Odunayo Oyasiji Elected Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants of Nigeria

By Salami Adeyinka

In an era defined by cross-border commerce, digital transformation, and data-driven governance, leadership that bridges law, management, and technology has never been more essential. The recent election of Odunayo Oyasiji as a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants of Nigeria (IMC Nigeria) stands as a landmark recognition of a professional whose career has redefined what it means to lead in a globalized, technology-centered world.

For Odunayo, a distinguished technology and privacy attorney licensed to practice in Alberta, Ontario, and Nigeria, the Fellowship represents more than a professional honor. It is a validation of a career built on strategic foresight, ethical leadership, and measurable impact across multiple jurisdictions. The recognition situates him among an elite network of professionals whose work has advanced management thought, organizational performance, and public policy in meaningful ways.

The Fellowship of the Institute of Management Consultants is one of Nigeria’s most respected professional designations, reserved for individuals who have demonstrated exceptional skill, leadership, and contribution to their fields. Odunayo’s election underscores his rare combination of legal, managerial, and strategic expertise — an integration that has defined his work across both public and private sectors.

Currently serving as Senior Privacy Advisor at the Ministry of Technology and Innovation, Government of Alberta, his role requires balancing innovation with compliance, ensuring that technology initiatives align with privacy standards while enabling progress within the digital economy.

His influence extends into the private sector through his work as a Legal Counsel , where he provides advisory services on technology and intellectual property. In both roles, he has demonstrated how a deep understanding of law, technology, and business can be harnessed to deliver value-driven outcomes for institutions and clients alike.

The IMC Fellowship is more than a ceremonial distinction; it is an acknowledgment of individuals who exemplify the highest standards of professionalism and thought leadership in management. Odunayo’s recognition by the Institute reflects his ability to merge management principles with regulatory and legal precision a combination increasingly vital in a world where compliance, ethics, and innovation intersect.

Over the years, he has successfully advised on multi-million-dollar cloud services agreements and technology transactions involving some of the world’s leading service providers. These engagements required not only technical legal expertise but also an understanding of organizational strategy, project management, and stakeholder governance competencies that are hallmarks of effective management consulting.

By earning the Fellowship, Odunayo joins a distinguished network of professionals committed to advancing excellence in organizational performance and leadership practice. His election reinforces his role as a thought leader capable of contributing to Nigeria’s ongoing dialogue on governance, innovation, and international collaboration.

What distinguishes Odunayo’s professional journey is his multi-jurisdictional practice. Licensed to practice law in three major jurisdictions across two continents, he possesses a rare ability to navigate the intersection of diverse legal and regulatory systems. This capacity to translate global frameworks into practical business strategies has made him an invaluable asset to both government and private enterprises.

Through his work, he has helped shape privacy and data protection standards that reflect international best practices while remaining adaptable to local contexts. His cross-continental insight aligns with the IMC’s mission to promote management excellence that transcends borders a mission increasingly critical in today’s digital and interdependent world.

Odunayo’s professional versatility exemplifies the kind of integrated leadership needed to manage complex global systems. His legal expertise informs his strategic thinking, while his management acumen enhances his ability to operationalize policy and governance in real-world settings. This synergy has positioned him as a key figure in advancing modern management approaches that are responsive, ethical, and globally attuned.

Odunayo’s path to Fellowship has been built on a consistent record of professional achievement. His work spans high-stakes roles, from negotiating technology procurement contracts for governments to advising multinational corporations on compliance and data protection.

Earlier in his career, as Senior Associate at Crowncourt Attorneys in Lagos, he advised corporate and multinational clients on complex commercial and regulatory matters. His tenure at First City Monument Bank saw him lead initiatives on privacy policy and digital platform compliance, years before such issues became mainstream in corporate governance.

Beyond his legal practice, Odunayo has contributed to public understanding of legal and business issues as a Legal Correspondent for BusinessDay Newspaper, where he authored over 60 articles within six months. His commitment to public education reflects a broader philosophy that knowledge, when shared responsibly, strengthens institutions and societies.

Odunayo’s Fellowship also represents a broader movement toward multidisciplinary leadership in Nigeria’s professional landscape. The IMC, as the nation’s foremost body for management consulting, recognizes that today’s challenges from digital transformation to global compliance demand leaders who can integrate expertise across domains. His recognition embodies this philosophy.

His credentials, including a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Commercial Law from the University of Birmingham and a certification from the International Association of Privacy Professionals (CIPP/C, illustrate a career grounded in academic rigor and professional integrity. These qualifications reinforce his ability to bridge theory and practice a skill essential to effective management consulting.

Through this Fellowship, Odunayo gains not only recognition but also a platform to influence the next generation of professionals. His leadership demonstrates that success in the modern era requires versatility, global awareness, and the capacity to merge legal, technical, and managerial insight into cohesive strategy.

The election of Odunayo Oyasiji as a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants of Nigeria is both a culmination and a beginning a recognition of excellence achieved and a gateway to even greater influence. His professional journey illustrates how legal precision, ethical management, and visionary leadership can be combined to address the world’s most complex challenges.

As the global economy becomes more intertwined and data-driven, professionals like Odunayo are redefining what it means to lead. His Fellowship signals a new model of Nigerian leadership one that is globally competent, strategically focused, and deeply committed to professional standards. It reflects the IMC’s belief that effective management is not confined by geography or industry, but by the quality of thought and purpose behind it.

Odunayo Oyasiji’s recognition as a Fellow of the Institute is not just a personal milestone it is a symbol of the expanding global relevance of Nigerian professionals who continue to shape the future of management, governance, and innovation through competence, vision, and integrity.