H.E. Dr Eniola Olaitan Ajayi was born on the 18th of January, 1965 to the family of Late Pa Oluwatoyin Owolabi Ajayi of Iyin Ekiti and Chief Mrs Elizabeth Anike Ajayi of Ipoti Ekiti. Her early life began at St. George’s Anglican Primary School, Ijero Ekiti before proceeding to Emmanuel Anglican Primary School, Ado Ekiti. She attended Christ’s School, Ado Ekiti, graduated as a Doctor of Optometry from University of Benin. She proceeded to obtain a Master of Philosophy in Ocular Pathology from University of London with postgraduate research and training from Moorfields Eye Hospital and St Thomas’ Hospital in London. She was the best graduating student in her Special Doctor of Optometry class. Upon Graduation in 1986, she worked with the Eye Department of 445 Nigerian Air force Hospital in Lagos under the Ministry of Defence before starting a  private practice in 1997. The practice, Enny Eye Care (Eye Clinic and Optical Services) now has two outlets in Lagos-Nigeria, Ikeja and Ikoyi. 

Dr. Ajayi was the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology in Ekiti State from December 2010  to January 2013. She was later re-appointed as the Commissioner for Environment between February 2013  and October 2014. She was the first woman to win her party’s ticket through a free and fair primary election that involved four (4) other men to contest for the House of REPRESENTATIVE seat in Ekiti Central  Federal Constituency 1 comprising Ado Local Government and Irepodun/Ifelodun local government in the year  2015.  

Dr. Ajayi is a well-travelled and seasoned professional, politician and diplomat, who has won many awards.  She was the Chairperson of the Nigerian Optometric Association, Lagos Branch until the year 2012. She won the Elegance Magazine Best Commissioner of the year award for the year 2012. Her latest awards are;  Distinguished Ambassador of the year Award by Afe Babalola Beneficiaries Worldwide 2019; Best  Ambassador Award from the African Forum 2021; and UNIBEN Hero (2021) from the University of Benin. 

Dr. Ajayi is a motivator and a Minister of God in her local assembly – Daystar Christian centre; catering to the well-being of Couples believing God for children and those who are already pregnant. 

Dr. Ajayi served as the Ambassador of The Federal Republic of Nigeria to Hungary, with concurrent accreditation to Croatia, Serbia, and Bosnia & Herzegovina from October 2017 to April 2021. She is currently the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Permanent  Representative of Nigeria to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) since May  2021. 

Ambassador Ajayi’s mission in international diplomacy rests on four I’s – 

∙ IMAGE building for Nigeria 

∙ INCLUSION for Nigerian Citizens and the host Country; 

∙ INVESTMENT drives to Nigeria; 

∙ INNOVATION in service delivery. 

Dr Ajayi’s goal is to advance a Citizens Charter, where the interest and the rights of the weakest in our links  are protected. Where the life of every Nigerian – able or vulnerable, young or old, male or female, Muslim or  Christian, from the North, East, West and South – would count. She believes the right of every Nigerian  must be preserved. She believes a greater Nigeria is possible. 

Dr Eniola AJAYI is married to Dr Adegboyega Oke and she is a mother to many children.