Dr. IBIDAPO NATHANIEL ADEBAYO

Biography

My name is Adebayo Ibidapo Nathaniel, born on 24 May 1962 in Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria. I am a Nigerian, married, and blessed with two children. My journey has been shaped by a passion for education, hospitality, tourism, food production, research, and service to humanity.

My educational journey began with technical and professional training. I obtained my National Diploma in 1986, Higher National Diploma in 1990, Teachers’ Training Certificate in 1998, Bachelor’s degree in 2004, Master’s degree in 2013, and Ph.D. in 2018. These qualifications strengthened my professional competence and prepared me for a rewarding career in hospitality education and academic research.

I began my career in practical hospitality and education, working as an instructor, catering officer, and expatriate chef, among other professional roles. I later entered tertiary education and served at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic and Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, where I rose through the ranks to Principal Lecturer. I subsequently joined the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, where I became a Reader in the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management. I also served as Acting Head of Department from August 2020 to July 2026 and have undertaken visiting academic responsibilities at Elizade University.

Research and scholarship have been central to my academic career. I have published extensively in hospitality, tourism, food science, sustainability, human resource management, and related fields. I have also authored and co-authored books and contributed papers at national and international conferences.

I am a Fellow of the Hospitality and Tourism Management Association of Nigeria, Institute of Tourism Professionals of Nigeria, and Institute of Policy Management Development. I have served as an external examiner, facilitator, resource person, promotion assessor, accreditation personnel, and committee member in various institutions.

Beyond academia, I value community service, leadership.

Research Interests

Hospitality and Tourism Management; Sustainable and Green Tourism; Hotel Operations; Food Production and Culinary Management; Food Quality, Nutrition and Sensory Evaluation; Indigenous Gastronomy; Hospitality Human Resource Management; Hospitality Entrepreneurship; Tourism Marketing and E-Tourism; Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty; Safety and Security in Hospitality; and Community-Based Tourism Development.

Qualifications

Membership of Professional Bodies

Paper Presentation - Local

Selected Publications