S. Ademola Ajayi was born in Ghana, where he had his early education. He is a product of the Ibadan School of History, University of Ibadan, where he obtained his PhD degree, and where is currently a Professor of History.

Professor Ajayi had a brief teaching stint at the University of Abuja, Nigeria (1993-94). He has held visiting appointments in a number of institutions, including University of The Gambia, Kanifing, Greater Banjul (2001-2002); Kennesaw State University, Georgia, USA (2006); University of Cape Coast, Ghana (2008-2009); and University of Ghana, Legon-Accra (2017-2018).

Ademola Ajayi was Head of the Department of History, University of The Gambia (2001-2002) and at the University of Ibadan from 2003 to 2006. He has served as Vice President, Historical Society of Nigeria (HSN) (2005-2010), and a member of the Governing Council, Osun State College of Education, Ila-Orangun. He has also served as the National Vice-President of the American Studies Association of Nigeria [ASAN]. Ajayi was, or still is, a member of a number of other learned societies, including the Historical Society of Ghana (HSG); African Studies Association, United Kingdom (ASAUK); Association for Third World Studies (ATWS); and Baptist Historical Society (based in the UK). Professor Ajayi’s current research interests are in the areas of Church History, Cultural Studies, Women and Gender related Studies, Biographical Studies, and History of Pan-Africanism. He is the editor of the classic and best-selling African Culture and Civilization; and, the author of Baptist Work in Nigeria, 1850-2005:  A Comprehensive History, another best seller.