Board of Trustees

Prof. A.O. Aremu - University of Ibadan - Chairman

Professor Amos Oyesoji Aremu, a Fellow of Commonwealth, and African Institute of South Africa, and a former Director of Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan. He is presently a Visiting Professor and Director, Centre for Open, Distance and eLearning, Osun State University.

He is an astute scholar of repute in Counselling Psychology and Criminal Justice.

Professor Aremu undoubtedly has a zest for research and scholarship. This is evident from several studies he has conducted over the years. His area of research focus is on Policing and Police Psychology. Through many of these studies he has contributed to research information and knowledge on Policing and Police Studies in Nigeria. He has also conducted studies on the academic performance and other school related behaviour of Nigerian school children. On the basis of the above, it is no gainsaying that Professor Aremu is a committed and ardent researcher who deserves to be reinforced for his commitment to academics.

To his credit, he has over 130 publications in peer-reviewed journals including three books. Most of these are journal articles that are products of empirical research with adequate methodological clarity. These have appeared in reputable publication outlets. He is Chairman, Education Management Board of the Nigerian Baptist Convention.

Professor Aremu is a member of several academic societies: British Society of Criminology, International Police Executive Symposium, Counselling Association of Nigeria, Fellow, Society for Peace Studies and Practice, and Founder, Open, Distance and eLearning Association of Nigeria.

Professor Amos Oyesoji Aremu is now the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Positive Psychology Association of Nigeria.

Prof. Ruth Aderanti - Babcock University

Professor Ruth Aderanti is a Professor of Applied Psychology, Babcock University, Illishan. She is adept at administrative and leadership tasks. She is a great collaborator for issues of post-secondary access and inclusion, student engagement, and advocate for students. She has served Babcock University in various capacities as Director of General Studies, Head of Department of Educational Foundations, Director of Academic Planning and presently Head of Department Education.

She belongs to several Academic societies.

She has published scholarly articles in both local and international journals as well as instructional books.

Her research interest is in Adolescent Counseling, and Educational Psychology.

Professor Aderanti has served as external examiner for some postgraduate Dissertations/thesis and external moderator for counselling practicum of some postgraduate students in several universities.

Presently, she is an editor of Babcock University Journal of Education, (BUJED), Editor, Ogun APROCON Journal. Chairman, PoPAN Steering Committee and now a member of Board of Trustees, Positive Psychology Association of Nigeria.

Prof. T. Ortese - Benue State University

Prof Peter Terfa Ortese is a proud product of Universities of Jos, Benue and the Premier University, University of Ibadan. He holds a PhD degree in Guidance and Counselling. His areas of interest include: Psychology of Creativity, Marriage and Family Counselling, Personnel Counselling, Childhood and adolescent counselling, and Stress and trauma counselling.

Prof Peter Terfa Ortese is currently teaching and researching in the Department of Educational Foundations, Benue State University, Makurdi.

He is an Editor to Keffi Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy (online journal), Keffi Journal of Education Studies and African Journal of Adolescent Psychology. He is a consultant to a number of public and private institutions.

Professor Peter Ortese is now Member, Board of Trustees, Positive Psychology Association of Nigeria.

Prof. P.O Olapegba- University of Ibadan

Professor Peter Olamakinde Olapegba holds a B.Sc. (Hons) in Psychology; M.Sc. in social/personality psychology and PhD in Applied Social/Health Psychology. He worked briefly as a Research Officer with National Examination Council (NECO), Nigeria from where he joined the services of the University of Ibadan on June 1, 2000 as an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Psychology, was promoted Senior Lecturer in 2008, Reader in 2011 and a full Professor with effect from 1 October, 2014. He has over 70 publications comprising of chapters in books and articles in internationally acclaimed peer review journals.

