Dr. Olumide Ayoola Olaoye

Email address: oaolaoye@oauife.edu.ng,  mideolaoye@gmail.com ;

Phone: +2348030763794

Dr. Olumide Ayoola Olaoye is a Senior Lecturer and Occupational Therapist in the Department of Medical Rehabilitation at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife. A committed academic and clinician, he holds a Ph.D. in Occupational Therapy and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of the Western Cape, South Africa. He began his professional journey at OAU, where he obtained his Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation in Occupational Therapy. To further bridge his clinical expertise with pedagogical best practices, Dr. Olaoye completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) at Obafemi Awolowo University in 2022. Dr. Olaoye’s primary research focuses on neuro-rehabilitation and vocational reintegration. He is the principal developer of the Stroke Return to Work Intervention Programme (SReTWIP), a context-specific model designed to facilitate economic independence for stroke survivors in Nigeria. His broader scholarly work encompasses community-based rehabilitation, disability advocacy, and the development of competency-based frameworks for Occupational Therapy education in West Africa.

Research Area

Dr. Olaoye’s research area is driven by a commitment to enhancing the quality of life for individuals with neurological disabilities through context-specific, evidence-based interventions. At the core of his scholarship is the intersection of neuro-rehabilitation and vocational recovery. Dr. Olaoye has significantly contributed to the understanding of post-stroke survivorship in Nigeria, specifically addressing the complex challenges of returning to work in low-resource settings. His work on the Stroke Return to Work Intervention Programme (SReTWIP) highlights his focus on developing practical, culturally relevant frameworks that facilitate sustainable community reintegration and economic independence for stroke survivors.

Beyond clinical research, Dr. Olaoye is deeply invested in the pedagogical advancement of the Occupational Therapy profession. He actively researches and develops competency-based educational frameworks to ensure that the next generation of OT in West Africa are equipped with both the theoretical knowledge and the practical skills required for diverse clinical landscapes. His work includes assessing professional awareness and refining curriculum standards to meet global best practices while remaining locally responsive. Dr. Olaoye’s broader research interests encompass community-based rehabilitation and health promotion. He investigates the societal and environmental barriers to participation for adults and children with disabilities, advocating for inclusive practices that address issues from sexual rehabilitation to family-centered care. Through his teaching and research, he aims to bridge the gap between clinical rehabilitation and societal inclusion, influencing policy and practice to build stronger health systems in Africa. He has attended and presented research papers in many conferences both local, national and internationals. Orcid:https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3887-7823