Get to know our amazing mentors, former African international students, that have joined us to support other African international students on their journey in Canada.
Nneoma Okafor
Policy Advisor
Dina Adedze
Analyst (Public servant)
Policy Advisor
Analyst (Public servant)
Obim is a Nigerian-Canadian that moved to Canada in 2011. She has a BSc in Biological Science from Ontario Tech University, and is currently pursuing her medical education at St. George’s University (SGU) Grenada.She also has over 6 years of experience working as a Senior Administrative Assistant at Princess Margaret Cancer Research Institute.
She is passionate about reproductive justice and addressing health inequalities, as well as mentorship, leveraging her experiences, skills, and knowledge to offer meaningful support to others.
Outside of medicine and research, Obim enjoys watching animal videos, spending time with her loved ones, sharing meals and listening to music.
Rubby Nwaluka is a Nigerian – Canadian living, working, and schooling in Toronto. She has a strong knowledge of Social Justice Education with my current interest in Storytelling and Cross-Cultural solidarity. She is a Program Manager at the Ontario Trillium Foundation with over eight years of working in the philanthropic and non-profit sectors. She is currently doing a Professional master’s in social justice education with a Women and Gender Studies collaboration at the University of Toronto. Rubby is dedicated to finding her voice through learning, community, and reflection, which reflects how I engage with everything. Her journey with social justice has always been selfish, but I think this journey has birthed so much good. In her spare time, she loves to dance, watch anime, sleep, and talk and laugh with the people she loves.
Tjidzani (she/her) is a final year student studying Psychology with a minor in English at the University of Manitoba. She is from Zimbabwe and moved to Canada in 2021.
She volunteered to be a mentor in the Itoju Program because she understands firsthand that leaving home and transitioning to a new country as a student, especially alone, is far more challenging than many assume. Navigating the complexities of a new environment, unfamiliar cultural norms, and the pressures of academics can feel overwhelming without support. Having someone to talk to who genuinely understands these challenges can make a huge difference. She knows the importance of having someone to confide in who can offer practical guidance and empathy. She wants to provide that same support and encouragement to others, helping them adapt with confidence and find their place in a new community.
She enjoys singing, is a big fashion lover so she likes watching shows online and keeping up with the world of fashion. She also loves cooking and experimenting in the kitchen.
Ronke is a Nigerian Canadian; she was born and raised in Nigeria and moved to Canada to earn her undergraduate degree. She graduated from Ontario Tech University with a Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree in Nursing in 2017. She is a Registered nurse and an aspiring infection control practitioner. Over the past seven years, she has provided nursing services in acute and public health settings and continues to do so. She was actively involved in mitigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, including care for people acutely infected with COVID-19, mass vaccination clinics, contact tracing, and case management. Her work during the pandemic inspired her need for further education.
In 2024, she completed a master’s degree in public health at the University of Ottawa, focusing on public health practices. She is passionate about health, the impact social determinants of health have on one’s ability to make healthier lifestyle choices, and reducing the acquisition and transmission of infectious diseases in public and acute healthcare settings.
Outside work, she enjoys reading, weightlifting, taking long walks, visiting museums, fashion, and traveling.
Ronke overcame various challenges to achieve her goals and loves the opportunity to support others in their journey.
Born and raised in Nigeria, Laju moved to Canada in 2013 and graduated from the University of Toronto. He currently operates in the private equity sector as a Partner at a U.S.-based real estate investment company and is also the founder of a hedge fund. Laju is dedicated to adding value to the Itoju mentorship program by offering support rooted in his experiences in career navigation, mental health care, and financial planning. His goal is to provide newly arriving students in Canada with the essential guidance he wished he had when he first arrived.
My name is Bisola and I came to Canada as an international student from Nigeria in 2018. I have a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree in Entrepreneurship and Accounting. I am passionate about helping others navigate the job market and immigration processes. Currently, I work in corporate support, primarily focusing on HR, and. I’m also the Founder of a beauty tech company that I’m actively working on developing. Outside of work, I enjoy exploring new restaurants, getting lost in a good book and braiding hair (sometimes).
Immigrated to Canada from Lagos, Nigeria in 2010, in search of a better education and a better way of life. I found myself in the kitchen, and I never looked back. I have worked in the numerous restaurants, where I have acquired the knowledge to successfully operate any type of restaurant concept. Food is my passion, and educating people is my calling. I am excited to share my knowledge with the next generation.
Desiree Israel (she/her) is a Human Resources professional originally from Nigeria, who moved to Canada in 2014. With a passion for mentorship, Desiree chose to be a mentor in the Itoju Mentoring Program to empower international, helping them build confidence and break through personal and professional barriers. She is driven by the belief that mentorship fosters growth and opens doors to new opportunities. Outside of her professional life, you can find Desiree engaging in faith-based discussions, volunteering, reading, writing, and spending quality time with her family.
Born and raised in Nigeria, Omaina (she/her) moved to Canada from the United States in 2018 after completing her bachelors degree to pursue her Master of Social Work.
She is a creative, and adaptable professional with a strong background in mental health and social work, supporting Black-identifying postgraduate students
During her fellowship in Ghana, she supported female social entrepreneurs through the facilitation of impactful learning sessions.
Her passion for creative expression is evident through Zakilobakes, a custom dessert business where she combines her love of baking with community engagement, showcasing her unique desserts.
As a lifestyle content creator, she inspires others through reflections on self-awareness, mental health, and the importance of romanticizing life.
As a mentor, she is passionate about empowering others to build confidence, navigate new environments and unlock their potential.
In addition to making and content creation she loves solo dates spending time with friends, reality tv and anything romance!
Hi, I’m Chinweizu Okeke. I’m Nigerian, moved to Canada in 2013 for university in Toronto and currently work as a Research & Policy Associate for an environment economy think tank. I chose to be a mentor in this programme because my friend asked me, and because my time as an international student and then a work permit holder was instructive in my development here. As such, I feel like I can share lessons from those experiences with incoming students, while also learning from them and seeing what- if anything- has changed in the experience of an international student in Canada.
My hobbies include playing and watching far too much football, working out, reading, listening to music and podcasts, cooking, cycling and jamming with my friends (I play drums).