He was a Visiting Lecturer to Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungbo-Akoko, Postdoctoral Fellow at the North West University, Mafikeng, South Africa, recipient of ICP/Change Fellowship Research Grant from Jacobson Foundation, Canada and University of Ibadan Senate Research Grant. Professor Olapegba has also served his University in various capacities which include Sub-Dean (Postgraduate) Faculty of the Social Sciences (2013 – 2015), and Dean, Faculty of the Social Sciences (2018 – 2020). He is a member of several professional bodies including America Psychological Association (APA), Nigerian Psychological Association (NPA), Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP), Nigerian Association of Social Psychologists (NASP), International Association of Psychology (IAAP) and Institute for Chattered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC). He was a member of the Governing Council, The Ibarapa Polytechnic, Oyo State; Governing Board, International School, Ibadan. Furthermore, he is: Member, Editorial Advisory Board, Journal of Cultural Analysis and Social Change, Editor, Journal of Positive Psychology and Counselling, and Member, Editorial Board, African Journal for the Psychological Study of Social Issues.

Dr. Abigail Okon - University of Calabar - Secretary

Dr Abigail Edem Okon is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Educational Foundations, University of Calabar, Nigeria. She holds a B.Sc. (Ed) in Business Education, M. Ed in Educational Psychology both from the University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria. She obtained Philosophy of Education (Ph.D.) Educational Psychology from the Department of Guidance and Counselling University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. She is a member of some Professional Associations such as National Society for Psychosocial Research; Nigerian Society for Educational Psychologist; Counselling Association of Nigeria to mentioned but a few. She has published more than thirty-five articles and two textbooks on Introduction to Psychology and Human Life-span Development. She is a member of Faculty of Education Welfare, Chairman Departmental Welfare, Secretary Examination Malpractice all in the University of Calabar. Her interest is based on Educational Psychology, Child Psychology, Adolescent Psychology, and Social Psychology which are all connected to Positive Psychology. Aside from Her academics’ career Dr. (Mrs.) Abigail Okon is able to handle multiple tasks on a daily basis. She is a very Dependable person who is time conscious, eager to learn especially new skills. Currently she is the Secretary Board of Trustees, Positive Psychology Association of Nigeria.

Dr. Gbenga Afolayan - Murdoch University, Australia

Dr Gbenga Emmanuel Afolayan is an interdisciplinary researcher and a teacher, with bachelor degree (B.Ed in Guidance and Counselling with Economics) at University of Ibadan (Nigeria), two master’s degrees – MA in Development Studies (Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University, the Netherlands) and MA in Public Policy and Management (University of York, UK) respectively and PhD (Education) at Murdoch University (MU), Australia.

Dr Afolayan is a Research Fellow at School of Education and Arts, Murdoch University Australia; with an interest in ‘psychology of social justice and sex differences in education’, educational marginalisation, indigenous and rural/remote studies, gender violence, and ideas of ‘development’.

His current work is concentrated on (1) Gender, Islamic law, and female education in northern Nigeria; (2) The small quiet voices from the rural communities: sexual harassment of Nigerian rural women; and (3) Disability and educational marginalisation in rural Nigeria.

Dr Afolayan’s work is primarily influenced by approaches in interdisciplinary studies of ‘psychology, social justice and development’, liberation education, gender geography and feminist thought.

He has worked with communities in south-western and north-western Nigeria and Western Australia, and frequently provides advice to international development organisations and non-government organisations.

Dr Afolayan has led Thematic Group of Social Stratification of The Australian Sociological Association (TASA) for two consecutive terms.

Prior to joining MU, Gbenga worked as a teacher for the Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Nigeria, and as a counsellor at the Centre for Civil Reformation and Rehabilitation, Nigeria.

Dr Afolayan consults for international and regional NGOs specialising in empowering rural girls and women through education in developing countries.

Dr Gbenga Afolayan is a member of the Australian Counselling Association, and a member of National Tertiary Education Union, Australia. He is also a member of The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA).

Dr Gbenga Afolayan is now a member of Board of Trustees of Positive Psychology Association of Nigeria

Dr. Yinka Ojedokun- Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba

Dr. Oluyinka Ojedokun is an Associate Professor of Social Psychology in the Department of Pure & Applied Psychology at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria. He attended the prestigious University of Ibadan, Nigeria where he obtained B.Sc (Hons), M.Sc (Hons), and PhD in psychology in 2009. Dr. Ojedokun is a recipient of some fellowship and grants: include TETFUND research grant (Institutional Based) in 2016, Meaning-Making Research Initiative 2017 grant, and a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the North-West University (Mafikeng Campus), South Africa. He is a member of many professional bodies which include Nigerian Psychological Association, Nigerian Association of Social Psychologists, American Psychological Association, Association for Psychological Science, Society for the Psychological Studies of Social Issues, International Society for the Study of Behavioural Development, and Society for Research in Child Development. He has over sixty publications in high impact journals.

