For Dr. Adesola Cole-Alegbe, the title of her debut book, The Woman I Have Become, is more than a description of her present identity. It is a reflection of a journey shaped by survival, cultural adaptation, self-discovery, mistakes, resilience and leadership.

Cole-Alegbe, a UK-based technology specialist, project manager, business analyst, artificial intelligence (AI) specialist and business development professional, said the book was inspired by a desire to document the experiences that shaped her into the woman she is today.

According to her, the book, which took several years to complete because of repeated bouts of procrastination, chronicles her experience of growing up in the United Kingdom and subsequently adapting to Nigerian culture.

“It is a book about survival. It is a book about adapting to my culture, Nigerian culture, having been raised in the UK for a very long time. It is a book about self-identity. It is a book on my steps to leadership and the mistakes that I’ve made,” she said.

The title, she explained, also reflects the fact that her journey is far from over. Cole-Alegbe said she remains a work in progress, still learning, developing and drawing lessons from past mistakes, while being proud of the woman she has become.

The five-chapter book begins with her journey to Nigeria, examining the transition from her life in the UK to a new environment and culture. The second chapter focuses on adapting to Nigerian culture, exploring the challenges and experiences that came with navigating a culture different from the one in which she was raised. The third chapter takes readers through her university experience in Nigeria, while the fourth recounts her return to the UK and the period when she took on several jobs, including cleaning and other roles she was not necessarily passionate about. The final chapter, her steps to success as a CEO, brings together the lessons, setbacks and decisions that ultimately shaped her professional journey.

For young people, Cole-Alegbe said the book carries an important message about success. She stressed that success does not happen overnight, urging youths to identify their interests rather than simply follow popular trends.

She recalled venturing into makeup and hair because others were doing similar things, before eventually discovering her passion for technology. She also encouraged young people to believe in themselves, particularly those who may have been made to feel inadequate because of their appearance or background.

As AI continues to transform the workplace, Cole-Alegbe urged youths not to rely solely on the technology to complete tasks. Rather, she advocated continuous learning, intellectual development, creativity, innovation and the ability to think independently.

She also called for greater attention to teaching young Nigerians not merely how to consume AI tools, but how AI works and how to build the technology itself.

Cole-Alegbe said she hopes to develop initiatives that would expose younger Nigerians to the fundamentals of AI, while encouraging collaboration among government, universities and technology specialists.

For her, The Woman I Have Become is ultimately a story of becoming — and a reminder that success is not a destination, but an evolving journey.