Biography of Funmi Olonisakin
Funmi Olonisakin (born February 8, 1965) is a distinguished British-Nigerian scholar and professor specializing in leadership, peace, and conflict. She serves as Vice President/Principal (International) at King’s College London, where she is also the first Black woman to achieve professorship and deliver an inaugural lecture. Additionally, she holds the title of Extra-Ordinary Professor at the University of Pretoria and is a member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) advisory group of experts on the review of the UN Peacebuilding Architecture.
Education and Background
Born in South London to Nigerian parents, Oluwafunmilayo (“Funmi”) Olonisakin earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. She pursued advanced studies at King’s College London, obtaining both a Master’s and a PhD in War Studies.
Career Highlights
Olonisakin has dedicated her career to fostering leadership and peacebuilding in Africa, driven by principles of Pan-Africanism, diversity, and integrity. She founded the African Leadership Centre (ALC) to cultivate the next generation of African leaders and scholars, emphasizing transformational values and youth engagement. As Programme Director of the ALC’s MSc programmes in Leadership, Peace, and Security, she has mentored numerous fellows while promoting knowledge sharing through collaborations with distinguished mentors and faculty.
Previously, she worked with the United Nations, where she managed the African Unit under the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict. In this role, she facilitated the establishment of the National Commission for War-Affected Children in Sierra Leone and the Child Protection Unit within ECOWAS.
Olonisakin also served as Director of the Conflict, Security, and Development Group at King’s College London (2003–2013) and was a founding member of the African Security Sector Network (ASSN), acting as its West African Regional Coordinator from 2008 to 2012.
Her work extends to advisory roles with the African Union, ECOWAS, and organizations such as the Thabo Mbeki African Leadership Institute, the Geneva Centre for Democratic Control of Armed Forces, and the Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa.
Publications and Advocacy
Olonisakin has contributed extensively to peace and conflict studies, publishing works on African governance, post-conflict reconstruction, and the role of women in peacebuilding. She advocates bridging gaps between academia, policy, and practice, championing evidence-based approaches to leadership and governance.
Recognition and Influence
As the first Black woman to achieve professorship at King’s College London, Olonisakin has been recognized in the Powerlist of Britain’s most influential people of African origin, ranking among the Top 10 in 2019 and appearing in subsequent editions.
Her work continues to impact global peacebuilding efforts, and she remains a prominent voice for progressive, transformative leadership that addresses complex societal challenges.