In conversation with PREMIUM TIMES, FATE Foundation’s Executive Director, Adenike Adeyemi, discusses her journey to the top, the gender gap in entrepreneurship, and the real work of creating lasting change for women in business.
The Journey from Vision to Impact
For over two decades, Adenike Adeyemi has been at the forefront of Africa’s entrepreneurial transformation. From leading change at KPMG Advisory and the Nigeria Leadership Initiative to driving grassroots innovation at FATE Foundation, her path has been shaped by a clear purpose: to close systemic gaps and enable inclusive growth.
“I’ve always believed that data, when paired with strategic action, can move mountains,” she says. At FATE Foundation, that belief turned into large-scale impact—supporting over a million entrepreneurs, launching initiatives like msmehub.org, and unlocking over $2 million in funding through a mix of grants and loans.
Becoming CEO, for her, was not about titles. “It was about owning a vision—of reshaping the ecosystem to work for the people often left out of the conversation.”
How Women Lead Differently
When asked how women in leadership create change, Adeyemi is direct: “We lead with purpose. We lead for others.”
According to her, the difference isn’t just in style, but in impact. “Women leaders often bring empathy, collaboration, and resilience to the table. We’re not only problem-solvers—we’re system re-designers.”
She shares how FATE Foundation builds gender equity into every level of its work—from financial products tailored for women to mentorship programs and research that spotlights the hurdles female entrepreneurs face.
“It’s not about giving handouts. It’s about designing environments where women don’t just survive—they thrive.”
Challenges Faced—and Lessons Learned
Despite a strong presence in the social impact sector, Adeyemi notes that women still face significant obstacles at the top. “In male-dominated spaces, it’s easy to be underestimated or overlooked. I’ve lived it.”
But her strategy for overcoming bias is rooted in evidence and alliance-building. “I leaned on our research—hard numbers that prove women’s economic power—and surrounded myself with strategic allies, both men and women.”
Her key takeaway? “Women can’t wait to be invited. Sometimes, we have to build the table ourselves.”
A Defining Moment: Turning Data into Opportunity
One of the highlights of her career came when FATE launched its first women-focused funding initiative. After identifying the financing gap through research, Adeyemi led the push to get capital into the hands of women deemed “too risky” by traditional lenders.
“When those first 200 women used our loans to launch products, hire staff, and scale their businesses—it proved our point. Leadership isn’t just about advocating for change. It’s about creating tools that make change happen.”
Advice for Young Women Aspiring to Lead
To the next generation of Nigerian women, her message is clear: “Step up, even when it feels uncomfortable.”
She urges young women to perfect their craft, seek unconventional partnerships, and uplift others as they rise. “Don’t wait for the perfect time. Don’t let self-doubt win. Your perspective is not optional—it’s essential to solving Nigeria’s biggest challenges.”
Balancing Leadership with Life
For Adeyemi, balancing a demanding role with her personal life comes down to intentionality. “I plan my life the way I plan work—strategically. I block time for what feeds my soul: family, friends, rest. That’s not negotiable.”
She acknowledges it’s not always smooth, but insists that personal joy and professional impact can fuel each other when approached deliberately.
“Accelerate Action” Means Structural Change
Reflecting on the International Women’s Day theme, “Accelerate Action,” Adeyemi cautions against celebrating progress without acknowledging persistent inequities.
“Yes, we’re seeing more women in business. But they’re still locked out of capital, markets, and decision-making. We can’t fix this with visibility alone—we need to redesign broken systems.”
She advocates for stronger policy enforcement, legal recourse against discrimination, and meaningful male allyship. “This isn’t about speed. It’s about sustained pressure until fairness becomes the norm.”
Leadership that Builds Legacies
Adenike Adeyemi doesn’t just lead organizations—she leads movements. Through her work at FATE Foundation and as a proud member of Women in Management, Business, and Public Service (WIMBIZ), she is setting a new standard for what inclusive leadership can look like in Nigeria.
Her legacy is clear: building systems that don’t just break barriers, but remove them entirely.
