Prof. G. O. Akinola’s Profile

Professor Grace Oluyemisi Akinola is a distinguished academic in the Department of Business Administration at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife. Her multidisciplinary academic journey is marked by an impressive array of qualifications, including a Ph.D. in Business Administration from OAU and a Master of Philosophy in Science and Technology Studies from the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, where she specialized in Research Monitoring and Evaluation. This diverse educational background in Mathematics, Computer Science, and Management allows her to bring unique analytical depth and interdisciplinary rigor to her research and teaching.

As a prolific scholar, Professor Akinola has published extensively in reputable local and international journals and has successfully supervised over twenty postgraduate theses and doctoral dissertations. Her global academic footprint includes participation in high-level conferences and workshops across Africa and Europe, such as the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Italy and the Association of African Business Schools in Ghana. Beyond the classroom, she is a dedicated mentor to both undergraduate and professional master’s students, consistently fostering critical thinking and scientific communication skills.

Throughout her career, Professor Akinola has achieved significant institutional milestones, notably serving as the first female Head of the Department of Management and Accounting and the first female Coordinator of the Executive MBA Programme at OAU. Her leadership extends to roles as Dean of Student Affairs and Chairperson of the Faculty of Administration Postgraduate Committee. A Fellow of the Institute of Business Administration and Knowledge Management (IBAKM) and an active member of organizations like the American Marketing Association (AMA), she continues to be a pioneering force for academic excellence and inclusive leadership in Nigeria.