Dr. Olayemi Jumoke Abiodun-Oyebanji, wife of the Executive Governor of Ekiti State, was born in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, into the distinguished family of High Chief Samuel Adedipe (Elerebi Omowa) of Irona Quarters, Ado-Ekiti. She commenced her education at Baptist Primary School, Irona, Ado-Ekiti, from 1976 to 1982, and continued at Baptist Secondary School, Ado-Ekiti, between 1982 and 1987, where she served with distinction as Head Girl. Motivated by a profound love for learning, she pursued a degree in Educational Management and Economics at the University of Ibadan, graduating in 1997 with a Second-Class Upper Division.
Following her mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year, Dr. Oyebanji advanced her studies at the University of Ado-Ekiti (now Ekiti State University), earning a Master’s degree in Educational Management in 2001. She further distinguished herself academically by obtaining her Doctorate degree in 2010 with a thesis titled “Resource Situation and Academic Staff Job Performance in Southwest Nigerian Universities.” Her academic specialization spans Institutional Administration, Higher Education, Quality Assurance, Human Resource Development, and Leadership in Education.
She began her academic career as a Graduate Assistant at the University of Ado-Ekiti (now Ekiti State University) in 2000, steadily rising through the academic ranks. In 2013, she transferred to the University of Ibadan to be closer to her family, accepting a position as Lecturer II. Since then, she has advanced consistently and is currently an Associate Professor, awaiting promotion to full Professorship.
Throughout her career, she has undertaken numerous leadership and administrative roles within the university system, contributing significantly to academic development, quality assurance, community service, student affairs, and institutional governance.
Her professional affiliations reflect her dedication to scholarship and service. She holds membership in prominent national and international academic bodies, including the National Association of Women in Academics, the National Association of Educational Administration and Planning, the Commonwealth Council for Educational Administration and Management in New Zealand, the Global Education Network, and the Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria, among others. Her consultancy experience includes work with reputable organizations such as the Nigerian Union of Teachers, the State Universal Basic Education Board, and UNICEF. She has also participated in academic engagements across Nigeria and internationally, travelling to countries such as Ghana, Iceland, Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and Canada.
Dr. Oyebanji has supervised several doctoral and Master’s students and boasts over ninety publications in respected local and international journals, many of which are accessible on academic platforms such as Google Scholar, Academia.edu, and ResearchGate. Beyond academia, she enjoys a fulfilling family life, being happily married and blessed with children.
Public Service and Advocacy
Currently serving as the First Lady of Ekiti State, following her husband’s election in 2022, Dr. Oyebanji has extended her service to the public sphere with the same passion and dedication that marked her academic career. Recognized throughout Southwest Nigeria for her advocacy, she is a prominent voice in the promotion of women’s rights, gender equality, and community development.
Among her many initiatives is the establishment of the Adire Ekiti Hub, which seeks to promote the state’s rich cultural heritage while providing economic opportunities for women. The commissioning of the hub’s main building and workshop in March 2024, officiated by Olori Aderonke Ogunwusi, wife of the Ooni of Ife, marked a significant milestone for the project and for Ekiti State. Dr. Oyebanji described the occasion as the beginning of a new chapter, promising long-term benefits for both beneficiaries and the local economy.
A deeply empathetic individual, she also founded the Widows and Orphans Hope (WAOH) Project, designed to support and empower vulnerable populations. Her life story reveals a personal history of resilience; she has openly shared the financial hardships she faced as a student, struggling to afford basic needs while pursuing her education. Nevertheless, through perseverance and faith, she achieved academic excellence and professional success.
In a 2023 interview with The PUNCH, she recounted asking her husband, Biodun Oyebanji, during their courtship whether he intended to enter politics, revealing her initial hesitation about political life. Despite his diplomatic answer at the time, she later embraced the divine direction of his political journey, confident that God’s guidance would sustain him.
As First Lady, Dr. Oyebanji has made the empowerment of women and youth her primary mission. She has been a leading figure in the fight against gender-based violence, spearheading advocacy campaigns in universities across the state and strengthening the activities of the State Gender-Based Violence Management Committee. Through her efforts, she continues to push for safer, more inclusive environments for women and children while promoting community development, arts and culture, and social welfare.
A Legacy of Leadership and Compassion
Dr. Olayemi Jumoke Abiodun-Oyebanji’s life is a powerful testament to resilience, leadership, and service. Her journey from humble beginnings to distinguished academic achievement, combined with her ongoing commitment to public service, continues to inspire generations within and beyond Ekiti State. Balancing her roles as scholar, advocate, mother, and First Lady, she remains dedicated to building a more just, inclusive, and prosperous society for all.
