Professor (Mrs.) Eunice Olufunmilayo Osakinle, a distinguished scholar in adolescent and reproductive health counselling, celebrated her 70th birthday on Saturday, 18 October, coinciding with her retirement from active service at Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti. The occasion began with a thanksgiving service at her residence, 53 Oluwatedo Lane 1, opposite Ambassador School, Basiri, at 8:00 a.m., followed by a reception at Hassanat Event Centre, Old Iyin Road, Ado-Ekiti, at 11:00 a.m.
Born on 18 October 1955 in Odo-Ayedun Ekiti to the late Rt. Rev. Joseph Dada and Mrs Felicia Ige Aluko, Professor Osakinle’s academic journey reflects a blend of dedication and purpose. She attended Methodist Primary School, Zaria, and St. Louis College, Jos, before earning her NCE from Advanced Teachers’ College, Kano. She proceeded to obtain a B.Ed. in Language Arts from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1983, an M.Ed. in Guidance and Counselling from Ondo State University, Ado-Ekiti, in 1997, and a PhD in the same field from the University of Ado-Ekiti in 2004.
Joining Ekiti State University as a Lecturer II in 2005, Professor Osakinle rose through the ranks to become a full Professor in 2017. Over her two-decade tenure, she established herself as a committed teacher, mentor, and researcher, publishing over 90 works, including books, chapters, and journal articles. Her 2021 inaugural lecture, “Sexuality Education of the Girl-Child: Guidance for a Better Tomorrow”, is widely regarded as a significant contribution to educational and social discourse in Nigeria.
Professor Osakinle has supervised numerous postgraduate theses, including five doctoral and twelve master’s dissertations. She has also held important administrative positions, serving as Acting Head of the Department of Guidance and Counselling, Coordinator of the Sandwich Programme, and participating in key university committees.
Her professional achievements have been recognised by various bodies, including the Counselling Association of Nigeria (CASSON), the National Association of Women in Academics (NAWACS), and the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS). In 2012, she represented Nigeria at an international conference in Cambridge, United Kingdom, sponsored by the Commonwealth of Learning. She continues to contribute to international scholarship as a reviewer for journals such as The European Society of Contraception and Reproductive Healthcare.
Beyond her academic work, Professor Osakinle is noted for her commitment to faith and family. She is married to Elder Charles Bodunde Osakinle and is a mother and grandmother, instilling values of integrity, service, and dedication in her children and grandchildren.
As she marks both her 70th birthday and retirement, colleagues, students, and professional peers continue to pay tribute to her decades of service, mentorship, and impact on generations of educators and counsellors in Nigeria. Professor (Mrs.) Eunice Olufunmilayo Osakinle’s legacy is defined by scholarship, guidance, and a lifetime of commitment to education and humanity.
