Business Administration
Lagos State Polytechnic
About Salmat
The Journey Behind the Work
Nigeria. Lebanon. Canada.
Three countries. Different chapters. One journey that shaped how I understand people, purpose, resilience and starting again.
A life that did not follow a straight line.
Salmat Olatuyi is a community leader, entrepreneur, advocate, author, and social-service professional whose work has been shaped by experience across Nigeria, Lebanon, and Canada.
Her journey has not followed a straight or easy path. Before building organizations and creating opportunities for others, she experienced seasons of hardship, displacement, rebuilding, and starting again. Those experiences became part of the foundation of her leadership, giving her an understanding of what it means to build a new life, establish a business, navigate unfamiliar systems, and pursue success in a new environment.
Her professional background bridges business, community development, social services, human rights, advocacy, and immigrant settlement. She studied Business Administration at Lagos State Polytechnic, completed Social Service Work at Mohawk College, and studied Community Social Services at the University of Guelph-Humber. Her additional professional development includes human rights training through the U.S. Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights (USIDHR) and gender-based violence training through the Lebanese American University.
Nigeria
Building and serving
Before Canada and before SplitRoots Community Centre, Salmat's community-service journey was already taking shape. Earlier organized work included outreach, education, women's empowerment and practical community support through what is now SplitRoots Charitable Foundation, formerly BARF.
Lebanon
Witnessing, advocating and speaking
While living in Lebanon, Salmat became involved in advocacy concerning the rights and treatment of migrant domestic workers, including advocacy surrounding the Kafala system. Her community and humanitarian work during this period included public advocacy, outreach, education, and engagement with vulnerable communities. Her contributions were recognized through several awards of excellence.
Canada
Rebuilding, then building community again
Today, her experience informs her work as the founder and leader of SplitRoots Community Centre, where she works to strengthen belonging, opportunity, connection, and support for newcomers, immigrants, families, and the wider community.
Professional foundation
Experience supported by education and continued learning.
Salmat’s professional foundation brings together business, social services, community work, human rights and gender-based-violence learning. Final published credential wording will be matched to her official records.
Social Service Work
Mohawk College
Community Social Services
University of Guelph-Humber
Human Rights & Gender-Based Violence
USIDHR and Lebanese American University
Her perspective is particularly valuable to immigrants rebuilding their lives and entrepreneurs starting or rebuilding businesses, because she understands both journeys beyond theory. She knows what it means to begin with an idea, encounter setbacks, learn unfamiliar systems, rebuild confidence, and continue creating something meaningful.
“My journey taught me that starting over does not mean starting from nothing. You carry your experience, your lessons, your resilience, and everything the previous chapter taught you.”Salmat Olatuyi