Toyin Janet Aderemi

Do not allow others to determine what you can do and what you can attain. Make good use of whatever you have left as an opportunity to explore and break boundaries.

Country

Nigeria

Short Biography

Dr. Aderemi is the first indigenous Country Representative of CBM Nigeria and the first person in a wheelchair to study and practice pharmacy in Nigeria.
Toyin was left unable to walk due to contracting polio in her childhood. Her mother used to carry her on her back to and from school until she got her first wheelchair at age 16.
She is an experienced disability-inclusive development practitioner and researcher, working to influence government and development policies for social inclusion. She has a background in public health, with expertise in disability-inclusive sexual and reproductive health and rights, and a PhD in Behavioural Medicine.

Zero Project Conference 2019
Speaker at the couch session on Participation and Leadership
Session description: Self-representation, participation, and leadership and their contribution to a barrier-free world.

Reason for winning

“Toyin Janet Aderemi has impressed me, because she is unbelievably dedicated to the interests of people with disabilities. At the same time, she has a spectacular CV and uses her experience to advocate for sexual and reproductive health – an issue which is especially important for people with disabilities.”
(Jury member Ninia La Grande)

Nomination Category

Health and Education

Award year

2018