Leading with Steeze. Meet Ireoluwa Adeyemo, Campus Ambassador (2024-2025)

An interview with Ireoluwa, a Co Campus Lead, Cowrywise Ambassadors, University of Ilorin

Ireoluwa Adeyemo, a 400-level student of English and Literary Studies at the University of Ilorin, embodies creativity, balance, and purpose. As Co-Campus Lead of the Cowrywise Ambassadors, she brought energy and organization to every project while juggling roles across several tech communities with grace and confidence.

1. Can you tell us who Ireoluwa is?

Ireoluwa Adeyemo is a 400-level student of English and Literary Studies at the University of Ilorin. With a passion for creativity and community engagement, she has established herself as a multifaceted individual with a range of skills and experiences.

She is a social media manager, mobile videographer, and video editor. She serves as the campus co-lead for Cowrywise Unilorin Ambassadors. She has also volunteered with several campus organizations, including She Code Africa (Unilorin Chapter) and Google Developer Group on Campus (Unilorin).

2. Now, coming down to Cowrywise, how has the journey been so far in your role as co-campus lead?

My experience with Cowrywise so far has been nothing short of amazing. I tell everyone that cares to listen that Cowrywise gave me my leap into the communities I’m part of at the University of Ilorin. It was what opened doors to other tech communities in school.

Cowrywise is a community of people from different backgrounds. Being a co-campus lead has been such a learning point for me. Leading people is not easy. You’ll meet the good, the bad, the ugly, but you just have to keep moving. You take decisions that affect people, plan events, and not just show up to attend. All of this has been part of my learning experience.

3. What inspired you to apply for the Cowrywise co-lead position?

I actually didn’t apply for the Cowrywise co-lead position. The former co-lead nominated me and sent my name, along with three others, to HQ. They reached out to me and had an interview with me.

If I were to say what inspired the previous co-lead to nominate me, I’d say it was due to my active participation in the Cowrywise community.

4. Were you nervous, chill, maintaining your steeze and composure when you applied, or was the steeze dropping?

When I got the message about the interview one night while on the streets of the University of Ilorin campus, I wasn’t ready and didn’t know what to say. I was a little frightened, but I still did it, maintaining composure and steeze.

5. What would you say is your most enjoyable experience so far as co-lead?

So far, my most enjoyable experience has been organizing people. Leading them can be both a nice and challenging thing. I particularly enjoy planning events.

We had mostly virtual events, but the highlight for me was when we partnered with one of the departments at the University of Ilorin. It was quite a successful and fulfilling experience.

6. In every group, there are always inactive members. How do you deal with them as a leader?

At the beginning, I felt I wasn’t doing something right. I’m not a trained community manager, after all. But I realized that in any group, there will be both active and inactive members.

Not everyone can be active at the end of the day. You just move on, tag them when necessary, focus on your active members, and still try to carry the inactive ones along.

7. Challenges come with every role. What challenges have you faced, and how have you tried to overcome them?

I’ve been waiting for this question. Honestly, I haven’t overcome them all yet; I’m still taking measures, some of which are working and some aren’t.

Like I mentioned earlier, I do quite a lot. I occupy many tech spaces and communities in the University of Ilorin, like She Code Africa, GDG, plus schoolwork, church, and other commitments. Having to juggle all of that can be taxing. Sometimes they overlap, and sometimes messages go unread.

To manage, I try to respond to messages immediately, set reminders for events, and use alarms a lot; my alarm is my best friend. There’s almost no hour you won’t hear it ring. I just try to stay afloat and prioritize my tasks.

8. You’re involved in many groups and activities. How do you manage them all?

It is not always easy; at times, the mental strain can be intense. I manage it by setting reminders and taking intentional breaks whenever the pressure feels overwhelming.

9. Do you see yourself taking more leadership roles after this?

Of course. This is only the beginning.

10. What advice would you give to whoever becomes the next lead?

Make the most of the opportunity. Being called to lead is being called to serve. You’re not there to boss anyone around; you’re there to understand your ambassadors, understand the Cowrywise system, and flow with it.

Most importantly, enjoy the experience. Live while you’re leading. Not everything will go well, but when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

11. In your opinion, what should be done differently in the Cowrywise Ambassadors community?

To the ambassadors, please be more active. Your leaders are trying, doing a lot, and racking their brains for ideas. The least you can do to support them is to be active.

I also think we should have more physical events than virtual ones, not just hangouts, but also campus tours and more interactive activities.

12. In one word, describe your leadership journey so far.

Amazing.

Interviewed by Elakeche Iduh

Interested in opportunities like this? Become a Cowrywise Ambassador today 💙.