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When Oluwatobi "Tobi" Oshikoya steps onto the track, his focus and determination are unmistakable. A standout in the long jump, high jump, and triple jump, the accomplished Dal Engineering student-athlete has mastered it all.

However, when he completes his chemical engineering studies this Spring, he’ll be remembered for more than just his academic achievements. As captain of Dal’s Men’s Varsity Track and Field team, Oshikoya’s positive energy, inspirational pet talks and camaraderie have led to countless victories.

“I’m not a very outspoken person, but depending on the situation, I can step into that role,” says the Nigerian born athlete. “It’s definitely caused some growth for me because I know how to be a leader now. I’ve seen the effects of being more vocal and the presence that I have on the younger athletes.”

As captain, Oshikoya has honed the ability to guide and motivate others, ensuring that each team member feels supported, confident and ready to perform.

“That energy spreads and you can feel it in competitions,” he adds. “In turn, it also builds confidence in me, creating a cycle where we all feed off each other’s energy.”

From Mentee to Mentor  

Throughout his academic journey, Oshikoya has carried that same energy beyond the track. Despite a chaotic schedule filled with competitions, training, and coursework, he still finds time to inspire the next generation of engineering leaders, mentoring young students through Imhotep’s Legacy Academy (ILA). The organization encourages Black youth to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

“I started as a mentor for the program in my third year of engineering. After two years, I transitioned into the role of program coordinator, where I’ve been able to take on more responsibility and contribute to shaping the program,” he says.

Programs such as ILA’s FIRST LEGO League competition, a dynamic and immersive event designed to engaged young students in STEM through the world of robotics. It was a program Oshikoya was first introduced to in junior high after moving to Canada from Ireland. While ILA helped him connect with the African Nova Scotian community, it also introduced him to coding and robotics, fields he had never explored before. Despite his love for math, science, and physics, this experience opened his eyes to an entirely new world of innovation and problem-solving.

Now, as a mentor with ILA, Oshikoya strives to create the same positive and engaging environment for young students, applying the same leadership skills he brings to the track.

“When it’s time to have fun, we do. But when we’re working toward a competition, we’re focused, vocal, and giving clear instructions. They follow immediately because they know it’s time to get down to business.’

“They look up to us,” he continues, emphasizing that one of the most valuable lessons he shares with younger students is to “enjoy the process.” As Oshikoya approaches the end of his undergraduate journey, this advice carries even deeper meaning for him.

“I'm in my final year of eligibility for Track and Field now and I'm looking at the calendar and saying, oh the season's practically almost done,” he explains. “But the jokes I shared with my teammates, the hard workouts, the great workouts, the good practises, the terrible practises, the assignments that I did, the late nights spent trying to complete a project, the great marks the bad marks, that's essentially what makes your character and what causes your development and growth, so you should really just enjoy each step of that and always put your best foot forward.”

Oshikoya hints that his time at Dal Engineering may not be over just yet, as he awaits news on a potential master's program with Dal Chemical Engineering Researcher, Dr. Alison Scott.

“If I get accepted into my Master's at Dal, I could still like be involved in that environment (track and field) and even in an assistant role helping the coach,” he says.

‘I also hope to continue my involvement with programs like Imhotep’s Legacy Academy or similar initiatives that support the growth and development of youth of African heritage in underrepresented fields, especially STEM,’ he says.