Motunrayo Funke Olumakaiye, a native of Ondo town in Ondo State, boasts over five decades of experience. She is a Professor of Public Health Nutrition in the Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Nigeria. She had her B.Sc. degree from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in 1995, MSc. in Human Nutrition in 2000 and a PhD degree in Public Health Nutrition in the year 2007 from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. She also had a Post Graduate Diploma in International Food and Nutrition Security from Wageningen University and Research Center, the Netherlands in the year 2009.

Professor Funke joined the services of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife as an Assistant Lecturer in 2002 and by dints of hard work rose to the position of a Full Professor fourteen years after in 2016. Her research focus is in the area of nutrition and health of vulnerable groups i.e. schoolchildren, adolescents, and women of reproductive age.

Professor Motunrayo Funke Olumakaiye is driven by a deep passion for fostering intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and a love for lifelong learning. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in creating an inclusive and engaging learning environment that empowers students to reach their full potential both academically and personally.

1. Student-Centered Approach:  I believe in a student-centred approach that recognizes the unique backgrounds, experiences, and learning styles of each individual. By creating an inclusive classroom atmosphere, I aim to foster a sense of belonging where students feel encouraged to express their ideas, ask questions, and engage in meaningful discussions.
2. Active Learning Strategies:  I am committed to employing a variety of active learning strategies to enhance the learning experience. Through interactive discussions, case studies, group projects, and real-world applications, I aim to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills, preparing students for success in their future careers.
3. Incorporation of Technology:  In today`s rapidly evolving technological landscape, I believe in integrating relevant technologies into the learning process. By incorporating multimedia resources, online platforms, and collaborative tools, I strive to create a dynamic and interactive learning environment that reflects the real-world applications of the subject matter.
4. Promotion of Critical Thinking:  I view education not merely as the transmission of information but as a transformative process that cultivates critical thinking skills. My courses are designed to challenge students to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information, fostering a habit of mind that extends beyond the classroom and into their broader lives.
5. Mentorship and Individualized Guidance:  Recognizing the importance of mentorship, I am committed to providing individualized guidance to students. By fostering a supportive mentor-student relationship, I aim to help students navigate academic challenges, set goals, and develop the skills necessary for success in their academic and professional journeys.
6. Continuous Reflection and Improvement:  I believe in the importance of continuous reflection and improvement in teaching practices. I am dedicated to staying informed about pedagogical advancements, incorporating feedback from students, and adapting my teaching methods to create a dynamic and effective learning experience.

• Adolescent Nutrition: Urgent Needs, Key Benefits and The Way Forward
• Sustainable Diet in A Struggling Economy
• Food Security for Sustainable National Development
• You Are What You Eat
• Impact Of Covid-19 Pandemic on Children`s Development: Role of Parents
• Issues Pertaining to Total Family Health
• Food Safety: From Farm to Plate, Make Food Safe
• Issues On Sustainable Nutrition and Human Livelihood
• Maintaining a Healthy Diet on Low Income
• Writing A Grant Winning Research Proposal
• Personal Branding and Networking to Enhance Research Output

• AXD 218: Human Nutrition and Diet
• FNC306: Food Preparation and Management
• FNC307: Principles of Nutrition
• FNC413: Research Methodology
• FNC414: Research Methods in Consumer Sciences
• FNC423: Advanced Nutrition
• FNC408: Nutrition and Food Science
• PUH604: Community Nutrition
• PUH615: School Health Programme
• NSC 340: Nutrition in Health and Disease

Attention is also given to Nutritional Assessments, Nutrient Intakes, Product Development, Sensory Evaluation, and Randomized Control Trial studies. She has published over 50 articles in reputable Local and International Journals. One of her published articles titled “Food Consumption Pattern of Adolescents and the Effect on Body Weight” was adjudged number one for three consecutive years by the Biomedical Library, USA, in the top ten rating of all articles published in the domain of adolescent nutrition worldwide between 2013 and 2015. She is a regular speaker at both local and international conferences.

Professor Funke has won five (5) research grants from (1) Carnegie Corporation, New York, USA, (2) Imperial College, London, (3) Unilever R & D, Netherlands, (4) Australian AID, and (5) National Research Fund (TETFUND), Nigeria. She has also won four (4) fellowships for career development and twelve (15) travel grants to conferences around the world. She is a Fellow of (1) African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (2011-2013) - a Bill and Melinda Gates sponsored award; (2) African Nutrition Leadership Programme (2008) sponsored by the Netherlands Government; (3) University Administration Support Programme (2020) sponsored by IREX, Washington DC, USA.
She was a visiting scholar at Wake Forest University, Wilson Salem, North Carolina, USA in 2021 where she developed expertise in Grantsmanship, Research Integrity and Responsible Conduct of Research. She led a team of three to revise the Research Misconduct Policy of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. She is the Chairperson of the Grantsmanship sub-committee for Early Career Researchers in OAU.

Professor Funke is a member of the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing WorldAfrican Nutrition Leadership (ANLP)African Nutrition SocietyAmerican Society for NutritionNutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN)The Nutrition Society (UK). She consults for organizations on nutrition-related matters. She has consulted for (1) Imperial College London- Partnership for Child Development on Home Grown School Feeding Programme, (2) UNICEF on Maternal & Child Nutrition, (3) Unilever Netherlands on Food Products Development, and (4) Osun State Government on Home Grown School Feeding Programme.

Recently, Professor Funke Olumakaiye won a grant from TETFUND to develop a nutrition mobile app to improve the dietary behaviour of female adolescents in Nigeria. The project is being implemented in six states of three regions of the country.

She is a born-again and committed child of God. She was recently appointed as the National Trainer for Women in the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion. She was married to the late Most Rev Dr. Humphrey Bamisebi Olumakaiye (PhD), the former Bishop of Lagos Diocese (Anglican Communion) and Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos who passed away in October 2022. The marriage is blessed with a God-fearing Son.