Professor Dr. Salewa Olafioye, affectionately known as Ola, is a distinguished figure in the African community, both within North America and abroad. As the co-founder and the first president of the United African Community Organization (UACO) established in 2000, Dr. Olafioye has been instrumental in uniting a 25-nation coalition of African countries under one umbrella. Presently, he serves as the Executive Director of UACO, the preeminent African non-governmental organization in North America that represents over seventy-five multinational interests with humanitarian services across African nations.
Dr. Olafioye's expertise extends to the medical field, where he is recognized as a leading specialist in HIV/AIDS treatment and research. His invaluable contribution to global health included a tenure as a Health Consultant for the United Nations from 1994 to 1996.
Beyond his medical accomplishments, Dr. Olafioye is renowned for his community organizing, advocacy for human rights, and humanitarian efforts. His membership and leadership roles span multiple community, national, and international organizations. Notably, he was the founding president of the Odua organization in Michigan from 1990 to 1992 and served as the President of the Nigeria Foundation of Michigan between 1992 and 1994. As a co-founder of the Ikale World Congress (IWC), he currently leads as the chairman of the Board of Directors. A staunch advocate for democracy in Africa, Dr. Olafioye has played a pivotal role as the Chairman of the Democracy Alliance in the USA and as the President of the Nigeria Forum for Democracy. His unwavering commitment to democratic principles led to his detention by the military junta of General Sani Abacha upon his outspoken return to Nigeria in 1995, from which he was released through United Nations intervention. Dr. Olafioye was also an integral member of the advisory group to the late Chief MKO Abiola.
Following a 25-year tenure as a Health Consultant at the Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion, Dr. Olafioye transitioned into academia. He is currently a Professor of Medical Science at Wayne County Community College District and has previously held a professorship at the University of Phoenix.
Under his chairmanship at the Ikale World Congress Board of Directors, Dr. Olafioye spearheaded a medical mission to Ikale towns, providing free medical treatment and awarding scholarships for university education to Ikale indigenes.
Residing with his family in Detroit, Michigan, Dr. Olafioye is also an entrepreneur, owning and operating the Heritage Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria. Additionally, he holds chairmanship roles in several other organizations, including Better Nigeria and the Nigeria Diaspora Think Tank.
Professor Dr. Salewa Olafioye's multifaceted career and dedication to service epitomize the essence of leadership and community upliftment.