He started his advanced level studies at the Federal School of Arts and Sciences Suleja, Niger State in 1988 and then proceeded to the University of Lagos where he earned a Second-Class Upper bachelor's degree in Mass Communication in 1994.

[5] In July 2011, he was appointed into the cabinet of the former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, when he was appointed as the Honourable Minister of Youth Development in July 2011 and later as the Honourable Minister of Sports when he led the Nigerian National Team, the Super Eagles to win the Africa Cup of Nations after 19 years and the Under 17 World Cup for the 5th time.

Sweet Sixteen was featured in the 2019 and 2020 Joint Admission and Matriculation Board of the Federal Republic of Nigeriaas the general reading text.

A reviewer for The Guardian, Akin Oseni, noted that "whether Bolaji Abdullahi has been a success as a politician or otherwise is an exclusive debate for political jurists to negotiate.

"[9] The Daily Trust wrote that it was a "compelling tale, loaded with morality and textured with a rich lyrical prose and young adult lingo…story-story, my bestie, OMG among others.

Since inception, it has drawn high quality resource persons, including Seun Onigbinde of BudgIT and Mrs. Maryam Uwais of the office of the Vice President.