Happy Birthday to Her Excellency Professor Modupe Adeola Adelabu
By Femi Alufa
Her Excellency Professor Modupe Adeola Adelabu stands as one of Nigeria’s distinguished scholar-administrators whose career has successfully combined academic excellence, educational reform, and public service.
Renowned for her contributions to educational administration and governance, she served as Deputy Governor of Ekiti State from 2013 to 2014 and has remained a respected voice in Nigeria’s education sector.
She was born on May 23, 1950, in Ado-Ekiti, Professor Adelabu hails from a royal family as the daughter of Prince and Mrs. Samuel Adepoju Adejugbe. Her formative years reflected a strong commitment to learning and discipline, traits that later defined her professional life.
She attended Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti, between 1962 and 1967 before proceeding to Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo, from 1968 to 1970. Her pursuit of higher education led her to Obafemi Awolowo University, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1975, an M.Phil. in 1981, and a Ph.D. in 1990.
Professor Adelabu began her academic career at Obafemi Awolowo University in 1976 as a Graduate Assistant. Through diligence and scholarly distinction, she advanced steadily through the academic ranks and became a Professor of Educational Administration in 2008.
She served several terms as Head of the Department of Educational Administration, providing intellectual leadership and mentoring generations of students and researchers. Her scholarly interests span educational policy, teacher development, educational personnel management, and the challenges of poverty and gender inequality in rural education.
An accomplished researcher and author, she has published more than thirty academic papers in reputable journals. Her scholarship also includes the book Navigating the Politics of Universal Education Policies in Nigeria, which examines the intersection of governance, policy implementation, and educational access in Nigeria.
Professor Adelabu’s transition into public administration reflected her longstanding commitment to educational development. She served as Executive Chairman of the Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) from 2011 to 2014, where she championed reforms aimed at improving school infrastructure, strengthening teacher accountability, and enhancing learning outcomes.
In May 2013, she was appointed Deputy Governor of Ekiti State by Kayode Fayemi following the death of Deputy Governor Funmilayo Olayinka. During her tenure, she contributed significantly to governance and educational policy within the state administration.
Her national service further expanded when she chaired the National Board for Technical Education from 2018 to 2021, promoting reforms in technical and vocational education across Nigeria. More recently, she was appointed Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Examinations Council by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a role that underscores her enduring relevance in Nigeria’s educational leadership.
Professor Adelabu’s expertise has earned her international recognition and consultancy roles with major development institutions, including the World Bank, UNESCO, UNICEF, United Nations Development Programme, and the UK Department for International Development (DFID).
Her contributions to education and leadership have been acknowledged through several honours, including the Kwame Nkrumah Leadership Award in 2013 and the ABBW Distinguished Woman of the Year Award in 2019.
Her Excellency Professor Modupe Adelabu represents a model of intellectual achievement fused with impactful public service. Her career illustrates the important role scholars can play in shaping educational systems and public institutions. Through decades of teaching, research, administration, and governance, she has contributed meaningfully to the advancement of education and leadership in Nigeria.
Happy birthday to you dear Mummy.May your strength be renewed like an eagle in Jesus name.
Kare Ooo,Kofeso Modupe Adelabu,
Omo Ewi Otu, Olori Ajero Oyiyosaye Ekiti
Igba Odun,Odun kan ni Ooo.
- Femi Alufa is the Publisher CEO of Ekiti Summit News Media Group.