Olukayode Awobajo holds a BSc in Accounting and an MSc in Management from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. Recently, he enrolled for his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Management at Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Nigeria.
Kayode is a professional member of the Project Management Institute (PMI) and West African Research and Innovation Management Association (WARIMA). Furthermore, he is a Fellow of the African Institute of Strategic Managers (AISM) and the Institute of Professional Managers and Administrators (IPMA). With professional training in diverse disciplines such as Fund Sourcing, Proposal Writing, Grants Budgeting, Financial Reporting, Grants Compliance, Audit & Risk Management, Monitoring & Evaluation, Strategic Innovation, Business Development and Project Management, Kayode is a well-experienced and versatile resource mobiliser, grants manager, and administrator. His extensive exposure has led him to facilitate several professional trainings at both local and international conferences and project meetings.
Boasting over 23 years of significant progressive career, Kayode has spent nearly 13 of those years with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), where he currently holds the position of Head of Project Development and Administration Unit (an Internationally Recruited Staff position). Before joining IITA in 2008, he gained relevant experience in both the private and public sectors, including roles at University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan and University of Lagos. At present, Kayode leads a dedicated team of professionals across diverse fields such as proposal & budget development, legal, ICT, and finance. They work together to provide robust project development and administration support for over 250 active multi-donor funded projects/programmes from proposal development to closeout stage. These projects include collaborations with organisations like BMGF, USAID, AfDB, IFAD, GIZ, World Bank, EU, UNICEF, USDA, DFID, IDRC, ADA, FARA, AGRA, DGDC, JICA, IDS, NESTLE, Mastercard Foundation, DELOITTE, and others.
His dedication to IITA’s goals earned him an Award of Excellence as Outstanding Support Staff (2012) by IITA Board of Trustees and a Recognition Award (2013) by IITA Management. He was also part of the team that clinched the Award of Excellence as Outstanding Team (2015) by IITA Board of Trustees, and the 2018 Best Risk Non-Profit Organisation by the Nigeria Risk Awards.
Kayode is happily married to Oluwakemi Awobajo and a proud father of 2 daughters who are both undergraduates.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO ALMA MATTER
- Chairman- Ex-Mays 82/87 Class set- Jan. 2015 – date
- Vice Chairman- Ex-Mays 82/87 Class set- 2010 – 2014
- Social Secretary- Mayflower Old Student’s Association (MOSA) 2013- 2015
- President- All Sets Ex-Mays (ASEM)- Jan. – Nov. 2008
- Treasurer- Mayflower Old Student’s Association (MOSA)- 2005 – 2006
- Financial Secretary- Mayflower Old Student’s Association (MOSA)- 2003 – 2004
- Member, 2011 MOSA Merit Awards Committee
- Co-Convener and Pioneer member- All Sets Ex-Mays (ASEM)
- Co-Convener and Pioneer member- Ex-Mays Value Resuscitation Initiative (Value Team)- 2013 – 2014
