Eniola Olaitan Ajayi (born 18 January 1965) is a Nigerian politician and diplomat currently serving as Nigerian ambassador to the Kingdom of Netherlands and the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) since May 2021.[1][2] She previously served as Nigerian ambassador to Hungary with concurrent accreditation to Serbia, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina from October 2017 to April 2021. [3]
Ambassador Eniola Olaitan Ajayi | |
|---|---|
| Nigerian Ambassador to Netherlands | |
| Assumed office May 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Oji Ngofa |
| Nigerian Ambassador to Hungary | |
| In office June 2017 – April 2021 | |
| Succeeded by | Modupe Irele |
| Commissioner for Environment Ekiti State | |
| In office February 2013 – October 2015 | |
| Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology Ekiti State | |
| In office December 2010 – January 2013 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 18 January 1965 Ekiti State, Nigeria |
| Political party | All Progressive Congress (APC) |
| Education | B.Sc, M.Phil, O.D, FNOA |
| Alma mater | Christ's School, Ado Ekiti University of Benin University of London |
| Occupation | Diplomat |
| Profession | Consultant Optometrist |
| Website | eniolaajayi |
Background
editEniola Olaitan Ajayi was born on 18 January 1965 in Ipoti Ekiti.[4] She had her secondary education at Christ’s School, Ado – Ekiti.[5] She graduated as a Doctor of Optometry from the University of Benin. She proceeded to obtain a Master of Philosophy in Ocular Pathology from University of London with postgraduate research and training from Moorfields Eye Hospital and St Thomas’ Hospital in London. She was the best graduating student in her Special Doctor of Optometry class. Upon Graduation in 1986, she worked with the Eye Department of 445 Nigerian Air force Hospital in Lagos under the Ministry of Defence before starting a private practice in 1997. The practice, Enny Eye Care (Eye Clinic and Optical Services) now has two outlets in Lagos-Nigeria, Ikeja and Ikoyi. [6]
Political career
editAjayi served her first term as Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology in Ekiti state of Nigeria where she implemented landmark reforms in the education sector.[7] She was later re-appointed as the Commissioner for Environment between February 2013 and October 2014. She was the first woman to win her party's ticket through a free and fair primary election that involved four (4) other men to contest for the House of Representative seat in Ekiti Central Federal Constituency 1 comprising Ado Local Government and Irepodun/Ifelodun local government in year 2015.[citation needed]
Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology
editAs commissioner for education in Ekiti from December 2010 till January 2013, H.E. Dr Eniola Olaitan Ajayi worked with the team of Governor Kayode Fayemi to actualize his 8-point agenda. She superintended the merger of the three universities at the time to the new and virile Ekiti State University.[8][9] It was also under her leadership that the law establishing the College of Education, Ikere Ekiti was re-enacted.[10][11]
Commissioner for Environment
editAjayi also served as commissioner for Environment from February 2013 till October 2015. Under this role, she spearheaded the efforts to reduce illegal felling of trees, achieve forest regeneration and improved internally generated revenue through Forestry activities. She also commenced the establishment of Forestry Commission for proper administration of the Forest through inclusive engagement of all the Forestry Stakeholders in Ekiti State.[12]
Diplomatic career
editAjayi began her diplomatic career following her appointment and subsequent assignment to Hungary as Nigerian ambassador.[13] She served as Nigerian ambassador to Hungary with concurrent accreditation to Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, until her reassignment to the Kingdom of Netherlands. [14][15][16] She served as the Chairperson for the Ninety-Ninth Session of the Executive Council (EC-99) of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), and is the current Chairperson of the Governing Council of the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC).[citation needed]
References
edit- ^ "Home". Embassy of Nigeria in Netherland. Nigeria. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
- ^ "President assigns portfolios to new ambassadors". TheGuardian. TheGuardian. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ "Home". Embassy of Nigeria in Budapest. Nigeria. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
- ^ "World Science Forum Participants". World Science Forum. World Science Forum. Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
- ^ "Featured Story". Ekiti state Government Forum. Ekiti State Government. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
- ^ "Happy Birthday Ambassador Designate". Ekiti Link Facebook Page Forum. Ekiti Link Forum. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
- ^ "Ekiti State Commissioner for education, science and technology". Daily Trust. Daily Trust. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
- ^ "Transformation of Ekiti State University". the nation. the nation. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
- ^ "University of Ado Ekiti Merged". ECE Connection. ECE Connection. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ "A LAW TO REVIVE AND RESTORE THE LAW ESTABLISHING THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, IKERE EKITI AND OTHER MATTERS CONNECTED THEREWITH". Ekiti. Ekiti. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ "e-School programme aimed at technological competence". Ekiti. Ekiti. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ "Clean Environment a Must". Ekiti. Ekiti. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ "Envoy Nominees". Vanguard News. Ekiti. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ "President Buhari Approves Appointment of 12 more Ambassadors". DailyPost. DailyPost. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ "President Buhari Assigns new Portfolio to new Ambassadors". Guardian. Guardian. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ "Eniola Ajayi and Modupe Irele Soar High". The Punch. The Punch. Retrieved 21 January 2021.