Every accomplished professional has a story about where the journey began. For Olufunke “Funke” Olaode, it started in the classrooms of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, where she graduated in 2002 with an Upper Credit in Mass Communication. She also emerged as the Best Female Graduating Student in her department and the Overall Best Graduating Student, an early sign of the discipline and determination that would later define her career.
Even as an undergraduate, Olaode showed an unusual drive to move beyond the classroom. Rather than waiting to graduate before entering the media industry, she began freelancing and interviewing notable personalities in Ibadan, including the late former governor Lam Adesina, legal luminary Richard Akinjide (SAN), and Afe Babalola (SAN), founder of Afe Babalola University.
During her National Youth Service Corps between 2003 and 2004, she served as a course instructor in the Department of Mass Communication at Sokoto Polytechnic, where she taught Communication Skills, Fundamentals of Communication, and Public Relations. Her dedication in the classroom earned her an Outstanding Performance Award, another early recognition of her commitment to excellence.
For many professionals, early success can become a comfort zone. For Olaode, it became motivation to keep growing. Five years after completing her first degree, she decided to return to school for a master’s degree at the University of Ibadan.
The decision required significant determination. For two years, she travelled regularly between Lagos and Ibadan, navigating the often demanding Lagos-Ibadan Expressway while attending lectures, conducting research, and balancing professional responsibilities. In June 2009, she completed her Master of Communication Arts (MCA), specialising in Communication and Language Arts, proving that determination and discipline can overcome even the most challenging schedules.
More than a decade later, with over 20 years of professional experience behind her, Olaode once again chose to expand her knowledge. In 2024, she embarked on an academic journey that would take her across three continents in pursuit of advanced training in strategic and organisational communication.
Between September 2024 and January 2025, she completed an Advanced Certificate in Strategic Communication at the Rotterdam School of Management Corporate Communication Centre of Erasmus University in the Netherlands. The programme focused on strategic thinking, stakeholder engagement, and communication planning in complex organisational environments.
In November 2024, she also completed an eDiploma in Effective Organisational Communication from the Harvard Division of Continuing Education at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Reflecting on the experience, she explained that the programme reshaped her understanding of how communication functions within modern organisations.
“Communication isn’t just about conveying information,” she said. “It is about creating understanding, building trust, and driving action.”
She further strengthened her expertise with a Certificate in Crisis Communication from the International School of Communication in London between October and December 2024. The training focused on crisis preparedness, reputation management, and rapid response strategies in an era when reputational challenges can escalate quickly on social media.
Together, the programmes from Harvard, Rotterdam, and London provided a comprehensive perspective on modern communication strategy and placed her among a growing group of professionals combining journalism experience with strategic communication expertise.
Beyond her academic achievements, Olaode has built a career that spans journalism, communication strategy, and consulting, she is currently the Assistant Editor at THISDAY Newspapers. Over the years, she has worked with organisations such as Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and Caverton Offshore Support Group, contributing communication expertise across public, development, and corporate sectors.
Shortly after completing her international programmes, she undertook an apprenticeship as a communication and media strategist with Caverton Offshore Support Group Plc between April and June 2025. In that role, she supported corporate communication initiatives, contributed to executive messaging, and participated in communication efforts related to the formalisation of UNITY Shipping Worldwide, a joint venture involving NNPC Limited, Caverton, and Stena Bulk.
Her work extends beyond professional assignments. In early 2024, she demonstrated the power of empathy and influence when she mobilised support for Amina Olufunmi, a house cleaner who aspired to become a fashion designer but lacked financial support. Through an initiative she convened, resources were mobilised and the young woman was enrolled in fashion school with accommodation, equipment, and a monthly stipend.
For Olaode, such actions reflect a belief that communication is not only about information but also about impact.
She has also participated in several international events and training programmes, including the World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings in Washington DC, the United Nations Pledging Conference for the Sustainable Development Goals in New York, and various global conferences in cities such as London, Dubai, Istanbul, Johannesburg, Dakar, and Lusaka.
Her academic credentials from Harvard, Rotterdam, and London have been verified by World Education Services (WES), a global credential evaluation organisation. She is also an associate member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.
For Olaode, the pursuit of knowledge remains a lifelong commitment.
“I’m a consistent, committed and multi-tasking individual who strives for excellence,” she said. “And I’m relentless when it comes to seeking knowledge. This isn’t the end of my learning journey; it’s a new beginning.”
In a rapidly evolving communication landscape, professionals who combine practical experience with global learning are increasingly valuable. Olaode’s journey offers a reminder that growth often comes from stepping beyond familiar paths and continually seeking new knowledge.
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