience in reimagining learning across Africa.
Prior to her current role, she served as the Special Adviser to the Executive Governor of Kwara State on Education, Policy Formulations, and Human Capital Development (2023-2025) and as the Senior Special Assistant on Education to the Governor of Lagos State (2020-2023), where she led pioneering initiatives in education policy, curriculum innovation, and technology integration.
Her work is deeply aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals — particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Through her advisory roles, Dr. Salau is actively shaping education reform that promotes equity, skills development, and inclusive growth.
She is also the founder of a non-profit; ELIA (Education Leadership Innovation Africa) Development Initiative formerly known as Carisma4U Educational Foundation; dedicated to transforming STEM education for African learners and has consulted for multilateral institutions and governments on system-wide curriculum and pedagogical reforms. Dr. Salau continues to advocate for holistic education systems that empower both teachers and learners — preparing the next generation of African leaders for global relevance.