In a country where mental health remains a growing yet under-addressed crisis, Oluronke Ajayi has emerged as a transformative figure, leading innovative psychological responses across Nigeria through her clinical expertise, policy advocacy, and community-based interventions.
As a Clinical and Abnormal Psychologist, Ajayi has carved out a unique professional space dedicated to addressing the psychosocial needs of individuals and organizations. With more than a decade of experience, her work focuses on areas such as mental health intervention, psychosocial risk mitigation, and employee wellness. Her efforts have positioned her as a national resource and an international contributor in the field of psychology.
Ajayi’s leadership was most prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she served as a lead psychosocial responder for Lagos State, delivering emergency mental health support to healthcare workers, patients, families, and other affected groups. Her crisis response work was integral to integrating mental health into the broader public health framework during a period of national vulnerability.
Beyond clinical work, Ajayi has played a key role in shaping mental health policy and practice. She is a member of the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP) and the Employee Assistance Professionals Association (EAPA) at both global and Nigeria chapter levels memberships that are not open to the public but extended based on recognized professional excellence and significant contributions to behavioral health systems.
As a certified member of these associations, Ajayi has contributed to professional development initiatives, capacity-building workshops, and technical strategy sessions focused on evidence- based mental health support. Her impact spans public and private sectors, including designing Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) for corporate organizations and facilitating trauma response systems within high-stress work environments.
Ajayi is also a published author and public commentator on mental health. One of her widely read articles, Nigeria Needs Deliberate Mental Health Policies to Combat Mental Disorders, called for legislative attention to mental health funding, stigma reduction, and infrastructure development. The article received broad attention and solidified her role as a public thought leader in the mental health space.
She has also served as a school counselor, workshop facilitator, and speaker on numerous platforms addressing youth mental health, addiction prevention, and gender-based psychological trauma. Her training sessions with school administrators and healthcare personnel have equipped hundreds of professionals with tools to identify and respond to early signs of mental illness.
Today, Oluronke Ajayi continues to be recognized for her pioneering work in mental health delivery, and her story exemplifies what it means to combine clinical insight with civic responsibility. Her national and international acclaim reflect a career defined not just by qualifications, but by measurable impact and unwavering commitment to psychological well- being.
As Nigeria and other developing nations work toward building resilient mental health systems, professionals like Ajayi are lighting the path with compassion, data-driven practices, and visionary leadership.
