Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola is a prominent Nigerian environmental entrepreneur and public official known for transforming waste management in Africa through her company, Wecyclers. Born in 1983 in Lagos, she has also played significant roles in Lagos State’s government. From a software engineer at IBM to a leading sustainability advocate, her career reflects innovation and dedication to social and environmental progress.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola |
| Date of Birth | 1983 |
| Place of Birth | Lagos, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| State of Origin | Not publicly specified |
| Partner | Married (name undisclosed) |
| Children | Has children (number undisclosed) |
| Occupations | Entrepreneur, Government Official, Environmentalist, Author |
| Net Worth | Estimated between $1 million and $3 million |
Early Life and Education
Born into a well-off family in Lagos, Nigeria, Bilikiss grew up with four siblings. She attended Corona School in Ikoyi and later Supreme Education Foundation Secondary School. She initially enrolled at the University of Lagos to study Law but left due to campus safety concerns.
At 17, she moved to the United States to continue her education, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Fisk University in 2003 and a Master’s in Computer Science from Vanderbilt University in 2005.
After five years working in technology, she pursued an MBA at MIT Sloan School of Management, where she was a Legatum Fellow and Vice President of the Africa Business Club.
Career
Bilikiss began her career as a Staff Software Engineer at IBM (2005–2010), focusing on user interface design and earning a patent related to social networking applications.
Wecyclers
Inspired by a class at MIT focused on helping disadvantaged communities, she developed an idea for waste recycling in Lagos. She noticed that many low-income Nigerians lacked access to basic sanitation.
The concept evolved into Wecyclers, launched in 2012, which uses low-cost cargo bikes (“wecycles”) to pick up recyclable waste from households. Participants earn points redeemable for essentials like food, airtime, or cash via a text message system.
Wecyclers has since registered over 27,000 households, diverted thousands of tons of waste from landfills, created hundreds of jobs (majority women), and partnered with companies like Coca-Cola and Guinness.
Public Service
Due to her achievements, Bilikiss was appointed to leadership roles in Lagos State government, including:
- General Manager of Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (2017)
- Director-General of Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau (2019–2023)
- Current General Manager/CEO of Lagos State Residents Registration Agency since 2023
She also served as a trustee for the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund.
In her current role, she oversees resident registration and the LAG-ID card system that enables access to state services such as healthcare and education.
Personal Life
Bilikiss is married and has children, though she keeps details private. She speaks about the challenges and rewards of balancing family life with entrepreneurship, emphasizing the support she receives from her husband and the importance of clear communication with her children.
Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola Net Worth
Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $3 million USD. This estimate is based on her success as founder of Wecyclers—a company that has attracted over $5 million in investments—and her high-ranking roles in the Lagos State government, though her exact financial details are not publicly disclosed.
Awards and Honors
Bilikiss has received many prestigious awards recognizing her environmental and entrepreneurial contributions, including:
- King Baudouin African Development Prize (2019)
- Cartier Women’s Initiative Award for Sub-Saharan Africa (2013)
- Sustainia Award (2014)
- City University of New York Public Health Champion Award (2021)
- Guardian Seven Wonder Women Award (2018)
She has also been a fellow of several programs such as Echoing Green and the Legatum Center and named among top African innovators by multiple organizations.
Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola’s inspiring path from a tech specialist to a leading environmental entrepreneur and public servant highlights the power of innovative solutions to tackle social challenges and improve communities.
