Prof. Olu Akinkugbe is a distinguished economist, academic leader, and global policy advisor with over 40 years of teaching, research, and consulting experience across Africa, Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia. He earned his PhD in Applied Econometrics from the University of Ibadan in 1988, where his doctoral thesis focused on a 197-equation macro-model of the Nigerian economy under the Ford Foundation-sponsored LINK Project.

His academic career spans numerous institutions globally, including the University of Ibadan, University of Zambia, University of Swaziland (Eswatini), University of Botswana, Rhodes University, University of the Witwatersrand, University of Namibia, Acadia University, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Saint Mary’s University, Mount Saint Vincent University, Washington College (USA), and De Montfort University (UK and Cambodia).

He has held several leadership positions, such as Dean of the largest faculty at the University of Namibia (overseeing 25,000 students), Head of Economics at the University of the Witwatersrand, and Founding Dean of the James Hope Business School in Nigeria. His leadership is rooted in academic restructuring, sustainable governance, and mentorship.

Currently, he serves as Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic at the University of Kigali. His three-year vision focuses on sustainable governance, financial resilience, inclusive growth, and strengthening global partnerships.