A goal-driven researcher and lecturer with a passion for academic excellence – the Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) Dr Odunayo Magret Olarewaju wants to use her impressive educational achievements to inspire students’ to surpass their goals.

“I mentor students, I advise them, and I help them in their research papers. I mingle with them to find solutions in their subject areas,” said Dr Olarewaju.

A lecturer in the Department of Management Accounting at DUT, Dr Olarewaju recently graduated with a PhD in Accounting from the University of KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday, 13 September 2018 and the title of her PhD thesis was Dividend Policy, Agency Cost and Bank Performance in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“This PhD was completed in record time of 1 year 11 months (less than 2 years) with five published journal articles in DOHET accredited journals. The study was conducted because formulating and implementing effective dividend policy to minimize agency problems and increase performance remains an unresolved puzzle in the banking sector, most especially the Sub-Saharan Africa region,” said Dr Olarewaju.

Dr Olarewaju also has a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Accounting from the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife Nigeria and Master of Science degree in Accounting from the same University. She passed her honours and Master’s degree Cum laude.

Since joining DUT in January 2018, Dr Olarewaju has presented three research papers at three international conferences held at Cape Town, the University of Zululand both in South Africa and Oxford University in the United Kingdom. Additionally, during the Southern Africa Accounting Association (SAAA), KwaZulu-Natal Regional Teaching and Learning Conference in June 2018, her paper won an award as the best full research paper.

“I see research as a working tool for an academic. I have published four journal articles this year and two other articles are already accepted for publication. In general, I have eleven published articles,” she said.

Dr Olarewaju is presently supervising three masters’ students in Accounting at DUT and aims to impact Accounting knowledge to students through teaching, prompt and adequate assessments.

Also in her quest for Community Development Activities, Dr Olarewaju has delivered career talks at two institutions of learning in Durban on the Habits of Successful Students and Benefits of Choosing Accounting as a Profession.

Pictured: Dr Odunayo Magret Olarewaju

Sandile Lukhozi