Dr. Elizabeth Aanuoluwapo Ajayi is a Lecturer and Researcher in Adult Education at Adekunle Ajasin University, Nigeria, and currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Social Work and Criminology at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. She holds a Ph.D. in Women’s Education, an M.Ed. in Community Development and Social Work, and a B.A. (Ed) in Adult Education. As a specialist with over 15 years’ experience as a teacher, researcher, lecturer, social worker and serial entrepreneur, her passion revolves around transformative learning, social and educational gerontology, and faith-based feminism.

Her research focuses on empowering vulnerable groups, particularly women and older persons, through transformative learning, social gerontology, adult education, and participatory action research. She has authored journal articles, book chapters, and presented at national and international conferences. She is also a reviewer for journals related to older persons, education and women’s reproductive health

Beyond academia, Dr. Ajayi has worked with NGOs such as LYNX-Nigeria, Terres des Hommes, SEEFAR, and partnered with others such as School-in-the-Street to support children, youths, and women. She also promotes inclusive learning by using American Sign Language. She serves as the Assistant National Editor of the Nigerian National Council for Adult Education, an Executive Council Member for Global Association for Transformative Education, a board member and the Director of Learning at School-in-the-Street. She is alsothe Lead Legacy Director at the Lifeline to Sustainable Social Legacy Foundation. Through her initiatives and social media campaigns (#AgeingTales, #BeforePensUp  #StrengtheningForTomorrow, #DrEAA_RethinksAgeing), she bridges research, advocacy, and mentorship to advance lifelong learning and social justice. Outside of work, Dr Ajayi enjoys pursuits that enrich both her personal life and professional mission, such as reading inspirational literature and novels, singing, creative writing, mentoring young people, travelling, fashion designing and engaging in community service projects. She also promotes inclusive learning through sign language. She is the author of Every Season Has Meaning, a practical guide that helps older adults, families, and caregivers navigate ageing with dignity and purpose.  She is currently developing pre-retirement and life transition programmes that support professionals in preparing holistically for life after formal employment, with a focus on purpose, health, financial awareness, and lifelong learning.

Research Focus

Dr. Ajayi’s research is firmly situated at the intersection of adult education, social work, gerontology, and women’s empowerment, with a strong emphasis on the transformative potential of education for vulnerable populations. Her early works examine the socio-economic challenges of elderly persons in urban Nigeria and how modernization reshapes their livelihoods. Building on this, she has consistently explored how adult learning and lifelong education can enhance the well-being, resilience, and social inclusion of older adults, particularly women. A central strand of her scholarship engages with transformative learning approaches. She has investigated the impact on older women’s social well-being, functional literacy, and resilience, contributing to the emerging field of educational gerontology. Her more recent work expands this focus to include peacebuilding, conflict management, and resilience education for older adults, advocating for frameworks that support healthy and active ageing in Africa.

Dr Ajayi’s comparative and international collaborations extend this focus beyond Nigeria, including studies on employability through adult learning (Nigeria and India), a recently completed project on caregiving across Nigeria, Malawi, and Ghana, and ongoing projects examining resilience and quality of life among older adults in Nigeria and South Africa. 

Awards

• DAAD Sommerschulen Scholarship to participate in International  Winter school on Comparative Studies in Adult and Lifelong  Learning at Julius-Maximilians- Universität Würzburg, Germany (2017).  

Recent Publications

• Ajayi, E.A., Kazeem L.K., & M.O. Oyitso (2025). Transformative learning approach for  educational gerontology: Creating an appropriate teaching-learning framework for older adults. Research on Ageing and Social Policy 13(2), 109-127. https://hipatiapress.com/hpjournals/index.php/rasp/article/view/15567 
• Ajayi, E. A., & Akerele, M. O. (2023). Older adults and functional literacy needs for successful  ageing. Ife Journal of Theory and Research in Education 24, 403-414. https://ijotre.oauife.edu.ng/index.php/ijotre/article/view/110   
• Ajayi, E. A. (2023). Mobile learning for family life education as a mechanism for national development: Perspectives from Ondo state women. Journal of Continuing Education and Development 3(1), 185–200. https://journalcde.com/index.php/jcde/article/view/70 
•  Akinyemi, E. O., & Ajayi, E.A. (2022). Changing roles of social work educators in school for students with special needs in Osun State, Nigeria. Journal of Advances in Education and Philosophy Scholars 6(5), 281-287. https://saudijournals.com/media/articles/JAEP_65_281-287.pdf 
• Ajayi, E. A., & Tolo, D. (2021). Media literacy and continuing education in the new norm: Perceptions of adult learners. International Journal of Adult and Development Education, 1(1) 190-207.
•  Ajayi, E. A. (2020). Broadcast media and exercise of electioneering franchise by the elderly: The role of adult learning and education. Nigerian Journal of Adult and Lifelong Learning 4(1), 121-134.  
• Ajayi, E. A., & Ajayi, J. O. (2020). Financial literacy and socio-economic life of older working age in Nigeria. Educational Thoughts 9 (1), 152-163. 

Availability

Dr Ajayi is available to serve as: External examiner, Guest Speaker, Keynote Speaker, Visiting Scholar, and research collaborator. She is particularly open to interdisciplinary and international collaborations in the areas of adult education, ageing, social gerontology, women’s empowerment, and community development. She also provides support for grant writing, proposal development, and programme design for NGOs, academic institutions, and development organisations working with vulnerable populations.