Oluwatosin Adebiyi in a royal blue dress

THE STORY · SO FAR

How I'mbecoming.

A journey of grace, growth and purpose. From experiences that shaped me, through seasons of healing and discovering my identity, to becoming a Quantity Surveyor, writer and leader. This is the story of a life still unfolding, rooted in God and learning to shine in every sphere.

AT A GLANCE

  • Quantity Surveyor
  • First-Class Honours Graduate
  • Best Graduating Student, OAU 2026
  • Former Vice President, International Affairs, NAQSS National
  • Writer
  • Mentor

Chapter 01 · Before the titles

There is more to my story than where I am today.

I didn't arrive here with everything figured out. My early experiences were not always easy. I grew up navigating circumstances that shaped how I saw myself, understood people and experienced life. There were things I had to make sense of, wounds I had to learn to heal from and parts of myself I was yet to discover.

But my story did not end with my beginnings.

Somewhere in the middle of it all, God met me. And what followed has been a journey of learning, healing, unlearning, finding my identity in Him and discovering that where I began does not have to determine where I am going.

I am still growing, but I have come to understand that becoming is not about pretending the past never happened. Sometimes, it is about recognising how far grace has brought you.

Chapter 02 · The beginning

Construction found me before I chose it.

My mother was an architect, and my parents ran a company together. I grew up close enough to the work to see its challenges and close enough to develop an interest in how things are built.

When it was time to choose a direction, Quantity Surveying at Obafemi Awolowo University felt less like a random decision and more like a path I could grow into.

What began as an interest gradually became a profession, and a deeper appreciation for the people, processes and possibilities that shape the built environment.

Chapter 03 · The foundation

A life rooted in God.

I gave my life to Christ when I was seven. I didn't understand everything it meant then, but I meant it with my whole heart.

Over the years, my understanding of God has continued to grow. Through different seasons of life, He has been teaching me about His love, my identity, trust, purpose and what it means to walk with Him beyond words.

He has met me in difficult places, carried me through seasons I could not navigate by myself and continually reminded me that my life is held by something greater than my own strength.

My relationship with God shapes how I approach my work, ambitions, creativity, service and relationships. It is not one part of my life. It is the ground the rest stands on.

So, when you encounter anything I build, write, lead or contribute to, I hope you find traces of the One who is at the centre of it all.

A faithful Father. A life that reflects Him.

Chapter 04 · Obafemi Awolowo University

Into the discipline.

OAU became more than a place where I earned a degree. It was a season that stretched me, introduced me to new possibilities and taught me a great deal about discipline, excellence, service and myself.

I finished top of my class in 200 Level, again in 300 Level, and graduated with First Class Honours in Quantity Surveying, emerging as the best graduating student in my department.

It wasn't always easy. There were demanding days, difficult moments and times when I had to find the strength to keep going. But grace met me in those moments, and I learned to keep showing up.

Eighteen months of industrial training took me beyond the lecture hall and into live construction projects, giving me a closer understanding of the profession I had chosen.

I also served as Librarian of NAQSS at OAU, where I introduced the department's first electronic library and spelling bee.

Somewhere in between, I started writing. First privately, then in public. I began to discover that I could use words to process experiences, communicate ideas and connect with people.

The more I grew, the more I realised that my interests were extending beyond the profession I was studying.

Chapter 05 · Leading out loud

Learning to make room for others.

Leadership has been one of the ways I have learned to turn what I carry into something that serves other people.

I served as Director of International Relations of the International Quantity Surveying Student Forum before becoming Vice President, International Affairs of the National Association of Quantity Surveying Students in Nigeria.

These roles gave me opportunities to connect people, build relationships across borders and contribute to conversations about the future of Quantity Surveying.

In April 2026, I was part of the team behind Africa 2035, which brought together 977 participants from seven countries for conversations about Africa's future and the role of its young people.

Through LinkedIn, I also began documenting my academic and professional journey. What started as sharing my experiences gradually became a platform for connection, learning and mentorship. I have since had the privilege of mentoring over 180 individuals.

I am learning that influence is not simply about being seen. It is about what becomes possible for others because you showed up.

Chapter 06 · Still becoming

There is so much more to build.

Today, I find myself at the intersection of Quantity Surveying, communication, leadership, creativity, writing and faith.

I am a Quantity Surveyor by profession, but my interests and assignments extend into different spaces. I enjoy helping people find their voice, communicate their value, develop their gifts and recognise the possibilities ahead of them.

Through my work and different initiatives, I am exploring these interests in practical ways.

There are ideas I am nurturing, communities I am helping to build, words I am putting together and possibilities I am still discovering.

I am not writing this from the finish line. I am writing from the beginning of the journey.

And I would rather take you with me than wait until everything is complete before telling you the story.

Welcome to the in-progress.

WHAT GROUNDS ME

Five things Ikeep returning to.

Oluwatosin smiling outdoors
  1. 01

    Faith and spiritual growth

    Knowing God, growing in His Word and learning to live a life that reflects Him.

  2. 02

    Excellence and stewardship

    Doing the work well, being intentional with opportunities and honouring what has been entrusted to me.

  3. 03

    Leadership and service

    Building people, creating opportunities and leaving spaces stronger than I found them.

  4. 04

    Communication and creativity

    Using words, ideas and creative expression to inform, inspire, connect and create value.

  5. 05

    Growth and meaningful influence

    Continuously becoming, while using whatever influence I have to help others move forward.

These are not separate versions of me. They are different expressions of the values, convictions and gifts I am growing into.

And there is still more to discover.

THE INVITATION

If any of this resonates, there's a place for you in what I'm building.