Dr. (Mrs.) Esther Layo Olaluwoye is a seasoned educationist. Diligent, disciplined, hardworking and meticulous, she has made tremendous impact in the teaching profession.

Born on the 20th day of March 1962, to the family of Mr and Mrs Samuel Fasaanu at Okeluse, Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, she started her primary education at St. Paul’s Anglican Primary School, Okeluse.

She proceeded to Okeluse Anglican Grammar School in 1975 and thereafter attended the School of Arts and Science, Ikare between 1981 and 1982. She started her teaching training at the College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti. She later attended the University of Lagos, obtaining her B.A. and M.A. degrees in English Language. She obtained her PhD from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye in 2015.

Layo worked with the Ondo State Teaching Service Commission, Akure, between 1981 and 1985. She taught English Language at some Universities’ Satellite campuses, including the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) at Ejigbo, Lagos; University of Ado-Ekiti (Idimu Centre) and University of Calabar (Ikeja Center), all between 1997 and 2000. As a Co-director of Bamak Tutors Educational Institute, Akowonjo, Lagos (an affiliate of Ondo State University, Akungba), she was the Director of Administration. She moved to Olabisi Onabanjo University as a full-time lecturer in 2001 and served meritoriously for twenty-three (23) years. She voluntarily retired as a Senior Lecturer in April 2024 to give personal attention to her private nursery/primary and secondary schools.

As a senior lecturer, she brilliantly taught several courses that endeared her to her students. She occupied many administrative positions in the university, attended and presented several papers at seminars and conferences and published over twenty articles and papers in local and international peer-reviewed journals and books. She was the secretary to the Departmental board and the Departmental Examination Officer. She was also a member of the Departmental Review Committee of B. A Degree Program, as well as Departmental Staff Seminar Coordinator. On the Faculty of Arts Board, she was the Cognate Representative in the Faculty of Law and a member of the Landscaping Committee. Layo was also a member of the university disciplinary committee.  As an academic, she contributed to knowledge by teaching and exploring various aspects of language learning, language use and usage, and language attitudes (especially concerning the role and use of the English language in Nigeria. She is a Sociolinguist by speciality.

Dr. Olaluwoye’s passion for education informed her establishment of Highklass Schools, a co-educational conglomerate in three locations in Ogun State, including the State capital. She is the CEO and the Proprietress of Highklass Schools Ltd. The 19-year-old educational establishment has produced enviable professionals like medical practitioners, astute legal luminaries, and prominent people in different fields. She is constantly in touch with many of them, monitoring their career growth.

She is a member of the European Center for Research Training and Development, UK; a member of the National Association of Teachers and Researchers of English as a Second Language; a member of the Board of Governors of Heritage Secondary School (of GOFAMINT) and National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS). She is a matron to Man-O-War and a resource person in several student workshops both within and outside the university.

 Esther Layo Olaluwoye is a devoted Christian who is happily married to Pastor Jide Olaluwoye, Chief Executive Officer and Pharmacist of Jila Pharmacy (Nig.) Limited. They are blessed with grown-up, God-fearing children. She is a preacher, a teacher of the Word of God, and a counsellor in Christian faith, especially on marriages.

It was in recognition of his immense contribution to nation building in the area of Development, Management and Delivery of Quality Education in Nigeria that Dr. (Mrs.) Esther Layo Olaluwoye was deemed worthy to be conferred with the Woman of Merit Gold Award.