This month, we spotlight a woman whose life is anchored in faith, family, and purpose. A devoted wife of 27 years, mother of two young adults, and passionate community builder, she believes every mother thrives with the right support system. Jadesola reflects on the joys and challenges of raising children, the friendships that have sustained her, and the lessons she’s carried into empty-nest life. Her journey is a testament to resilience, grace, and the enduring power of prayer.
Please tell us about yourself. Can you share more about all the hats you wear?
I am Jadesola Adedeji, Daughter of the Most High. Wife, Mother, Dreamer, Community builder, Foodie, and Traveller
Share one unexpected thing about you.
I am a hopeless romantic, J.
How did you meet your husband, and how long have you been married?
It was a setup!!!! Our mutual friends thought we had a lot in common and set up a blind date, which I reluctantly went on. It was an exciting time in my career as a Pharma Executive in the UK, and I wasn’t particularly interested in a guy to disrupt my trajectory. Lol. So he took me to a cheap chicken joint to “test me” and was stunned when I not only went but used my fingers to deal with the chicken wings instead of cutlery! I guess I passed the test, and 27 years later, we are still winning and dining.
Can you tell us one of the funniest things your child(ren) has done or said? Or if older, share how they have surprised you with a different or unique view of the world.
‘Adulting is a scam’!!! My daughter made that declaration a week into university life. For someone who had been looking forward to turning 18 since she was 8 and had been looking forward to “doing her own thing”, she adopted a different view of adult life very quickly. Happy to say she has since adapted very well
How important is a support system for a mum? Who is in your tribe, and what kind of support do you have? How has the support changed as your children have grown into adulthood
Mums wear many hats, we all know, and a strong support system is essential for a mother to thrive in her many roles. Your immediate family support, your husband, is the obvious and important starting point.
Yes, there are gender specific roles in the marriage (like childbirth), but there are many ways that a husband can truly support his wife regardless of traditional gender formed roles. Secondly, the extended families, like grandparents, play a more important role than just babysitting, but are the historical custodians of culture, tradition, and legacy. I have been blessed to have experienced this and also friendship groups that have come alongside me- personally, spiritually, professionally, and of course, fun!
My “Power Girls” group of friends is one such, and what started as a “dining club” of sorts has emerged into a real sisterhood and important part of my life. My Amazing Sisters group, which started with daily prayers during COVID, is now a weekly prayer and friendship support for me. Professionally, GAIA, a women’s-only private members club, also serves as a professional support system.
What are some ways children and parenting are different now compared to when you were growing up?
I miss the ‘community of it takes a village to raise a child’ aspect of my growing up. Then, our numerous aunties, uncles, neighbours, and extended family members and friends were very much part of our upbringing. Shared family values meant that non-negotiables such as manners, hard work, and respect were somewhat universal in almost every home at the time. We also got to play outside and form friendships very quickly- there was true freedom and liberty in being a child. Our parents were stricter, and we often joke that my generation has collective trauma in some ways.
Tell us about your beautiful family and your journey to motherhood.
Married for 27 years, I have a son and a daughter who are both young adults and in the workforce, so we are true empty nesters. There is a joy in seeing and experiencing the goodness and grace of God in this journey.
Though the start of motherhood was challenging, as childbirth in each instance nearly cost me my life, nurturing, teaching, and guiding them has truly been a source of joy to me. My children are the inspiration for my life’s work, STEM METS, and it is a delight to see them thriving in their respective fields.
My role as a mother to young adults has obviously evolved- they have a mind of their own now! People ask if it is easier, and I often respond that it is different, as one’s role is more advisory. You can only hope and especially pray that the values you have instilled in them growing up have formed roots and are yielding good fruits as they journey through life. Prayer is key.
What has motherhood taught you about yourself?
That patience is possible for the impatient!! That the love of and from a mother is genuinely selfless. I have learnt, unlearnt and relearnt through motherhood.
What advice would you give to other mums?
Be kind to yourself and there is no shame in asking for help.
Bust one motherhood myth!
You are not a Superwoman. Mums are humans after all.
Use one word to describe one thing that should not be missing from every home.
Peace
How do you balance work and parenting?
