E. J. Alawode
E. J. Alawode
Registrar & Secretary in CouncilMrs. Emi’ Alawode assumed duty as the third substantive Registrar of McPherson University (McU) in January 2026. A seasoned university administrator, she brings to her new role decades of rich professional experience spanning academic administration, human resource management, governance, public relations, and media engagement. Notably, Alawode was the pioneer Visiting Deputy Registrar at McPherson University in 2012, where she played a pivotal role in laying the institution’s administrative foundation, strengthening staff coordination and student records management systems. During that period, she also established the University’s first official news bulletin, MCU Echo, setting the benchmark for structured internal and external communication.
Mrs Alawode leverages her growing experience in artificial intelligence and digital systems to strengthen Registry operations, including the gradual adoption of technology-enabled processes to improve records management, workflow efficiency, data integrity, and service delivery, in line with global best practices for modern, forward-looking universities. She carries a renewed focus on people-centred service delivery, administrative efficiency, and collaborative governance. With many years of experience in university administration, governance, and institutional communication, she sees the Registry as a critical support system that must function with clarity, empathy, and consistency. Central to her approach is an open-door policy that values ideas, feedback, and collaboration. She affirms that a modern Registry thrives when staff feel empowered, and students feel supported.
Previously, Mrs. Alawode worked across several strategic units of the University Registry at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Nigeria, managing over 17,500 student and 3,500 staff records during key academic sessions. Her introduction of digital administrative tools improved operational efficiency by over 60 per cent. She also worked closely with the Senate and Governing Council of both FUNAAB and McPherson University, contributing significantly to policy formulation, institutional reforms, and effective governance.
As Head of the Academic Staff Establishment Unit at FUNAAB, she pioneered the deployment of e-meeting folders for the Appointments and Promotions Committee, reducing paper use, minimising delays, and enhancing administrative efficiency. Additionally, she served, on two occasions, as substantive Head of the Directorate of Public Relations, where she redesigned the University Bulletin, achieving over 40 per cent growth in readership and engagement. Her leadership in strategic communication contributed to the University’s multiple national awards, laying the foundation for its official presence on social media platforms, including Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
An accomplished scholar and lifelong learner, the Registrar holds two Master’s Degrees in International Communication from the Leeds Beckett University, United Kingdom, and Vilnius University, Lithuania. She earned a combined first degree in Classics and Linguistics from the University of Ibadan. Currently pursuing Doctoral studies, her research explores how digital literacy and online platforms empower women in the informal economy.
Beyond the Nigerian University System, she has distinguished herself globally as a technology advocate, educator, and mentor. She is a former Volunteer Director of Women Who Code, Barcelona, an educator with SheAI, and a part-time lecturer at the Swiss School of Management, Barcelona. She is also a member of several reputable professional bodies, including the Association of Internet Researchers (AoiR), International Academic Forum (IAFOR), Professional Women’s Network Global, Association of University Administrators (AUA), Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), and a Fellow of programmes of the Netherlands Universities Foundation for International Cooperation (NUFFIC), the Internet Society, and the Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria.
Mrs. Alawode continues to drive impact as a global speaker, resource person, and community builder, sharing her expertise across digital platforms and international stages. She is deeply committed to mentoring young people, particularly women, and co-convenes EmpowHer, a platform that equips African female undergraduates with leadership and career skills. She also mentors through international networks such as World Pulse, The Bloom, and Vilnius University, while remaining active in LeanIn and Toastmasters International.
Consequently, the McU Registrar represents the new generation of university administrators who blend human-centred leadership with digital innovation. Her passion for mentorship, inclusivity, and AI-driven solutions align perfectly with McPherson’s vision to nurture excellence and integrity in service as she strengthens McU’s administrative backbone and inspires a culture of transparency, creativity, and professionalism among staff and students.
