TOLU OLANIYAN
As well as being a CEO of PretolaGHC and public-speaker, Tolu is also a mum of 2, the chair of the Medical Assistance Sierra Leone (MASL), a registered and very experienced Learning Disability (LD) nurse, a Florence Nightingale scholar and a nurse entrepreneur.
We sat down with her to discuss her career and how wearing so many professional hats made her the person she is today.
All information and links were correct at the date of original publication on
29 Nov 2020
How was nursing during the pandemic?
When the pandemic started, I was working as a Senior Community LD nurse.
It has been an unsettling period for all, most especially for those with disabilities.
My team and I were able to provide our clients with much needed support and helped them make informed decisions to adhere to public health guidelines and keep themselves safe in their homes.
Those with pre-existing health conditions were supported to develop personalised care plans to communicate their wishes if they or their loved ones became ill with the virus.
This provided some reassurances to them and their loved ones.
How has your work with PretolaGHC impacted your international experiences?
I started PretolaGHC in 2019 as a medium to bridge the gaps of people with neurodiverse conditions.
My goal is to raise treatment standards of these conditions around the world through the provision of specialist training and expert advice to families, care providers, healthcare practitioners and charitable organisations in the UK and globally.
I enjoy what I do and I’m determined to leverage my knowledge and experience to improve outcomes for people with neurodiverse conditions across the world.
I firmly believe that everyone living with a neurological condition anywhere in the world has a right to live a dignified and fulfilling life through access to quality care.
I work tirelessly with my partners in the UK and beyond to equip healthcare practitioners with advanced skills required to deliver excellent care in their contents.
Since the pandemic started I have taken the lead in initiating research projects in several countries, one of which is targeted at mapping out nurses’ knowledge on LD and autism.
We are also working on setting up the first LD nursing course in Sierra Leone.
If you don't like the position, size or placement of the photos, grab, move, rotate or resize them until you do!
Why is Black History Month important and how has it changed 2020?
With the difficult conversations taking place across the world this year, celebrating Black History is even more important.
It is important for young black people to be able to trace their history over time and also be aware of amazing black achievers that can become powerful role models for them.
I believe that Black History Month creates a safe space for people (of all races) to reflect upon and celebrate the achievements of black people across the world.
It is also an opportunity to renew our commitment to the goal of creating an equitable world for all.
What’s in store for black business in 2021 and beyond?
Black businesses have been underrepresented for years, i.e. access to PR, marketing, branding, finance and mentorship for entrepreneurs and continues to be a problem.
I am pleased and confident that things are slowly changing and industries like make-up and hair care are taking off even more.
#BlackBiz working together is a path towards closing the racial wealth gap strengthening communities and creating economic opportunities for all aspiring and established entrepreneurs.