Ajayi Akinlolu

I am an Executive Operations professional and strategic problem solver with 12+ years of experience supporting senior leadership in complex, high-pressure environments. My work has taught me that when something goes wrong, the most useful response is usually not to create more alarm—it is to understand the situation clearly, think through the options and move toward a practical solution. What I am particularly good at is bringing calm and structure to situations that are not going according to plan.

I look at what is really needed, identify the available options, bring the right people together and work toward a solution that protects the objective while minimizing unnecessary disruption. I am comfortable taking ownership when circumstances change, including when the answer is not immediately obvious. My experience spans executive support, international travel, Board and governance coordination, diplomatic and stakeholder relationships, vendor negotiation and time-sensitive operational assignments.

I have managed an executive travel portfolio exceeding ₦100M, coordinated more than 200 international delegations and supported senior executives and Directors across five West African member countries. At WAEC, I have progressed through four promotions and become a trusted coordination point for senior leadership, including the Registrar/CEO, Board of Trustees, Council Members and approximately 150 Directors and senior executives. I have also built strong professional relationships with managers, government officials, expatriates, diplomats and international delegates who trust me with sensitive travel arrangements, documentation, logistics and other matters where discretion and reliability are essential.

That trust is reflected in the professional appreciation and positive feedback I receive from the people I support. I value that feedback because, to me, excellent executive support is not simply about completing a task. It is about giving people confidence that the details are being handled properly, communicating clearly, protecting sensitive information and being someone they can rely on when circumstances change.

I am now looking to bring that same combination of judgment, reliability, discretion, relationship management and strategic problem solving to a strictly remote international organization—helping leaders stay focused while I help make the complex things work.

Senior Protocol Officer - WEST AFRICAN EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL (WAEC)

(2023-07)

Partner with the Registrar/CEO, Council Members, Directors, Board of Trustees and senior executives to coordinate executive operations, official engagements, travel, documentation and protocol requirements.

• Serve as a trusted coordination point for approximately 150 Directors and senior executives, processing executive travel and protocol requests and ensuring timely documentation, bookings and follow-through.
• Manage an executive travel budget exceeding ₦100 million, balancing financial stewardship, policy requirements, service quality and operational continuity.
• Coordinate approximately 45 domestic and international executive business trips annually, including flight bookings, visas, accommodation, airport transfers, itineraries, travel documentation and contingency planning.
• Coordinate protocol and executive logistics for 200+ international delegations, diplomats, ambassadors, government officials, Board members and VIP visitors.
• Plan and deliver 20+ executive meetings, conferences, workshops, official ceremonies and governance engagements each year, coordinating stakeholders, logistics, documentation and on-site execution.
• Coordinate the Annual International Council Meeting for 100+ delegates, Board Directors and government nominees representing five West African member countries.
• Coordinate travel and protocol arrangements for the CEO/Registrar and Board of Trustees, ensuring high-touch service and accurate execution of time-sensitive itineraries.
• Build and maintain working relationships with embassies, diplomatic missions, airlines, hotels, government agencies and international partners to resolve travel and protocol requirements.
• Secured special travel waivers through strengthened embassy relationships, creating practical solutions for official travel where standard arrangements presented constraints.
• Resolved a critical Nigeria–Sierra Leone logistics emergency by leveraging a professional relationship, negotiating a private-aircraft arrangement and coordinating the movement of confidential examination materials when no suitable commercial flight was available; enabled same-day delivery and protected examination continuity.
• Negotiate with airlines, hotels and other service providers to secure favourable arrangements, improve service delivery and achieve cost efficiencies for WAEC.
• Prepare executive correspondence, briefing notes, reports, presentations, meeting documentation and official records while maintaining strict confidentiality.
• Supervise, coach and mentor protocol officers, transferring operational knowledge and reinforcing consistent standards of service and professionalism.
• Provide operational support beyond standard working hours for urgent executive travel, international engagements, governance events and time-sensitive assignments.
• Identify travel, protocol and event risks early and implement contingency plans to minimize disruption to executive schedules and organizational activities.
• Earned four progressive promotions through sustained performance, leadership, professionalism and consistent delivery of executive and protocol services.
• Received the WAEC Best Protocol Staff Service Award (2024/2025) and senior-management commendations for exceptional service delivery.

Principal Protocol Officer - WEST AFRICAN EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL (WAEC)

(2020-01 - 2023-06)

Higher Protocol Officer - WEST AFRICAN EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL (WAEC)

(2017-01 - 2020-12)

Protocol Officer - WEST AFRICAN EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL (WAEC)

(2014-07 - 2017-12)

Business Manager / Supervisor - Franchise Advisory Limited

(2008-08 - 2011-10)

• Supervised daily business operations, administrative activities and service delivery.
• Coordinated office activities, prepared business reports and operational documentation, and supported customer relationship management.
• Supported business development and client engagement initiatives while maintaining service standards.

Personal Assistant (NYSC) - Kabba Local Government Council - Kogi State

(2007-01 - 2007-12)

• Supported the Executive Chairman with appointments, correspondence, meeting schedules and official documentation.
• Prepared reports and coordinated executive meetings and office activities.

M.Sc. - Human Resource Management (2013)

B.Sc. - Public Administration (2006)