Adeola Ayoola, a young Nigerian pharmacist and CEO/co-founder of Famasi Africa, is driven by a profound desire to enhance the quality of life for individuals by simplifying access to medications, especially for those with recurrent needs. A graduate of Pharmacy from Obafemi Awolowo University, she has channeled her problem-solving intuition and determination into building a digital health platform that offers doorstep medication delivery, automated monthly refills, free follow-ups, and connections with healthcare providers. Her career trajectory is firmly rooted in self-belief, an articulate plan for success, and a steadfast commitment to addressing fundamental issues within Africa's health sector.

Born and raised in Abeokuta, Southwestern Nigeria, Adeola's innate desire to care for others was fostered from a young age. Her inspiration to pursue Pharmacy stemmed from observing a respected community pharmacist during her upbringing, shaping her view of pharmacists as reputable and essential societal figures. Unlike many who are guided into careers by external circumstances, Adeola's choice was a deliberate and passionate one, as she recounts, "I wanted to study pharmacy in the University, so it's not one of those stories of someone wanting to study medicine and was given pharmacy." Beyond her undergraduate degree, she has further specialized, holding a degree in Leadership and Management in Health from the University of Washington and a certificate in Gender, Sexual, and Reproductive Health from USAID.

Her pivotal experience at the National Hospital, Abuja, in 2017, significantly informed the solutions Famasi Africa now offers. Working as a counsellor, particularly in the HIV/AIDS clinic, exposed her to the severe challenges patients faced. The hospital, a major referral center for complex cases across Nigeria, was consistently overwhelmed with patients, many of whom required urgent medical attention and frequent medication refills for chronic conditions like HIV/AIDS, diabetes, and hypertension. Adeola observed firsthand the arduous process: "A typical clinic day would see over 120 people waiting to get their medicines." This constant struggle with long waiting lines, stigmatization, and the burden of physically accessing medications despite existing public health efforts around HIV/AIDS, highlighted critical gaps in the system.

The inspiration behind Famasi Africa crystallised from these first-hand experiences. Adeola and her co-founder recognized that patients, including those with HIV/AIDS, diabetes, and cancer, not only endured long queues and lost productive hours but also frequently forgot to take their medications as prescribed. Compounded by limited access and affordability issues that regrettably lead to many deaths, they saw an urgent need for a technological solution. This vision aligns with the global shortage of health workers, including pharmacists, which the World Health Organization projects to reach 12.9 million by 2035. Famasi Africa aims to bridge this gap by leveraging technology to ensure seamless medication access and adherence.

Outside her demanding role of "saving lives," Adeola Ayoola strives for balance. Her typical day involves brainstorming innovative ideas to serve Famasi Africa's clients, but she consciously carves out time for personal well-being. She finds relaxation in working out at the gym, exploring new culinary experiences, and indulging in her favorite medical drama series like New Amsterdam and Grey’s Anatomy. She maintains a social life through ecosystem gatherings, connecting with colleagues and friends, often asynchronously via social media, but consistently prioritizing daily calls with her mother.

Adeola critically assesses Nigeria's education system, acknowledging its inherent imbalances and instabilities, which can be frustrating for students due to incessant strikes. However, she also perceives it as an opportunity for students to cultivate valuable skills that enable them to excel post-graduation. Her perspective on the Nigerian health sector is equally candid; she deems it "broken," primarily due to a lack of interoperability that hinders the seamless flow of information within the care continuum. This fragmentation forces patients to become "supply chain analysts" and underscores the urgent need for more public-private partnerships to foster collaborative solutions among all industry stakeholders.

Looking ahead, Adeola envisions significant growth for Famasi Africa. The company is actively pursuing multiple partnerships with more healthcare providers, Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), and pharmacies. They plan to strengthen their presence across the 16 states they currently operate in and expand into Ghana and Rwanda. A key future development is the launch of a mobile app designed to enhance personalization for their clients. For fellow founders navigating the demanding HealthTech landscape, Adeola offers sage advice: prioritize rest and personal health. "Being in the space is very tasking, as there is always a fire to put out," she emphasizes, highlighting the critical need for self-care to sustain long-term success.