Funke Bolodeoku’s career shows how professional expertise can evolve into a broader pursuit of purpose without leaving its foundation behind.
A legal practitioner with 10 years of experience, Bolodeoku has worked across corporate and commercial law, board and company secretarial advisory, as well as legal and compliance matters for global organisations. Along the way, her work exposed her to environmental assessment and sustainability issues, eventually shaping the direction of her professional journey.
Rather than describing her career as a move away from law, Bolodeoku sees sustainability as an area where she can apply the knowledge and skills she gained from her legal career to wider environmental, social and business challenges.
How Her Sustainability Journey Began
Bolodeoku’s interest in sustainability developed gradually. Early in her career, she worked alongside experts reviewing existing National Guidelines and helping to draft new guidelines covering environmental assessments in Nigeria.
That experience introduced her to the wider sustainability space and sparked an interest that continued to grow.
Her later experience as Head of Legal for about four years also gave her opportunities to work on projects and within organisations where sustainability issues became increasingly relevant. Through further training and professional development, she expanded her role beyond traditional legal and regulatory responsibilities.
For Bolodeoku, the transition was therefore less about abandoning law and more about applying her legal training in a different and broader context.
Why Sustainability Became More Than Just a Career Move
Bolodeoku says her legal background remains central to her professional identity. What changed was how she began applying that experience.
Instead of limiting her contribution to regulatory compliance and legal services, she found opportunities to use her skills to help organisations consider sustainability as part of their operations and profitability.
Her motivation is also closely connected to the opportunity to contribute to environmental and social challenges.
The constant changes within the sustainability sector, opportunities to keep learning and the chance to work with people and organisations pursuing similar goals have continued to fuel her interest.
For her, the journey combines professional expertise, personal values and a desire to contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future.
What the Sustainability Industry Could Look Like in the Next 10 Years
Bolodeoku expects sustainability to become increasingly important to organisations over the next five to 10 years.
She believes businesses will face stronger expectations and regulations around issues such as carbon emissions, pollution and social equity. At the same time, organisations are likely to pay greater attention to climate resilience, renewable energy and more efficient use of resources.
The circular economy is also expected to become more prominent as businesses look for ways to reduce waste and make better use of resources.
Technology, according to Bolodeoku, will play an important role in areas such as resource management and supply chains, while consumers are expected to demand greater transparency from businesses about their sustainability claims and practices.
Sustainable finance is another area she expects to expand. Green bonds, impact investing and other sustainable finance tools could increasingly direct investment towards projects and businesses with sustainability goals.
As these changes continue, the sector could attract growing interest from professionals, regulators and the wider public.
The Skills Professionals Need to Succeed
Working in sustainability requires more than passion for environmental issues.
Bolodeoku identifies a combination of technical and interpersonal abilities as important for anyone hoping to build a successful career in the sector.
Professionals need technical knowledge of sustainability, strong analytical abilities and the capacity to interpret data and develop practical solutions. Understanding regulations is also important, particularly as organisations navigate an increasingly complex sustainability landscape.
She also highlights strategic thinking, leadership, communication and collaboration.
Data literacy and ethical awareness can help professionals make sound decisions, while project management skills are necessary to turn sustainability plans into actual results.
Together, these abilities can help professionals manage the complexity of the industry and contribute to initiatives with meaningful impact.
Five Common Misconceptions About Sustainability
Bolodeoku believes several misconceptions continue to shape how people view sustainability and the professionals who work in the field.
Sustainability Is Only About the Environment
One common misconception is that sustainability is simply about protecting the environment and that people working in the sector are primarily environmental activists.
Bolodeoku says the reality is much broader.
Sustainability involves environmental, social and economic considerations. Issues such as social equity and sustainable business practices are also part of the picture.
Professionals therefore have to consider scientific, economic and social factors when developing solutions that are both practical and beneficial.
Sustainability Only Adds to Business Costs
Another belief is that sustainability initiatives are unnecessary expenses that reduce profitability.
Bolodeoku argues that sustainable practices can instead create opportunities for cost savings, greater efficiency and new business models.
Technological improvements can also make sustainable solutions more practical and cost-effective over time, while responsible business practices may strengthen brand reputation and customer loyalty.
Sustainability Means Recycling
Recycling is often one of the first things people associate with sustainability, but it represents only a small part of the wider field.
The industry also covers areas such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable supply chains, green buildings and corporate social responsibility.
Sustainability Is Just a Passing Trend
Bolodeoku rejects the idea that sustainability will eventually disappear as another temporary business trend.
She views it as a lasting part of modern business and society because it addresses continuing challenges, including climate change and social inequality.
There Are Few Career Opportunities in Sustainability
The sustainability sector also offers more career options than many people realise.
Bolodeoku points to opportunities across areas such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, corporate sustainability and environmental consulting.
As organisations increasingly integrate sustainability into their operations, the range of professional roles available within the sector can continue to expand.
Her Approach to Career Growth
For professionals looking to develop within sustainability, Bolodeoku recommends adopting a growth mindset and making continuous learning a priority.
She believes professionals should establish clear short- and long-term career goals, preferably using SMART objectives, and regularly assess their progress.
Building meaningful professional connections within the industry is another important part of career development.
She also encourages people to pursue work-life integration rather than chase the idea of perfect balance.
According to Bolodeoku, what works will depend on a person’s circumstances and stage of life, making it important to allocate time and resources deliberately.
What She Might Have Done Instead
If she had not pursued law and sustainability, Bolodeoku says she could have imagined herself doing something connected to travel and nature.
More seriously, she believes storytelling could have suited her because of her interest in words and communication.
She also says she would likely have enjoyed working as a speechwriter, particularly for influential individuals, because she appreciates well-written speeches.
How She Unwinds Outside Work
When she has the time, Bolodeoku enjoys watching movies, particularly well-scripted action films involving organised crime and the FBI or CIA.
Swimming is another way she relaxes, while sleep helps her recharge after work.
The Career Lesson She Carries With Her
Among the many career lessons Bolodeoku has received, one stands out: sustainability is a marathon, not a sprint.
She believes professionals need to remain open-minded and maintain a long-term perspective if they want to create lasting impact.
Short-term achievements may be attractive, but meaningful sustainability requires looking at how decisions affect people, the planet and shared prosperity over time.
For Bolodeoku, that long-term thinking is at the heart of genuine sustainability. It requires understanding the relationship between social, environmental and economic factors and working towards systemic changes rather than focusing only on immediate results.
