Growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, one of the most populous cities in the world, Oluwatamilore Oni (MPP 2023) was constantly aware of the surrounding inequality and driven by a desire to improve living conditions.
With an academic background in architecture and urban design, Oluwatamilore turned to the social impact sector: “I realised that urban planning wasn't just about buildings but about the lives of people living within them. I wanted to shape cities that nurtured their people”. After graduating, she spent three years working in urban design research, managing the ‘Open City Lagos’ project. This initiative, funded by the Heinrich Böll Foundation, used Lagos as a case study to explore the resilience of cities.
Her career transitioned into philanthropy work at Google, where she led initiatives across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Managing over $30 million in grant funding, Oluwatamilore had the opportunity to provide philanthropic funding to nonprofit organisations that tackled urgent societal needs head-on. Through this work, she saw how crucial it was to empower local communities. This hands-on experience reinforced her commitment to finding practical solutions through effective policymaking.
Leadership and innovation during the COVID-19 pandemic
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical vulnerabilities within community support systems, issues where philanthropic funding could play a significant role. At Google, she was instrumental in creating a COVID-19 relief fund that assisted over 115,000 individuals facing economic hardship. The fund supported charities that delivered food to those in need, assisted small businesses in avoiding bankruptcy, and provided cash grants to nonprofits distributing essential supplies. It also funded remote education initiatives for children who couldn't attend school and offered support for single mothers who lost their jobs due to the pandemic. Additionally, Oluwatamilore oversaw the distribution of 50,000 digital skills scholarships to young people across 21 countries, helping them acquire the necessary skills for the evolving job market.
Deepening policy impact at Oxford
Motivated by a desire to create systemic change, Oluwatamilore chose the Blavatnik School to deepen her understanding of global policymaking.
“The calibre of lecturers and the calibre of academic thinking here is quite high. The course designers and lecturers have thought very critically about what they want to put in front of the students and how those things fit together in a multi-dimensional way. Policymakers from different perspectives – whether they want to be politicians, technocrats, activists, or involved in social movements – can find threads that fit into what they want to do”.
Oluwatamilore’s experience at Oxford has been enriched by the diverse cohort. Engaging with a very global cohort challenges my assumptions and expands my understanding of nuanced regional issues.
Oluwatamilore's studies are fully funded by the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarship, which provides not only financial support but also a leadership development programme.
"This scholarship propels my leadership capabilities to the next level, offering constant opportunities to interact with other scholars on the programme, among whom are extraordinary thought leaders and changemakers from around the world.”
Oluwatamilore is particularly focused on developing policies that foster economic prosperity and social equity, aiming to bridge the gap between community action and governmental support. “Non-profits alone can't fill the gap when it comes to large-scale societal needs,” she notes, emphasising the need for integrated, actionable policies informed by grassroots realities.
“Helping young people to get into sustainable livelihoods is key, especially in countries like Nigeria where 60 percent of the population is under 25. If you can get that group of people into meaningful, well-paid jobs, positive ripple effects will be felt across the country.”
She also recognises the importance of creating inclusive urban spaces. “Maternal health is linked to route planning, which is linked to education, which in turn is linked to jobs. All these development issues are interconnected, and designing city spaces that are conducive for living, working, and growing is essential.”
Oluwatamilore’s journey at the School has transformed her into a strategic policymaker committed to evidence-based change. “My vision is to bridge the gap between grassroots action and governmental policy by creating and implementing frameworks that improve people's lives.”