Building Bridges Across Perceived Divides: Ibitayo Olajide's Climate Journey

Ibitayo Olajide is based in Dubai, at what she describes as "the heart of a region rapidly emerging as a global leader in climate and sustainability. That energy continues to shape how I think, work, and engage."

She holds a postgraduate degree in Environmental Management and began her career with UN-Habitat, working on sustainable urban youth development and ESG-focused initiatives. Two years ago, she re-entered the professional space during a pivotal moment for climate in the UAE. With COP28 drawing global attention to the region's leadership, her return felt timely and aligned with the direction she wanted to grow.

Today, she serves as an Expatriate Support Advisor at one of the world's leading oil and gas firms. "My role sits at the intersection of people, policy, and energy - an unexpected but powerful vantage point. It continues to teach me that meaningful change often begins from within, especially when we're willing to engage across sectors and perspectives."

Experiencing Both Sides

Ibitayo joined the Climate Bridges mentorship program as both a mentor and a mentee. She wanted to experience the full spectrum of learning through giving back while also stretching herself. At the time, she had just moved to the region and was preparing to attend COP28. The program offered a space to reflect, exchange, and grow, becoming a meaningful part of her re-entry into climate work.

What made her mentorship relationships feel different was that they weren't one-directional. Her mentee, a postgraduate student in Spain, was an engaged communicator - curious, thoughtful, and generous with feedback. At the same time, her mentor in London challenged her to prove that her climate advocacy was sincere, even with an oil and gas affiliation.

"These relationships were built on honesty, curiosity, and trust. They pushed me to be clearer, braver, and more intentional."

A Turning Point

There was a moment when something shifted. "There was a turning point when I realized that climate progress cannot happen in silos. My conversations with both mentor and mentee revealed that collaboration isn't optional. It is essential. Whether across generations, industries, or ideologies, we move further and faster, together."

That mindset shift has stayed with her. It reinforced what her professional role was already teaching her - that meaningful change requires engaging across sectors and perspectives, even when those sectors seem at odds with each other.

Learning From Both Directions

The qualities that had the biggest impact on Ibitayo came from both her mentor and her mentee.

From her mentee: "her bold curiosity. She asked questions without hesitation and reminded me that inquiry is a form of leadership."

From her mentor: "her initial skepticism followed by openness. That journey taught me that building bridges across perceived divides takes patience, clarity, and persistence. It was a lesson in the power of shared purpose."

That lesson about building bridges applies directly to her work at the intersection of oil and gas and climate advocacy - a position that requires exactly that patience, clarity, and persistence to demonstrate that meaningful change can come from within traditional energy sectors.

Redefining Mentorship

The experience changed how Ibitayo sees mentorship itself. "Absolutely. Even now, two years later, I carry the lessons from that experience. I see mentorship less as a hierarchy and more as a partnership. It is a space where perspectives meet, clash, and ultimately enrich each other. In the climate space, where complexity is the norm, that kind of exchange is not just valuable. It is vital."

That understanding of mentorship as partnership rather than hierarchy reflects her broader philosophy about climate work - that progress requires collaboration across perceived divides rather than working in isolated silos.

Resources for Growth

For people in the climate field seeking personal or professional growth, Ibitayo recommends Mindset by Carol Dweck. "It explores the power of believing that abilities and perspectives can evolve through effort and openness. In the climate space, and especially in mentorship, this mindset is essential. Progress depends on our willingness to challenge assumptions, embrace discomfort, and grow together."

Advice for Future Participants

For anyone considering joining the program, Ibitayo's encouragement is clear: "Go for it with an open mind and open heart. Be ready to both give and receive. The true value lies in the diversity of people and perspectives you'll encounter, and in realizing that mentorship is a shared journey of discovery. If you're on the fence, take the leap. You'll be surprised by how much you grow, and how much you've got to give."

The Power of Engagement

Ibitayo's experience demonstrates how mentorship can mirror the broader work of climate action. Both require building bridges across perceived divides, engaging with curiosity rather than judgment, and recognising that collaboration across different perspectives moves everyone further and faster.

From Dubai to COP28, from oil and gas to climate advocacy, from mentee to mentor, she continues proving that meaningful change often begins from within, especially when we're willing to engage across sectors and perspectives that might seem contradictory but are ultimately working toward shared purpose.

Learn more about the Be One Mentorship Programme