Prof. O.O. Olayemi

Olayemi O. Olayemi is a distinguished academic, business coach, and mentor with over twenty-three years of cumulative experience in research, teaching, and consulting across both private and public sector organizations. He currently holds the prestigious Mike Adenuga (Jnr.) Endowed Professorial Chair in Entrepreneurial Studies at the University of Lagos, a position he assumed in May 2025. Through this role, he continues to champion the integration of theoretical knowledge with practical, real-world business applications.

Dr. Olayemi’s academic and professional work is rooted in entrepreneurial creativity and innovation, strategic and change management, and the dynamics of family-owned businesses, with particular emphasis on succession planning. He has also developed a specialized interest in youth and women empowerment, especially within the agro-allied sector, recognizing its critical role in sustainable economic development.

Beyond the classroom, Dr. Olayemi is widely regarded as a result-oriented professional driven by the desire to create tangible impact within his environment. His work consistently reflects a passion for community-focused initiatives and a commitment to adding meaningful value to society.

In addition to his research and teaching responsibilities, Dr. Olayemi plays an active role in academic leadership and administration. Since August 2024, he has served as Coordinator of the Master of Business Administration (MBA) Programme at the University of Lagos. Prior to this role, he coordinated the Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration (PGD) programme between 2021 and 2023. His contributions to university governance include serving as a Member of the Senate of the University of Lagos (2022–2024) and a Board Member of the School of Postgraduate Studies (2019–2021).

Dr. Olayemi’s scholarship has received international recognition. He was awarded an International Travel Grant by the International Council for Small Business (ICSB) to present his research at the 56th ICSB World Conference in Stockholm, Sweden.

A prolific contributor to scholarly discourse, he has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters in reputable local and international journals. His research explores critical issues such as entrepreneurial intention among female undergraduates, sustainability of family-owned businesses, succession planning, and managerial competencies influencing SME performance.

Selected Publications

• Adeeyo, D. A., Olayemi, O. O., & Okonji, P. S. (2025). Role modelling, fear of failure, and entrepreneurial intentions: A study of female undergraduates in Lagos State, Nigeria. Abuja Journal of Business and Management (AJBAM), 3(1), 103–115.
  
  
• Olayemi, O. O., & Gbadamosi, T. O. (2024). Heir apparent preparedness and selected family business sustainability in Lagos State, Nigeria. FACTA Series: Economics and Organisation, 21(1), 1–14.
  
  
• Ononye, U. H., Olayemi, O. O., & Abiegbe, A. (2024). Work condition factors and employees’ engagement: The mediating role of psychological capital. Journal of Management and Entrepreneurship, 26(1), 1–12.
  
  
• Shomoye-Olusi, M. A., Olayemi, O. O., & Okonji, P. S. (2024). Managerial competencies and SME performance in Lagos State, Nigeria. FUOYE Journal of Finance and Contemporary Studies, 6(1), 82–96.
  
  
• Olayemi, O. O., Okonji, P. S., Olusi-Shomoye, A. M., & Adeeyo, D. (2023). Succession planning and gender conflict issues in Nigerian family business settings. African Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 2(1), 18–28.
  
  

Dr. Olayemi’s academic engagement extends beyond Nigeria through international collaborations. He previously served as a Visiting Research Scholar at the University of the West of Scotland in Paisley, Scotland from July to September 2012, an experience that broadened his global perspective on entrepreneurship research and practice.

He also remains actively engaged in the entrepreneurial ecosystem as Secretary of the Young Entrepreneurs of Nigeria (YEN), a position he has held since 2016. Through this platform, as well as his mentorship of numerous undergraduate and postgraduate students (M.Sc. and Ph.D.), Dr. Olayemi continues to nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs, scholars, and business leaders.