His recent research profile:

Citation Indices All Since 2015

Citations 3401 11728

h-Index 16 14

i10-index 19 16

ORCID: 0000-0002-3497-4618 or Researcher ID: E-5800-

His current and previous research interests centred on but not limited to application of social psychology theories to areas such as environmental behaviours and attitudes, open defecation, unhygienic behaviour in public toilets, gender and sexuality, workplace mental health and well-being, and anti-social behaviours.

Dr. Ojedokun is now a member of Board of Trustees, Positive Psychology Association of Nigeria.

Dr. Talatu Umar - Umaru Musa Yaradua University, Katsina

Dr. Umar, Talatu Ibrahim is a Senior Lecturer in Counselling and Educational Foundations Department, Umaru Musa ‘Yar’Adua University, Katsina State, Nigeria. She obtained a Bachelor Degree in History and Islamic Studies from Bayero University Kano, a Post graduate Diploma in Education from Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, and earned her Master (M.Ed) and Doctoral (Ph.D) Degrees in Counselling Psychology from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

Dr Talatu was the last Head of Department of Education, and the pioneer/current Head of Department of Counseling and Educational Foundations, UMYU.

As part of community service, he was the Surveyor for the Lot Quality Assessment Sampling (LQAS) During the polio immunization plus day Campaign (WHO) and Surveyor for the Routine Immunization Lot Quality Assessment Survey (RI-LQAS) by WHO. She has worked on law of sexual Harassment and Rape, organized by the state Accountability and voice initiative (SAVI) in Collaboration with justice for All (J4A) for Police officers, House of Assembly Members and Civil Society Organizations in Katsina and Niger States.

She was one time Treasurer for the Development of Education in Katsina state, and Coalition of Civil society organization Katsina state. An Editorial Member UMYU Journal of Educational Research, Journal of positive Psychology and Counseling.

Dr Talatu has several publications in reputable national and international peer reviewed journals as well as co-authored textbooks. She has served as external examiner in University of Ibadan among others. Her teaching and research focus among others deals with the application of psychological principles in understanding and achieving the multi-factors affecting career selection, growth, effectiveness, and success as well as employees psychological well-being.

Dr Talatu is a member of many professional associations which include Counselling Association of Nigeria, Nigerian Society of Educational Psychologist, and Forum for African Women Educationalists and now a member of Board of Trustees, Positive Psychology Association of Nigeria.

Dr. D.A. Oluwole University of Ibadan

Adebayo David Oluwole, is a happyiologist and an Associate Professor with bias in Counselling, Consulting and Positive psychology in the Department of Guidance and Counselling. He was former Sub-Dean (Postgraduate) Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

His consultancy and research focus include health, counselling and cyber psychology. He is a member of various professional associations such as Health Promotion Research Association of Nigeria (HEPRAN), Counselling Association of Nigeria, the Emerald Literati Network and International Cultic Studies Association.

Currently, he is a proponent of positive psychology. In his research activities in the field of counselling psychology, he noticed that in the 21st century, positive psychology is very germane in addressing and managing evolving human problems to achieve the cardinal purpose of facilitating human adjustive capabilities and development. He has over 50 publications in peer-reviewed local and international journals and textbooks. He is the Chief Editor for the Journal of Positive and Counselling Psychology, and Business Editor of Nigerian Journal of Applied Psychology. He is also a lead consultant at Positive Psychology and Educational Consult. He runs a blog site www.positivepsychology.org.ng/ which is a clearinghouse for psychological resources on happiness and other metaneeds to optimally engage life and make meaningful living. A visioner and founder of Positive Psychology Association of Nigeria. He is now a member of Board of Trustees of PoPAN.