Boyede Adebanjo, The Accountant Who Became a Builder of Hearts and Minds

Meet Boyede Adebanjo, our LagosMums Mum of the Month!

An accountant by training and a successful professional in the financial services sector, Boyede never pictured herself running a school. Yet today, she’s the heartbeat of Beehive School, a place where children don’t just learn, but thrive. What began as stepping in to help her mother during a difficult time became a lifelong mission: shaping young minds, instilling values, and building futures.

In this feature, she opens up about her journey, from boardrooms to classrooms, from motherhood to mentorship, and why she believes raising children with love, discipline, and values is the foundation for building tomorrow’s leaders.

How it All Began

The hum of children’s laughter and the energy of eager minds fill the halls of Beehive School, a place where learning is not just about books but about shaping character. At the heart of it all is Boyede Adebanjo, a woman who never imagined she’d one day run a school, yet now carries that role with passion and purpose.

Her journey here wasn’t linear. An accountant by training, Boyede spent years building a successful career in the financial services sector in the UK and Nigeria. But when her mother, who had founded Beehive School, fell ill, Boyede stepped in “temporarily” to help. She quickly discovered that education wasn’t just her mother’s calling, it was becoming hers too.

“At first, it was simply to support my mum. But before long, I realized education was calling me,” she admits.

What began as an act of duty became a mission, continuing her mother’s legacy while bringing her own vision of what education should mean for children. And even the name “Beehive,” she explains, carries significance: a place where every child, like a bee, is industrious, unique, and vital to the hive.

Building Beehive Into More Than a School

To Boyede, Beehive is not an institution; it’s a living community, and in her care, a timetable is more than periods, it’s a rhythm of values.

“Children need love and discipline in equal measure. We must teach them values, not just academics,” she says firmly.

She lights up describing small-but-mighty moments: a shy child raising a hand; a playground conflict resolved with apologies; a class rallying to finish a project together. This is where her favorite part of the work lives:

“My most favorite part is watching the children blossom and becoming the best version of themselves before they leave us… Ready to go into the world with confidence, knowledge and skills and do much more.”

Leadership, she’s learned, is elastic. One day HR, the next counselor, then interior decorator, then the umpire in a classroom.

“The diversity of skills that is required! One day you are HR, next you are a counselor, then an interior decorator then an umpire in a classroom!”

How does she build a team for that kind of reality?

“Hire some to complement my weaknesses. Hire some who mirror and surpass my strengths. And finally delegate effectively.”

In her hands, Beehive has become more than classrooms and timetables. It’s a space where children are not only taught to read and write, but to respect, love, and live with purpose. Boyede smiles as she recalls the countless moments of growth she witnesses daily: children learning to share, to stand up for themselves, to embrace kindness.

Her entrepreneurial spirit also shines through. Running a school hasn’t been without challenges: staffing, finances, parents’ expectations, but she’s leaned into those challenges as opportunities to grow. “Leadership is never about having all the answers,” she reflects, “it’s about listening, adapting, and keeping your vision clear.”

“Leadership is never about having all the answers,” she reflects, “it’s about listening, adapting, and keeping your vision clear.” Share on X

Juggling Career, Family, and Motherhood

Behind the professional title, Boyede wears another: The title of “Mum”.

She is a mother of “two wonderful children, a girl and a boy in their teenage years”, and her perspective on parenting has been shaped as much by challenges as by joys.

“Motherhood teaches patience in a way nothing else does. Your children will stretch you, but they also make you grow,” she reflects.

She admits it hasn’t always been easy balancing her demanding role at Beehive with raising her own family. “when they (our children) were younger and needed us more, physically, we did not shy away from taking help from our support system.” Boyede doesn’t believe in trying to navigate parenting alone; she believes that every parent needs and should use the help of trusted support. She also believes that being there for your kids lies more in quality than quantity:

“When it comes to quality time and creating memories, it’s not about how long or how much you spend but about how well you spend the time together- is it meaningful?”

Her husband, she notes, has been her anchor. “He is the ying to my yang,” she says admiringly. His quiet but steady support has given her the strength to juggle so many roles. “Having a partner who understands and encourages you makes all the difference,” she says warmly.

How they met? A house party. She was 19. Nineteen years of marriage later, their partnership is still the quiet backbone of everything.

When asked about their parenting style, she comments:

“We have the same values and share the same hopes for our children. We however execute quite differently which has turned out to be complementary. He is more patient but direct and straight to the point… I can be quite serious… while he takes a more relaxed approach. The children however know… we take joint decisions.”

And then there are the lighter moments of parenting—the funny standoffs over screen time, or the joy of spontaneous family dance sessions in the living room—that remind her to enjoy the ride.

Parenting in Today’s World

Parenting today comes with its own unique set of battles, especially with the fast pace of technology and peer pressure. Boyede doesn’t shy away from the reality that raising children in Nigeria, and the world at large, has changed dramatically.

“Children are more knowledgeable and outspoken these days… This is to be encouraged but must also be channeled positively.”

As for modern parenting, she observes, “I think parents have relaxed a little when it comes to instilling good values, Many people fear ‘scarring’ their children the way they were ‘scarred’, and so have made an almost opposite move in the way they bring up their children. What is needed is only a slight adjustment and not a complete turnaround.”

“Our children are exposed to so much, so early. It’s our job to equip them, not just protect them,” she insists.

