EKITI SUMMIT AWARDS 2026
Personality of the Year
Her Excellency Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji
Dr. Olayemi Olajumoke Oyebanji is the First Lady of Ekiti State and a distinguished academic, educator, and public servant. She was born in the early 1970s into the royal lineage of Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. While details of her early childhood remain largely private, she has emerged in public life as a respected figure defined by scholarship, humility, and service.
She holds advanced academic qualifications in Educational Management and has built a strong career in higher education spanning over two decades. Dr. Oyebanji began her academic career at Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, around the year 2000, where she lectured for approximately 12–13 years before moving to the University of Ibadan (UI) in 2013.
At the University of Ibadan, she serves in the Department of Educational Management, where she rose to the rank of Senior Lecturer and was later elevated to Associate Professor, with her promotion backdated to 2022. She is widely respected in academia, with over 85 scholarly publications in reputable journals and a strong record of supervising and mentoring doctoral candidates.
Even after assuming the role of First Lady, Dr. Oyebanji has remained actively engaged in teaching and mentorship, contributing to both Ekiti State University and Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, as part of her commitment to community service and educational development.
As First Lady of Ekiti State, she has championed impactful social intervention programmes, particularly focused on vulnerable groups. Through her Widows, Aged, Orphans and the Homeless (WAOH) initiative, she provides support to disadvantaged members of society. She has also led Back-to-School programmes, distributing school materials and educational support to orphans and underprivileged children across the state.
Known for her humility and hands-on leadership style, Dr. Oyebanji is widely admired for her direct engagement with students and communities, reflecting a rare blend of academic excellence and grassroots impact.
She is married to His Excellency, Biodun Oyebanji, the Governor of Ekiti State. In public life, she is consistently described as humble, purpose-driven, and deeply rooted in Yoruba cultural values, particularly the ethos of Omoluabi, which emphasizes integrity, respect, and moral character.
Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji stands as a model of modern leadership—bridging academia, governance, and humanitarian service. Her life reflects a commitment to education, empowerment, and the upliftment of society, especially women and children.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions to education, social development, mentorship, and public service, the EKITI SUMMIT AWARDS 2026 proudly honours Her Excellency Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji as the Personality of the Year.