Profile of Bashir Olalekan Obasekola, PhD

Dr Bashir Olalekan Obasekola is a graduate of Economics from Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (formerly Patrice Lumumba Peoples’ Friendship University), Moscow. He came to USSR in 1986 as a private student on Soviet Union’s friendship scholarship. He graduated in 1992 with MSc (with distinction). He later proceeded to pursue his doctorate degree in the same University, which he successfully completed in 1995 with a PhD.

Dr Obasekola currently works as a Director of Economics at the Finance Department of a Publishing House “Independent Media”, a multinational corporation, one of the biggest and most renowned publishing houses in Russia, which publishes several women’s and men’s glossy magazines in Russia and other CIS countries.

In 1995-1997, Dr Obasekola had a brief stint as an Adjunct Lecturer at the Department of Finance and Accounting in the faculty of Economics & Law of the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia.

Besides his professional career, Dr Bashir Obasekola is very active amongst Nigerians and African communities in Russia and beyond. He is a member of a number of social and cultural organizations of Nigerians, Africans and Foreigners in Russia. Over the years he has participated and represented Nigeria in various national and international conferences in and outside Russia. He has made a number of publications in specialized or learned journals, including popular print and online magazines and newspapers. He is always a reference on issues relating to Nigerians, Africans and foreigners in Russia. Hence he is a sought after commentator, research participant and speaker on the life and living of Africans in Russia. He is a tireless promoter of Nigerian image, one of the reasons why he is fondly referred to by his Russians colleagues as the unofficial Nigerian Ambassador, who often features on Russian Television and Radio on contemporary issues on Nigeria economy and politics.

As an active community activist, Dr Obasekola had held several key posts in different non-governmental Nigerian and foreigners organizations in Russia. He has strong passion for the youth and their development. Under his tutelage, several Nigerian youth have become engaged in Nigerian community activities in Russia. He is founding member and a Board member of an organization for immigrants in Russia, a Federation of Migrants in Russia.

In 1988-1989, he was the President of the Union of Nigerian Students in Peoples’ Friendship University. Even though he was never a Nigerian government sponsored student, Dr Obasekola dedicated most of his time to gear up all students to patriotism, good citizenship and promotion of Nigeria.

From 2001 to 2008, Dr Obasekola was the President-General of the Nigerian Community Russia. His experience as former students’ leader was handy when he was chosen as the leader of the Nigerian Community to bridge the differences between all the various strata of Nigerians residing in Russia, he worked with dedication and passion to nurture the organization to a level of acceptance by many Nigerians and recognition by the local institutions and authorities.

Between 2012 to 2014 Dr Obasekola was the Chairman of the Russian Chapter of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization Europe (NIDOE-Russia).

From February 2014 till November 2016, Dr Bashir Obasekola was the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Nigerians In Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE). During his tenure, he was instrumental to the reform of the Organisation. He was also part of the team that actualized the establishment of Nigerians in Diaspora Worldwide, a collaborative special purpose vehicle for the Nigerians in Diaspora leadership.

Dr Obasekola is a dedicated volunteer and philanthropist, who has given generously of his time, expertise, and financial resources to impact on lives of students and individuals in need. He is a role model to many Nigerians for his simplicity, accessibility and exceeding humility and leadership by example.

Dr Obasekola is a recipient of several honors and appreciations from different Nigerian and Russian organizations, in recognition of his selfless service and contributions to the development and unity amongst the community of Nigerians in Russia. In 2009, he got a merit award from the Embassy of Nigeria in Russia as recognition for his numerous supports and assistance to fellow Nigerians and the Nigerian Embassy in Russia.

Dr Bashir Olalekan Obasekola hails from Emure-Ile, Owo local government area of Ondo State, Nigeria. He was born in June 1967.