Honestly, I haven’t always done a good job at this and have experienced burn out at various points. I have learnt to be intentional about rest; true rest and not restless rest. For the last decade or so, I practise Sabbath on Fridays- disconnecting from work, devices and distractions and have a real connection to feeding my mind and spirit; this practice has served me well over the years. I guard my time with all things relating to being present in things that relate to my parenting duties and out boundaries in place to ensure that I am fully available as required and expected.
What do you love the most about your work as a STEMpreneur and all the many expressions of your purpose and passion?
What I love most is the transformation I see in children, the moment learning stops being something done to them and becomes something they do, with joy.
That isn’t abstract for me. Twelve years ago, after almost two decade career in pharmaceuticals , I transition into education because my son was struggling in school. Not with the learning itself, but with the way teaching and learning weredone. Watching him come alive through STEM taught me first-hand that a joyful learning experience is transformational, and that for a child who learns differently, it can make or break them. That experience is what led me and my late co-founder, Dr Funmi Ogunwuyi, to start STEM METS.
So when I see exploration and delight in a child’s eyes, I’m seeing more than a good lesson. I’m seeing a life taking a different shape and, I believe, generations after that one.
The work has also kept me learning. You can only pour into children what you have first received.
More recently, community building has become my thing. We host learning and wellness experiences for parents at our hub, The MakerSpace, because when parents thrive and are equipped to nurture their families, the children gain in return. I also started a video podcast, Reframe with Jadesola, where guests share their lives and work with our audience again from the belief that learning happens in many ways outside the classroom. And though I was a reluctant writer for years, I’ve rediscovered that passion; a few of my op-eds have now been published internationally.
My purpose shows up in many forms. But the why never changes: to give life to the seed each child carries.
How did you raise your children, particularly in nurturing their curiosity and interest in STEM?
To be honest, it was not specifically STEM but nurturing and cultivating a desire to learn and ask questions. This was done through many non-school learning experiences like museum visits, library visits and reading, travelling, theatre, educational toys, team sports holiday camps and even conversations. I am a big fan of learning experiences and participating in your own learning. I intentionally exposed my children to diverse experiences beyond their everyday environment. One memorable example was taking them to Ajegunle to volunteer with a charity during a Christmas campaign. It was important for them to develop empathy, kindness, and strong social skills while gaining a broader perspective on life. These experiences helped shape them into compassionate and well-rounded individuals.
What are some challenges of running a business, and how have you overcome them?
Where do I start? Well, forming a great team is essential to the success of any venture and over the years we have had our ups and downs, However, we have also been blessed with people who are truly committed to the mission and have served our children and parents with passion- I am truly grateful. Like any business in Nigeria, funding and access to finance to support growth and expansion plans continue to be a challenge but this is wherecreativity and innovation comes in for a team that is driven my mission and impact
What inspires you to stay positive?
My faith is an anchor for me. Our family motto is “Show the glory of God” and everything we do and desire must answer the question, “Does this bring glory to God?” And so, my attitude is that everything is possible and nothing is beyond the scope of my reach since God, the Father, is my source. Of course, as a human being, there have been many moments of fear and doubt along the journey, but I keep inspired by constantly remembering the good of the past and using that as the fuel for tomorrow.
Can you share your self-care tips?
For me, the joy of good food, great friendships, and the most important 3-letter word, S-P-A.
What do you love about LagosMums?
Over the years, I have seen the commitment to ensuring the parents are equipped with the knowledge and tools to raise healthy (body, mind, soul and spirit) children and families- this is what I love about LagosMums. Yetty is consistent, innovative, and always ahead of the e-parenting curve and always learning. The e-village is certainly thriving because of that.
Trivia
○ N1 Million or more sleep? More Sleep
○ Would you prefer to go on a shopping spree or an all-expenses-paid trip to your dream destination? Dream destination, any day
○ Homeschooling or traditional school? Traditional school with a twist
○ Is AI good or bad? It is good as long as it is used with common sense and integrity. Remember, it is a tool, not a crutch, especially for our young learners. AI over-dependency stifles human-centered innovation and creativity, in my humble opinion
Read more from our other beautiful Mums of the Month here
