Venite University Applauds Governing Council Member, Dr. Adenike Kolawole on Promotion to Associate Professor at EKSU

Venite University formally congratulates one of its distinguished Governing Council members, Dr. Adenike Olayinka Kolawole, on her recent elevation to the rank of Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Management, Faculty of Education, Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti. The institution described the academic feat as “a bold testament to intellectual consistency, resilience, and scholarly distinction,” further praising her impact on higher education, both locally and internationally.

She was welcomed into the world on December 9, 1965, to the respected Aina family of Ewu-Ekiti (Ileje-Meje LGA) and Ikoro-Ekiti (Ijero LGA). Dr. Kolawole’s academic journey began at Baptist Day School, Igede-Ekiti, in 1971. From there, she moved on to Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti (1976–1981), where she laid the foundation for a lifetime of academic excellence. She later earned her B.Ed. (Hons) in English and Education from the then Ondo State University, Ado-Ekiti (now EKSU) in 1988. Pursuing her postgraduate ambitions with remarkable focus, she obtained her M.Ed. in Educational Management from Lagos State University in 2002 and crowned it with a Ph.D. from EKSU in 2016.

Before joining the university system, Dr. Kolawole built a solid career in public service. She taught for over two decades in the secondary education sector, serving diligently under the Ogun and Lagos State Teaching Service Commissions from 1989 to 2012. Her entry into academia came that same year when she joined EKSU as an Assistant Lecturer. Her rise to Associate Professor in 2025 is not only the result of years of painstaking research and teaching. It is the embodiment of her relentless drive to reshape educational practice through evidence-based policies and inclusive leadership.

As a scholar, Dr. Kolawole focuses on key areas such as Educational Management, Organisational Behaviour in Education, Educational Planning, and Quality Assurance in Higher Education. She has published over 30 academic works, many of which are indexed in Scopus and DOAJ. Her research spans topics such as leadership in education, teacher motivation, gender disparities in school leadership, and communication dynamics in educational institutions.

Her academic engagements are not confined to Nigeria. Over the years, she has presented papers at international conferences in countries such as Ghana, United States, and Canada, amplifying the global relevance of her work and building bridges between Nigerian educational thought and global academic discourse. Dr. Kolawole is also an active member of several professional bodies, including the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), the Nigeria Association for Educational Administration and Planning (NAEAP), the Higher Education Research and Policy Network (HERPNET), and the European Centre for Research Training and Development, UK.

At Venite University, Dr. Kolawole has been a critical voice on the Governing Council, where her contributions continue to influence the university’s strategic direction. A senior management member of the institution said her experience has helped shape policy around academic structure, staff development, and institutional accountability. “She’s one of the calm forces behind many of our most important decisions,” one senior faculty member remarked. “She doesn’t speak to impress, she speaks to progress.”

Dr. Kolawole, who has been married to Hon. Vincent Oladapo Kolawole since 1992 and the marriage is blessed with God-fearing children and grandchildren, is as devoted to family as she is to scholarship. Her promotion, while long anticipated by peers, still comes as a refreshing reminder that merit and perseverance are not outdated currencies in the Nigerian academic landscape.

Venite University pledged to continue supporting her in every capacity and sees her advancement as a step forward not only for EKSU but for the future of quality tertiary education in Nigeria.

We congratulate Dr. Adenike Kolawole on this remarkable achievement and eagerly anticipate her continued impact at Venite University and beyond. Her promotion reflects the dedication and expertise that strengthen our Governing Council and inspire the wider academic community. As she advances, we are confident her leadership will help shape the future of education, driving excellence and empowering the next generation of scholars. Venite University is proud to have her as a vital part of our journey forward.