Oluwatobiloba Michael Ajayi

Teaching Assistant @ University of Toronto

About

I am a Ph.D. candidate and Connaught Fellow at the University of Toronto, where my research investigates the intersections of religion, ethnicity, and politics in Africa, with a particular focus on Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election. My work explores how identity is strategically mobilized during elections and how these dynamics influence civic belonging and democratic participation in postcolonial contexts. I recently handed over as Co-Chair of the Anti-racism, Decolonization, and Equity (ADE) Committee in the Department for the Study of Religion, where I contributed to equity-focused academic reform and student advocacy. With a background in Religious Studies and Political Science, I bring interdisciplinary insight to critical questions in African studies, identity politics, and global development. In addition to my academic work, I am the Founder and CEO of Phronesis Productions, a Nigerian-based creative and research platform dedicated to “bringing practical wisdom to the entertainment industry.” Through film, music, and cultural documentation, we spotlight African legends and address pressing social issues such as mental health, governance, and justice. Our debut film Dark Moment garnered over 190,000 views on ApataTV and sparked critical discourse on trauma and healing in Yoruba communities. At Phronesis, we blend storytelling with scholarly insight to foster education, advocacy, and cultural preservation across Africa and the diaspora.

Country

City

Canada

Industry

Higher Education

Skill

Live Events, Music Production, Customer Insight, Microsoft Office, Writing, Statistical Modeling, Qualitative Research, Consulting, Project Management, Religion, Quantitative Research, Music Composition, Research, Production Management

Experience

Teaching Assistant

University of Toronto

2021-9 - Present · 5 yrs 1 mo

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Research Assistant - Centre for Criminology and Socio-Legal Studies, University of Toronto (June 1 - 31st Aug, 2022) & Teaching Assistant, Department for the Study of Religion, University of Toronto, Canada (2021 - Till Date). I teach courses and I research into issues related to Politics, Religion & Ethnicity, Religion and Entertainment, Religion and Criminology, Religious Ethics and Sociology of Religion!

Research Assistant

University of Toronto Centre for Criminology and Sociolegal Studies (CrimSL)

2022-6 - 2022-8 · 3 mos

Ontario, Canada

Worked under the supervision of Distinguished Professor Kamari Maxine Clarke, contributing to research projects on the history of religions in Africa, post-humanism, and the intersections of law, society, and African political life. Responsibilities included literature reviews and the development of scholarly materials.

Software Engineer

MTN Nigeria

2020-5 - 2021-9 · 1 yr 5 mos

Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Provided frontline technical support for SIM registration operations, including device repair, equipment troubleshooting, and maintenance of registration hardware and laptops. Responsible for inventory management, secure storage of devices, and ensuring smooth operation of SIM capture and verification systems across assigned locations.

Research and Teaching Assistant

University of Ibadan

2017-5 - 2019-5 · 2 yrs 1 mo

Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Appointed under the University of Ibadan Scholars Program, a competitive, fully funded M.A. scholarship for First Class graduates. Provided academic support by leading undergraduate tutorials, assisting in the teaching of General Studies (GES) courses, and compiling final-year students’ results. Actively contributed to course delivery and departmental academic activities during the course of M.A. studies.

Graduate Research Assistant

University of Ilorin (Unilorin)

2016-4 - 2017-5 · 1 yr 2 mos

Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

Served under the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme as a Graduate Research Assistant, a role designated for First Class graduates posted to academic institutions. Worked closely with Professor Oyeronke Olademo, Nigeria’s first female professor of Comparative Religions, contributing to research in Gender Studies, African Religions, and Women’s Studies. Supported departmental activities including undergraduate tutorials, conference and seminar organization, and general academic tasks as assigned by the Head of Department.