Sayo Abidemi Gbangbala

I am a First-Class graduate of Pure and Applied Mathematics from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Nigeria with a CGPA of 4.71/5.00. I emerged as the second-best graduating student in my department. I am a Python programmer, data scientist, Machine Learning Engineer, and Artificial Intelligence enthusiast, actively involved in applying data-driven solutions to real-life problems. As a first-generation researcher, I’m passionate about using Mathematical, Statistical, and computational methods to address real-world challenges, particularly in modeling infectious diseases and cancer. Between 2021 and 2023, I served as the General Secretary of Access-Ed CDS, a volunteer group offering free academic and career mentorship to high school students preparing for WAEC, NECO, and Joint Matriculation Board Examinations (JAMB) in my hometown. In 2022, I introduced initiatives that expanded our support by providing free STEM tutorials and including community-driven financial aid to help students facing economic challenges pay for their examinations. In the past five years, more than 650 students have enjoyed our free tutorial, and 85% of our students achieved notable success in their exams and secured admission to their desired courses. During my National Youth Service, which I just concluded in October 2024, I served as a Graduate Assistant at Osun State University and also had the privilege of serving as the President of the Gender Vanguard Community Development Group during my one-year National Youth Service (NYSC) in Osogbo, Osun State. As President, I led a group of over 200 youth from different states across all 36 states of Nigeria to carry out sensitization programs in communities in Osun State, where we educated the community people on gender equality, the importance of Education for all, a reason to end money marriage, female genital Mutilation, and sexual harassment, and also conducted sensitization sessions in various high school within our host community encouraging the student to embrace their unique potential and talent to excel academically irrespective of their gender, even as a male president. I am a co-founder of the Light Up Osogbo Educational Initiative. This team gives back to the host community by making a positive impact in the lives of their young ones through seminars, competitions, and free educational materials, as they represent not only the future of their families but also the hope of our great nation. I am always eager to learn, grow as a leader, and collaborate with like-minded individuals across Africa to advance sustainable development goals, especially Quality Education, Good Health and Well-being, and Gender Equality. I believe together we can build a healthier, smarter, and more inclusive Africa through innovation and education.