To consolidate his robust intellectual status, Prof. Olayinka Kolawole went outside the shores of the country to acquire a World Class Professional Certification in Global Leadership at the world’s most prestigious University, Harvard Business School, Harvard University, United States of America (USA), in 2014.

Prof. Kolawole is an alumnus of University of Oxford, Said Business School, Oxford, United Kingdom (UK), where he obtained another Word Class Certificate in Oxford Finance Programme for Senior Executives(FSE), in 2015.

In his unusual quest for academic distinction and unquenchable thirst for professional excellence, Prof. Kolawole was admitted as a student to Judge Business School, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, where he bagged the noble Cambridge International Certification in Advanced Leadership Program (ALP), in 2022.

He also attended the London School of Economics (LSE), London, United Kingdom, where he was certified as a Global Macroeconomist, having acquired the LSE International Certification in Global Macroeconomic Challenges (GEC), in 2022.

Prof. Kolawole went back to London School of Economics (LSE) in 2024 where he undertook a course and obtained international certification in Climate Change: Economics and Governance (CCEG).

Prof. Kolawole is an alumnus of Stanford Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, United State of America, where he was exposed to the International best standards in Data Analytics, with a Certification in Stanford Data-Driven Decision Making (DDM).

Prof. Kolawole also enrolled at Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), United State of America, where he obtained a Global Certification in Essential IT for Non – IT Executives (EIN).

He also went to the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) for Certification in Mandatory Training Programme for Chief Executive Officers of Federal Government Parastatals/Agencies (MTP – CEO) in Badagry, Lagos State.

He attended the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Jos, Plateau State and had the Certification in Strategic Leadership, Ethics & Policy Making (SLEAPM).

Prof. Kolawole is also an alumnus of Lagos Business School (LBS), Lekki Express way, Ajah, Lagos State, where he obtained Certification in Financial Management Programme (FMP).

Prof. Isiaka Kolawole is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management, Chartered (FNIM), Fellow, Chartered Institute of Directors (F.IoD), Fellow of the Institute of Economists of Nigeria (FNIE), Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Administration (FCIA), Honorary Senior Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (HCIB), Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants (FIMC), Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria (FCAI), and a Full member of the Royal Economic Society (MRES), United Kingdom.

Prof. Kolawole started his Banking career with Wema Bank PLC in 1990 and left in 1993 as Assistant Manager having headed different units of the bank which included Treasury Operations, Savings Accounts, Loans & Advances and Current Account Operations.

In May 1999, the Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Alhaji Lamidi Onaolapo Adesina, appointed Prof. Kolawole as The State Liaison Officer (Director General) for The State Government at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. In this capacity, he was responsible for co-ordinating the activities of the State Government in FCT and liaised with the Presidency, National Assemblies, Federal Ministries & Parastatals, all Foreign Embassies in Nigeria and Northern State Governments. He left in May, 2003 having valuably and productively served for four years.

A versatile and highly resourceful personality, Prof. Kolawole was the pioneer Head of Department (HOD) of the Department of Economics and Actuarial Sciences of the Crescent University between 2005 and 2007. 

Prof. Kolawole was a member of the National Team that drafted and delivered the 30 Year-National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (2013 – 2043), where he served as a member of the Monitoring & Evaluation Technical Working Group and Member of The Business Support Group between January 2013 to August 2013. 

In February 2014, the Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Senator Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi, appointed Prof. Isiaka Kolawole as the Special Adviser to the Executive Governor on Budget and Economic Planning, and he served in this capacity for two consecutive terms, up till 2019, upon his reappointment in February 2016.

In his capacity as The Special Adviser to the Executive Governor on Budget and Economic Planning, he was the Chief Executive of The State Planning Commission and the Chairman of the State Pre- Treasury Board and Budget Implementation Committee where he coordinated the Budget presentations, Defense and Implementations of all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). 

He was responsible for seeking new ways to improve efficacy of budget performance through systemic expenditure control to close up fiscal gaps and inefficiencies, monitor the status of budget spending and budget activities by reviewing financial reports and examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy and conformance with procedures and regulations. 

As the Chief Economic Adviser to the State Government, Prof. Kolawole was an attendee of the meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC), the highest Economic decision-making body in Nigeria with Vice- President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as Chairman. 

Prof. Olayinka Kolawole was also a member of the State Executive Council (EXCO), the highest decision-making authority in the Government of Oyo State for six years.

 On the 13th May, 2020, Prof. Isiaka Olayinka Kolawole was appointed by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, as the Deputy Executive Secretary (Services) of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC). 

In this Capacity, Prof. Kolawole is responsible for the Coordination of Operational activities of UBEC across the South West, South South and North Central Geo Political Zones of the Country. He also provides superintendent functions on some Strategic Departments which include Administration and Supplies Department, Finance and Accounts Department, Audit Department, Planning Research and Statistics Department, Physical Planning Department, Social Mobilization Department and Planning Research & Statistics Department. 

In recognition of his sense of probity, forthrightness and astuteness, Prof. Olayinka Kolawole was appointed and currently serves as the Chairman, Efficiency Unit and Chairman, Budget Implementation, Monitoring and Work Plan Committee. In the pursuit of these crucial and strategic assignments, he has the responsibility to enthrone a plethora of procedures for efficient management of UBEC Funds, which includes: 2% of the Consolidated Revenue Funds (CRF).

He also sets the standards in the relationship and collaboration with International Development Partners and Foreign Technical Organizations, including World Bank, UNICEF, WHO, UKaid, UNIDO, UNESCO, UNDAF, Korean International Cooperation Agency, USAID, Japan International Cooperation Agency, Chinese Investors, Islamic Development Bank, Macarthur Foundation, ADB, CBN.

Prof. Kolawole also provides liaison between UBEC and National Assembly as he has responsibility to ensure and sustain harmonious relationship between the two institutions.

Prof. Olayinka Kolawole currently serves as a Professor of Economics at the Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, Federal University Lokoja (on Pro Bono).

His Professional core competencies include Policy Development, Climate Change, Leadership, Administration, Monetary Policy, Fiscal Governance, Public Private Partnership (PPP), Budget Management, Funds Management, International Finance, Foreign Direct Investment, Project Management, National Planning, Growth & Development, Petroleum & Energy Economics, Leadership, Administration, Strategic Management and Impact Assessment.

To underscore and consolidate his nobility and royalty in Ibadan, Prof. Isiaka Olayinka KOLAWOLE was installed by Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Senator) Dr. Mohood Olalekan Ishola Balogun (Alli Okunmade II), as the MOGAJI Ogba’aga of Ibadanland, on Monday, 22nd August, 2022.

Prof. Kolawole was inaugurated and sworn-in as Justice of the Peace (JP) in May 2000 by the then Executive Governor of Oyo State and was thus empowered to perform community jurisprudent responsibilities in recognition of his valuable contributions to the society and his community.

As a Party man and a thorough bread politician, Prof. Isiaka Olayinka Kolawole was appointed the Director General for Oyo State All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential and Governorship Campaign Council for the 2023 General Elections. In 2020, Prof. Kolawole was appointed as The Secretary General of Oyo State APC Elders Advisory Council and serves in that capacity till date.

He is happily married with children and his hobbies include reading, travelling, breaking new grounds, meeting people and table tennis playing.

Prof. Isiaka Olayinka KOLAWOLE is a detribalized Nigerian, and he is passionate about Nigerian project, having blazing and fervid desire for the oneness and unity of the country.