The Institute of Chartered Economists of Nigeria (ICEN) will today elevate Mr. Olakunle Ajayi, along with a select group of senior economists, to the rank of Fellow (FCE) at the National Merit Award House in Abuja.
The honour represents the highest membership grade within the institute and acknowledges Mr Ajayi’s decade-long dedication as an Associate member, his commitment to continuous professional development, and his contributions to the field of health economics, particularly in public health.
Mr. Ajayi was first inducted into ICEN in 2010 as an Associate Chartered Economist (ACE). Over the past decade, he has demonstrated quality leadership in health economics and disease surveillance. His admission into the Fellowship reflects his fulfilment of all the requirements set by the council and their recognition of his contributions to the institute and the broader field of economics in Nigeria and globally.
Mr. Ajayi’s professional background is both extensive and diverse. He holds several graduate degrees, including a Master of Public Policy/Public Affairs & Politics from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA, and a Master of Health Economics from Bayero University in Kano, Nigeria. His expertise has been instrumental in managing grants aimed at advancing healthcare intelligence and disease surveillance in Nigeria and beyond.
His work with organisations such as eHealth Africa and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation underscores his role in enhancing health outcomes in targeted populations. As a Health Economist, Mr. Ajayi has been utilising his adeptness in executing economic evaluations of healthcare programs and managing significant healthcare delivery grants.
Reflecting on his career, Mr Ajayi stated, “I have paid my dues to get to this height in my professional career through hard work, continuous personal improvement, and a renewed passion to use econometric methodologies to make a difference in the public health space.
“I remain grateful to professional leaders who have supported me all the way, and I remain committed to supporting upcoming health economist enthusiasts in the public health arena.”
