People

Professor Wasiu A. Babalola is a distinguished polymath, renowned for his expansive expertise in hotel and tourism management, operations management, marketing, forensic accounting, audit, international business, law, and corporate strategic management. He holds dual PhDs in Hospitality Management and Forensic Accounting & Audit and other qualifications in Accounting, Law, Human Resources, Hospitality and Tourism Management among others; bridging the gap between academia and industry with unparalleled proficiency.

He is a Certified Accreditor for Programme and Institutional Accreditation, as well as a Professor of Hotel Management & Tourism. He is also a Chartered Member of the National Association of AI Practitioners (NAAIP), reflecting his deep engagement with the transformative role of technology and innovation in modern industries.

In the professional sphere, Professor Babalola is the Senior Vice President for Africa at Continent Worldwide Hotels, the hotel chain has more than 100 hotels in 13 countries across four continents. His strategic roles include serving as Director & Trustee of the African Travel Commission and formerly as Managing Director for West Africa at Swiss International Hotels & Resorts, making significant global contributions to the hospitality and tourism industry.

Professor Babalola’s achievements have earned him numerous accolades, including induction into the Top 100 Tourism Personalities in Africa (2024) and also in Nigeria (2018), being named Nigeria Hotel Man of the Year (2021), and being honoured as West Africa Tourism & Hospitality Educator of the Year (2021). He has also served as the Regional Chairman of the Institute of Hospitality, UK (Nigeria), and is currently the National President & Chairman of Council of the Institute of Hospitality Accountants and Revenue Managers (IHArm) as well as the 2nd National Vice President of the Nigerian Hotel and Catering Institute (NHCI).

Beyond his professional commitments, Professor Babalola is a philanthropist and community leader. He is the benefactor of the Babalola Peace Foundation, a dedicated Rotarian, and currently serves as an Assistant Governor of Rotary District 9111 Nigeria, having previously served as the 36th President of the Rotary Club of Isolo during the 2016/17 Rotary year.

Professor Babalola’s expertise positions him as an ideal panelist for the upcoming webinar, Digital Diplomacy and Tourism in Africa: Unlocking Opportunities for Growth and Collaboration. His deep understanding of digital transformation, tourism development, and strategic collaboration aligns perfectly with the themes of the event. His Chartered Membership with the National Association of AI Practitioners (NAAIP) highlights his knowledge of leveraging artificial intelligence to drive growth and innovation in education, learning, and the tourism and hospitality industry

Additionally, his vast experience managing multinational hotel operations, combined with his academic and professional contributions to Africa’s tourism and hospitality landscape, ensures a wealth of insights on how digital diplomacy can unlock new opportunities for the continent. With a proven track record of fostering collaboration and advancing global tourism initiatives, Professor Babalola is well-equipped to inspire and inform discussions that pave the way for sustainable growth in African tourism.