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By Christy Anyanwu
Olayinka Olasehinde was one of the contestants of Miss World Nigeria early this year. It was a keenly contested pageant that took place in Lagos. Despite her not pulling through at the competition, she said the contest and preparations opened her eyes to many things. In this interview with Sunday Sun, Olayinka, an entrepreneur and tech executive in the United Kingdom, with a passion for providing healthcare for undeserved communities, bared her mind on the pageant, how it impacted her career, and other topics of interest.
What would you consider the most interesting things about yourself?
I am the founder of Ọlá Aromatherapy, natural mood-changing candles, a wellness brand that has grown steadily on Instagram over the past few years. I am currently rebranding, and I will be launching a new loungewear brand next year.
My passion has always been centred around anything that makes me feel feminine, confident and connected to myself. This new line embodies exactly that — elegant, comforting and empowering designs created for women who enjoy feeling soft yet strong in their everyday moments.
You recently contested for Miss World Nigeria. What made you consider the competition?
I was born in Akure, Ondo State, before relocating to the United Kingdom at an early age, but my roots and passion have always remained in Nigeria. My interest in the healthcare sector here inspired me to take part in Miss World Nigeria and, also, losing my dad in 2020 was something that ignited my interest. I saw it as a powerful platform to bring my initiatives to life, one focused on improving healthcare access, particularly for people in rural communities. My vision is to leverage digital technology to bridge the gap in healthcare accessibility across Nigeria.
What was your experience during the whole episode?
Being part of Miss World Nigeria earlier this year gave me the opportunity to share this vision and now I am more energized than ever to turn it into reality. Beyond my professional interests, I am a lover of fitness, painting and traveling, and these activities fuel my creativity and keep me grounded.
Looking ahead, I aspire to grow as an entrepreneur while driving meaningful change through healthcare initiatives, empowering communities and making a lasting impact in Nigeria and beyond. I live in London where I work as an IT project manager responsible for delivering technology projects on time and to standard. With nearly four years of experience, I’ve gained valuable insights into the corporate world, learning how to lead a diverse team, managing stakeholders and driving successful outcomes in a fast-paced environment.
I moved to London at a very early age. As a black girl then, it felt very different from my experience in Nigeria. It was isolating at first and the environment took some time getting used to.
Over time, though, I adapted and grew to love the UK for its diversity and uniqueness while cherishing Nigeria for its rich culture and vibrancy. Growing up in Nigeria before moving to the UK was truly incredible. Some of my fondest memories are of spending time with my grandmother, cooking, and the lessons she passed on shaped the woman I am today.
What lessons have you learnt in all these?
Returning to Nigeria years later and reconnecting with childhood friends has been refreshing, bringing back so many joyful memories. Growing up in the UK also gave me new opportunities, teaching me how to adapt, meeting new people and embracing diverse experiences, all of which have contributed to my personal growth. I decided to take part in the pageant because of my initiative focused on improving healthcare accessibility in rural parts of the country.
Losing my dad in 2020 deeply inspired me to take this path as it highlighted the urgent need for better healthcare services in underserved communities. Through research, I realised that the biggest challenges are affordability and accessibility and I believe digital technology can help bridge that gap. The Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria platform gave me the opportunity to share this vision, gain visibility for my initiative and connect with people who share the same passion.
It was also my first pageant experience and while it came with challenges, I truly loved being on stage, meeting incredible women and learning lessons that will guide me in future opportunities. My experience during the Most Beautiful Girl finale was absolutely refreshing. I loved the energy and joy on stage as well as listening to other contestants share their initiatives and visions for Nigeria.
What challenges/obstacles did you encounter before and after preparations for the contest?
It was inspiring to see so many passionate young people with fresh ideas on how to make a real impact and I felt proud to stand among individuals who shared the same drive and enthusiasm as me. Before the contest, one of my biggest challenges was coming to Lagos alone for the first time. I’d never stayed there before and navigating the city, finding a secure place and adjusting to the environment was difficult.
I initially stayed in Lekki but eventually found that Ikoyi and Victoria Island suited my reserved yet confident personality better. Another challenge was finding reliable stylists for preparation. Although I received some help along the way, it was difficult at first. After the contest, the main challenges were reflecting on areas for improvement and learning from the experience to prepare better for future opportunities.
Another challenge I faced during the competition was finding a reliable stylist, like I initially mentioned, which affected my preparation. However, it became a valuable lesson and I believe the experience has better prepared me for future contests. I am grateful for both the challenges and the growth they brought.
What lessons did the challenges teach you?
Through this journey, I’ve learned the importance of resilience, adaptability and preparation. Moving to a new environment on my own taught me independence and confidence. While the challenges I faced during the contest showed me how vital it is to be resourceful and prepared, I’ve also learned that every obstacle is an opportunity for growth and thus staying true to my vision.
Improving early accessibility in Nigeria keeps me motivated. Most importantly, while I’ve realised the value of community collaboration, I’m using every platform as a chance to learn, improve and inspire others.
How would you describe your impression of Nigeria during your stay in the country?
My first week in Nigeria, especially Lagos, was quite challenging. Like I initially mentioned, it was my first time staying there and I found it difficult to navigate the city or figure out which locations were most suitable for me. But with the support of a few friends, I began to understand Lagos better.
I initially stayed in Lekk but soon discovered that Ikoyi, which is reserved and calm in nature, suited my personality perfectly. Stepping outside of my comfort zone has allowed me to reconnect deeply with my culture. The more I experience Nigeria, the more I feel drawn to stay.
I’ve also noticed how much the country has changed. There is a growing energy, innovation and involvement from young people, which is truly inspiring. Nigeria has its challenges but it is also full of opportunities and my time here has strengthened my desire to contribute positively to its growth.
With the pageant over, what are your plans in the short and long term?
In the short term, my focus is on developing and starting my healthcare initiative, starting with a few projects that leverage digital technology to improve access for people in urban areas. I also want to continue building my personal growth, learning from my pageant experience and using platforms like The Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria to raise awareness about healthcare challenges.
In the long term, I aspire to grow as a social entrepreneur and expand my initiative into a sustainable model that can be scaled across Nigeria and, eventually, Africa and beyond. Beyond healthcare, I also want to inspire young women to pursue their passions fearlessly, embrace leadership roles and contribute to society. Ultimately, I see myself combining my professional expertise in high-tech pressure management with my passion for healthcare to drive lasting impact in communities.
Tell us more about your brand that you are set to launch soon…
The brand will also offer specially curated pieces for men, designed to evoke comfort, confidence and ease, expanding the sense of wellness and presence that inspired my aromatherapy line.
This new chapter merges my love for beauty, wellbeing and self-expression. With this rebrand, I aim to create a lifestyle universe — where scent, texture and design come together to help people feel good in their bodies and at home in their space.
