Prof. Adetunji Olaopa, popularly known as Tunji Olaopa, is a Nigerian political scientist, public administrator, and author. Born on December 20, 1959, in Aáwé, Oyo State, he has made significant contributions to public policy, governance, and education in Nigeria.
Early Life.
Tunji Olaopa was born into the family of Festus Adeyemo Olaopa and Beatrice Okebola Olaopa. Growing up in a lower-middle-class household, he developed a passion for understanding governance and societal systems.
Education.
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Political Science: University of Ibadan, 1984.
- Master’s Degree (MSc): University of Ibadan, 1987.
- Doctorate in Public Administration (PhD): Commonwealth Open University, United Kingdom, 2006.
Career.
Tunji Olaopa’s career spans various roles within the Nigerian civil service:
- Chief Research Officer, Policy Analyst, and Speech Writer at the State House, Abuja.
- Assistant Director/Secretary of the White Paper Panel for Nigeria’s 1995 Ayida Public Service Reform.
- Coordinator, Education Sector Analysis, and Head of Policy Division, Federal Ministry of Education.
- Director of Programmes, Bureau of Public Service Reforms.
- Special Assistant on Reforms to the Head of Service of Nigeria on Public Service Reforms.
- Founder of the Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy (ISGPP) after retiring from civil service.
Awards and Recognitions.
- National Productivity Award (2015): Acknowledgment for his contributions to productivity enhancement.
- Thabo Mbeki Award for Public Service and Scholarship (2018): Honored at an Africa conference at the University of Texas at Austin.
Latest News.
Prof. Tunji Olaopa was recently appointed as the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
FAQs about Prof. Tunji Olaopa.
What is Prof. Tunji Olaopa’s birthdate?
Prof. Tunji Olaopa was born on December 20, 1959.
Where did he receive his education?
He obtained his bachelor’s degree from the University of Ibadan and his PhD from the Commonwealth Open University in the United Kingdom.
What significant roles did he play in the Nigerian civil service?
Prof. Olaopa held positions such as Chief Research Officer, Director of Programmes, and Special Assistant on Reforms.
What led him to establish the Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy?
After retiring from civil service, he founded ISGPP to promote good governance and policy excellence.
What awards has he received?
He received the National Productivity Award in 2015 and the Thabo Mbeki Award for Public Service and Scholarship in 2018.
