Professor Beatrice Olutoyin Opeolu is an accomplished Nigerian-South African environmental chemist, toxicologist, educator, and scientific leader whose career spans over two decades of impactful teaching, research, mentorship, and public service. A renowned scholar in environmental toxicology, remediation science, and sustainable chemical management, she is widely celebrated for her leadership in shaping Africa’s scientific agenda for environmental protection and climate resilience.

She is the Founder and Director of Bee Solutions and Consultancy Services, an environmental consultancy established in 2022. Through this venture, she offers expert environmental consulting, career coaching, keynote speaking, and training services—bridging the gap between academia, policy, and industry. Her firm is driven by a vision to deliver solutions that are research-informed, practical, and deeply rooted in sustainability and public good.

Prior to this, Professor Opeolu served with distinction as a full Professor at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) in Cape Town, South Africa, where she led the university’s Environment, Climate Change, and Sustainability Research Focus Area. She held this position until July 2023, when she transitioned fully into private practice. During her tenure, she supervised advanced research projects, designed interdisciplinary programs, and built impactful collaborations aimed at addressing Africa’s most pressing environmental challenges—ranging from pollution and climate change to food safety and sustainable water management.

Professor Opeolu holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management and Toxicology and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Environmental Toxicology from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) in Nigeria. She also earned a Master’s degree in Environmental Biology from the University of Ibadan, reinforcing her deep academic grounding in environmental science.

Her academic journey began in 1997 as a Graduate Assistant at FUNAAB. She went on to complete a postdoctoral fellowship at CPUT in 2008, subsequently rising through the academic ranks to become one of the institution’s most respected senior scholars. Over the years, she taught a wide range of subjects including Inorganic Chemistry, Environmental Monitoring, Air and Water Quality Management, and Chemical Quality Assurance.

As a C-rated researcher by the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa, Professor Opeolu has made significant contributions to environmental toxicology, particularly in risk assessment, contaminant bioavailability, phytoremediation, and sustainable chemical use. Her research examines the environmental fate and ecological impact of contaminants in soil, water, and biota, focusing on how pollutants affect food systems, public health, and biodiversity. She has authored over 120 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and conference proceedings, placing her among the most prolific African scientists in her field.

Her influence extends well beyond academia. She is the Immediate Past President of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Africa and currently serves as Vice-President of the SETAC World Council, representing African interests in global scientific governance. She also contributes her expertise as a member of the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) Committee for Biological Testing Methods, shaping national standards in environmental safety and regulation.

A passionate advocate for equity and empowerment in science, she is the founder and convener of SETAC Africa Women’s Events, and co-convener of EmpowHer Nigeria and EmpowHer South Africa—initiatives that champion the professional advancement of African women in science and academia.

Professor Opeolu is also a dedicated mentor, having guided numerous postgraduate students and early-career professionals across academia, government, and civil society. She remains committed to nurturing the next generation of African scientists capable of addressing complex environmental challenges with innovation, excellence, and integrity.

With her expansive research portfolio, global leadership roles, and unwavering dedication to capacity building and environmental justice, Professor Beatrice Olutoyin Opeolu continues to be a leading voice in African environmental science—and a visionary shaping the future of sustainability across the continent and beyond.