Serving was one of the most rewarding parts of my university experience- Olatope Ilori, Former Finance Minister

Olatope Ilori, a former Financial Secretary, a stakeholder in Queen Elizabeth II Hall and a First class graduate from the Faculty of Law, shared her journey in an exclusive interview with a correspondent from Queen Elizabeth II Hall Press. She revealed how finding balance was a key factor to her success. 

QEIIHP: We know you as Olatope Ilori, a former financial secretary, a stakeholder in Queens Hall and a Law student. Beyond these, who is Olatope?

Olatope: The things you mentioned form a core part of who I am, really. Beyond that, I’m just a girl from Oyo State, the last of three siblings, and a proud Ibadan girl through and through. I went to International School Ibadan and have lived here all my life. Before Law, I actually started out in sociology and spent a year there before making the transfer. I love going out to unwind and nothing beats a good party. I also really enjoy putting events together and making things happen behind the scenes. I once ran a successful lip gloss brand called Glossio, but I had to let it go because juggling it with school became too much.

QEIIHP: Why the transfer from Sociology to Law, what’s the story behind it?

Olatope: I transferred because that was always the plan. From the start, I knew I wanted to study Law, but after post UTME, my aggregate score was 74, while the cut-off was either 74.5 or 74.75. I don’t quite remember but I was very pained cause it was very little. 

So, I chose Sociology with the intention of transferring later, though I also saw it as a good enough option if I had to stay. When the time came to apply for the transfer, I had a 50/50 mindset because there was no guarantee I’d be accepted. Plus, after 100 Level and the long COVID break, I had settled into the course and was already exploring career possibilities in the field. I was so surprised when I got the call from the Faculty of Law that I had been accepted.

QEIIHP: Can you tell us what your experiences were like in the office (s) you’ve occupied both in and outside Queens Hall.

Olatope: Looking back, I can confidently say serving was one of the most rewarding parts of my university experience. I initially hesitated to take on leadership positions, worrying they might distract me from my academics, but I’ve come to realize they actually enhanced my personal growth in ways I never expected. I never realized how much I thrived under structure. Having tasks and deadlines forced me to reduce procrastination because I had to get things done. For instance, If I didn’t study by noon, the day was gone because an election planning meeting was waiting at 3.

Serving in Queens was particularly special. The executive council meetings, planning, looking out for Queenites, it all made me realize just how much I cared about the hall. Working through disagreements, and learning that you can clash on ideas without becoming enemies were also major growth moments. Before this, I’d never been in a team for a long period of time, and it taught me patience, adaptability, and the essence of collaboration.

Securing sponsorships for events like the Finance Summit was a crash course in negotiation, persistence, and quick thinking because there were moments when plans fell through at the last minute, requiring fast solutions. Shoutout to the sponsors who actually trusted me with their money.

My time as Finance Minister opened up even more opportunities like Co-Head of the LSS Dinner Committee, Head of Publicity for Finxposition 3.0, Welfare Chairman for the Student Union Electoral Commission. Each role came with its own challenges, but what was common was that they all kept me on my toes in the best way.

I discovered sides of myself I never knew existed and I gained a well-rounded university experience because of it. I’m thankful for the moment, the stress, the wins, the lessons, even the occasional chaos.

QEIIHP: You hosted the First ever Financial and Literacy Summit under your tenure as the Finance minister of the Hall. What birthed that idea?

Olatope: The idea was birthed out of the need to redefine the position of the Finance Minister. When I was contesting, some people felt like the position was just there and nothing much to it, they thought it was all about the collection of money. I wanted to do something different and meaningful that will be attached to the position for a while. Being a finance enthusiast, I wanted to translate that into Queens, by giving Queenites little nuggets on basic investment and planning savings.

QEIIHP: You are one of the sponsors for the Hall Chairperson’s grant under Mojoyinoluwa tenure. How does it feel being part of that initiative?

Olatope: Like anything related to service in the hall, it felt just right. So when she mentioned needing help with sponsors for the textbook grant, my first thought was to help.

QEIIHP: You were the Head of Publicity for the FinXposition 3.0, Students Finance Club, University of Ibadan, which took place on the 28th of February, 2025. Can you tell me how that experience was? 

Olatope: Honestly, when SFC reached out, I almost said no. My publicity experience was pretty basic, just editing the freshers' welcome highlight video, making a summit promotion video, and designing some finance tips graphics. Plus, I already had a lot going on for a short semester. But I went for it anyway, and with the content we put out, we actually hit our registration target. There were some bumps, like when I ended up doing double the work because some team members dropped the ball. But we pulled through, and looking back, I'm really glad I took the chance.

QEIIHP: How does it feel being a first class honour student while juggling other responsibilities?

Olatope: It felt incredible, the validation that came with it, because it meant that with the right balance, I could really excel at everything. But if I’m being completely honest, beneath that excitement was a constant underlying feeling of anxiety. Feeling that the other things I’m doing might affect my academics and scores. Keeping all the plates running together got exhausting at times.

QEIIHP: Judging by your lifestyle, one would describe you as a “sophisticated lady”. How were you able to handle it all from owning a business, being a social media personality and also being involved in various activities. 

Olatope: I feel like balance is the key to everything. When I started having responsibilities, it helped me realize that I thrive better under structure. Knowing what to do and not doing something when you are meant to do other things. When I have to read, I know that I am reading, when I can take on other responsibilities, I know that I can do that. When I am stressed and I know that if I should continue reading, it will not be productive, I will go out. Know what works for you cause I knew what worked for me and it didn’t come at once. I mastered what worked for me when I was in my 400 Level. Don’t over do things, read like there is no tomorrow, take on other activities and put yourself into it. If you are someone like me that goes out, go out.

QEIIHP: At a particular point, did it ever occur to you to give up?

Olatope: It occurred to me to give up at certain points. There were times where I would actually be really sad, questioning if I would be able to graduate with a First Class, the tasks were a lot. There were times before exams, I would cry because I felt I haven’t done a lot. That’s why I had to stop my business cause I felt like I couldn’t manage it well with school. In the midst of me contemplating if I should give up or not, I didn’t really take my eyes off the price, I still knew what I wanted. 

QEIIHP: If you could have changed a thing as a queenite, what would it have been?

Olatope: Absolutely nothing! Like I said earlier, I wanted a well rounded university experience and I got just that. 

QEIIHP: In a few words, how would you describe your stay in Queen Elizabeth II hall and the impact it had on your academics.

Olatope: Home. Community. Growth. Queen Elizabeth II Hall was truly home. It provided an encouraging environment where I thrived academically and serving in Queens also contributed to my personal development. I did some of my most focused studying in the B Block Reading Room and under London Bridge. Queens also gave me a community of Queenites who made the Law journey easier and more meaningful. Special shoutout to Wonuola Sunmboye, Mojoyinoluwa Agbonde, Precious Adekojo, Gbenuola Oluwole, and Dooshima Ande

QEIIHP:What are your parting words to the entirety of the hall including the hall’s management?

Olatope:To Queenites and the hall management, thank you! The hall will always be a part of me. Let’s keep teaching others where to tread!