Mrs. Oluwateye Abike Olatunji is an accomplished educator, school owner, education consultant and child-development advocate with over 20 years of professional experience in education, school administration, business management and leadership.

She is the Founder and Proprietor of Youngold Montessori Schools, Lagos, an established educational institution committed to providing quality Montessori-inspired education and nurturing children to become confident, responsible and well-rounded individuals. Under her leadership, Youngold Montessori Schools has grown into a respected learning community serving children from Crèche, Nursery and Primary levels, with a strong emphasis on academic excellence, character formation, creativity, independence and holistic child development.

Mrs. Olatunji holds a first degree in Business Administration and Management, a Diploma in Montessori Education, a Postgraduate qualification in Early Childhood Education, and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Roehampton, United Kingdom. Her professional development also includes training in special needs education, early detection and intervention for children with additional needs in mainstream classrooms, and IBT Certification.

She is a Member of the Institute for Advancement of Child Care, further demonstrating her commitment to continuous professional development and the advancement of quality childcare and early childhood education. She is also affiliated with professional bodies including NAPPS, TRCN, APEN and WIMBIZ.

Her career extends beyond the classroom and school environment. Before establishing and developing Youngold Montessori Schools, Mrs. Olatunji served in educational leadership in an English-speaking school in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where she gained valuable international experience in school administration and academic management.

As an education consultant, she is passionate about helping school owners, educators and administrators build effective, sustainable and child-centred schools. Her areas of interest include school leadership and management, teacher development, staff management and retention, early childhood education, inclusive education, safeguarding, professional standards and educational entrepreneurship.

A strong advocate for inclusive education, Mrs. Olatunji believes that every child deserves the opportunity to learn, develop and thrive, regardless of individual learning needs or differences. Her experience working with children requiring additional support has strengthened her commitment to early identification, intervention and collaboration between schools, families and specialists.

Beyond education, she is a certified Marriage Counsellor and Minister of God, with a passion for strengthening families, supporting women and contributing to positive social development. She has also served in various leadership and community-focused capacities, combining her professional expertise with a deep commitment to service.

Her personal and professional philosophy is reflected in the values she promotes through her work: Integrity, Collaboration, Adaptability, Result-orientation and Excellence (ICARE).

Mrs. Olatunji’s life’s work reflects a commitment to raising children, developing educators, strengthening schools and contributing meaningfully to society. Through Youngold Montessori Schools, professional consultancy, community service and advocacy for children and families, she continues to make a positive contribution to the development of education and human capacity in Nigeria.

She is a woman committed to refining precious jewels, building people and leaving a lasting legacy through education. A 2025 recipient of the Woman of Merit Gold Awards (WMGA) , Mrs. Oluwateye Olatunji is married to Pastor Olutayo Olatunji and they are blessed with three adult children.

It is in Recognition of his Sterling Accomplishments in the Development, Management and Delivery of Quality Education in Nigeria that Mrs. Oluwateye Abike Olatunji is deemed worthy to be conferred with the Nigerian Achievement Award.