Bolaji Kukoyi Turned a One-Way Ticket From Lagos into $21.7 Million Project in Birmingham

birminghamal.gov When 17-year-old Bolaji Kukoyi migrated to Birmingham from Lagos, Nigeria, failure was not an option, he said. With a one-way ticket to travel nearly 6,000 miles from home, he had to find success among a city he had never known. “I didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “I just knew I wanted to be a part of something big and bigger than myself.” He attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham, studied mathematics and civil engineering. “I took it one day at a time,” he said. “Doors opened. Doors closed.” Today, 27 years later, not only has Kukoyi found success, but he will play a major role in the future development of Birmingham. He is the president of Dynamic Civil Solutions, a community-focused engineering firm that was recently selected to be the lead consultant on a transformative new urban trail in the city of Birmingham. The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $21.7 million to the City of Birmingham to develop a comprehensive trail system that serves not only as a modern improvement for Birmingham, but also as a living tribute to the rich history of civil rights struggle and progress within Birmingham’s historic communities. The Birmingham Civil Rights...