Funmilayo Olayinka
Olufunmilayo Adunni Olayinka | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 20, 1960 Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria |
| Died | April 6, 2013 (aged 52) |
| Occupation(s) | Banker, politician |
| Years active | 1986–2013 |
| Known for | Deputy Governor of Ekiti State (2010–2013) |
Olufunmilayo Adunni Olayinka (; 20 June 1960 – 6 April 2013) was a distinguished Nigerian banker and political figure who held the office of Deputy Governor of Ekiti State from 2010 until her passing in 2013.
Early life and education
Born in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Olayinka completed her early education at Holy Trinity Grammar School, Ibadan, where she graduated with honors on her first school leaving certificate. She proceeded to Olivet Baptist High School in Oyo State, obtaining her Higher School Certificate. She pursued higher education in the United States, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in marketing in 1981 and a master's degree in public administration in 1983, both from Central State University, Wilberforce, Ohio. During her studies, she achieved recognition on the Dean's Honour Roll three times.
Career
Beginning her professional journey as a marketing analyst and strategist, Olayinka entered the banking sector in 1986 with First Bank of Nigeria Plc. Her career advanced through positions including relationship manager for corporate clients at institutions such as Access Bank, the former Merchant Banking Corporation (MBC), and United Bank for Africa Plc.
In August 2002, she shifted focus to corporate communications, ultimately leading the Corporate Affairs Division at United Bank for Africa. In this capacity, she directed brand management initiatives and corporate affairs activities, spearheading the bank’s rebranding campaign that significantly improved its strategic positioning and brand equity.
Between 2002 and 2004, Olayinka held the post of second vice president for the Association of Corporate Managers of Banks. She played an instrumental role in the merger process between United Bank for Africa and Standard Trust Bank by co-chairing the Branding Sub-Committee and contributing substantially to media relations efforts.
Prior to her political tenure as deputy governor of Ekiti State, she served as head of corporate services at Ecobank Transatlantic Inc., where she managed public relations, client engagement, and administrative operations.
Election
After the controversial 2007 gubernatorial election that initially declared ruling PDP candidate Segun Oni the winner, Olayinka alongside Kayode Fayemi legally contested the outcome. Following a protracted judicial process lasting over three years, an Elections Appeal Tribunal in Ilorin, Kwara State, nullified Oni’s victory and affirmed Fayemi of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) as governor on 14 October 2010.
Subsequently, Olayinka was inaugurated as deputy governor of Ekiti State by virtue of her position as Fayemi’s running mate during the 2007 election cycle. She was only the second woman to be appointed to this office in the state’s history and was affiliated with the ACN.
Death
Olayinka died on 6 April 2013 after a lengthy struggle with cancer. Her burial took place in Ado-Ekiti. A committed Christian, she is survived by her mother, spouse, and three children.