For her, that means modeling values at home, teaching responsibility, and holding firm to boundaries even when children push back.

“Children need to see consistency. They may resist rules, but deep down they find security in them,” she adds.

Her philosophy is simple: if we want children to grow up resilient, they must see it lived out in their parents first.

Two Moments That Still Make Her Laugh

Memories are the glue of family culture, and the Adebanjos have plenty.

Studying with an aunty, her daughter drifted off-task. The aunty teased, “Demi, we will finish studying… even if I have to open your head and put the maths inside.” Without missing a beat, Demi fired back:

“Can you also add English?”
The phone call that followed was all laughter, and study time was over.

And the Lion King era:

“One day we asked our son what he would like to be when he gets older and he boldly declared, ‘A Lion!’”

A Mum’s Style, Her Way

Ask Boyede about her personal style and she chuckles. Between school runs, staff meetings, and family responsibilities, her wardrobe choices lean toward comfortable elegance.

“I love to look good but I am lazy to put in the effort into styling and going all out to look for ‘the perfect dress’ for occasions,” she says with a laugh. And her solution for this dilemma is to “break down the task and now I buy at least two outfits a month. The right occasion for the outfit will come up in future and I won’t have the nightmare of looking for an outfit under pressure.”

She also has a few self-care rituals she guards carefully, “My dear friend gave me a skin care routine during covid, and I have maintained it since. I have also worked out 4 days a week since 2021 with the most amazing work out buddies,” she shares.

Her sense of style and care mirrors her life philosophy: practical, grounded, but always touched with grace.

The Village That Makes It Possible

Her creed is simple:

“SUPER important. For us to live balanced and purposeful lives we need help with our children.”

Their “village” is real and near: her mum lived a street away, school runs, homework, the thousand little rescues. Siblings and friends pitched in. And then there was Mary, their nanny of ten years, a decade of stability until she left to start her own family.

“To enjoy a great support system you must be prepared to be a great support system as well.”

Raising Children to Thrive (Not Just Achieve)

What prepares a child for the future? Not a trophy shelf, she insists, but an inner spine; “Their level of confidence and strength of character is key… We build confidence by helping them love themselves… know their strengths… know their weaknesses and the help they need.”

Boyede is also a firm believer in exposure: “Experiences that expose us to mingle with people from different walks of life and culture.”

And the mantra her children can recite:

“100% in looks, brains, achievements etc. multiplied by 0% character is zero.”

On an ever-changing world:

“To be independent and adaptable… They must also know that failure is a steppingstone. We strive for success but if failure comes, we get up and try again.”

Words of Wisdom for Other Mums

When asked what advice she would give other mothers, her tone softens. Her words are not lofty pronouncements, but the steady wisdom of someone who has walked the road herself.

“Don’t compare your motherhood journey with anyone else’s. Every child is unique, every home is different. Do your best, and trust God with the rest.”

Her candid advise to mums is to ““Ask for help. Accept help. Offer help… You need to show your children that you are good at other things as well as being a good mum. And you need a sound support system to achieve this.”

She believes the pressure on modern mothers is immense, from social media to societal expectations, but reminds women that no one gets it all perfect.

“It’s not the big things children remember most—it’s the love, the presence, and the values you leave with them.”

Beyond the School and Home

Outside of Beehive and family life, Boyede is refreshingly relatable. She loves Nigerian food (“Jollof rice will always win!” she laughs), enjoys music that lifts her spirit, and finds relaxation in simple pleasures like reading or long walks.

She also holds a quiet strength when talking about womanhood. “Being a woman means carrying many roles, but it also means having the power to shape lives in ways that ripple for generations,” she says with conviction.

Why LagosMums Feels Like Home

When Boyede Adebanjo talks about LagosMums, there’s a warmth in her voice that makes you pause. For her, this isn’t just another online platform or a casual community—it’s something much deeper, almost like walking into a familiar space where you instantly feel seen and understood.

“What I love most about LagosMums,” she shares with a smile, “is how it truly feels like a safe, empowering village for mothers, especially in a world where motherhood can often feel isolating.”

Motherhood, she explains, can sometimes feel like navigating uncharted waters without a map. But LagosMums, for her, has been that guiding light, a place where questions are met with understanding, and struggles are shared with compassion.

“It’s more than just a platform; it’s a community that understands the unique challenges of raising children in Nigeria. From insightful conversations to expert resources and practical advice, LagosMums offers the kind of support that’s both timely and deeply relatable.”

But what stands out most for Boyede is how LagosMums goes beyond the obvious. It doesn’t stop at helping women become better mothers; it pushes them to thrive as whole individuals.

“I also appreciate how it’s intentional about helping mums grow, not just as parents, but as women, professionals, and individuals.”

Quick Takes (Because She’s Fun, Too)

₦1 million or more sleep?
“₦1 million. I get enough sleep!”
Shopping spree or all-expense-paid dream trip?
“All-expense paid trip! With my favorite people please.”
Homeschooling or traditional school?
“Traditional school.”
Spa day or eat out?
“Eat out.”

Boyede Adebanjo’s journey reminds us that motherhood and leadership can go hand in hand, powered by love, faith, and vision. Dive into more Mum of the Month stories on LagosMums and be inspired by women who are nurturing families, building legacies, and shaping tomorrow’s generation.