Olutayo Ekundayo
Doctoral Researcher at De Montfort University
Give us a brief description of your background
I grew up in Okitipupa, a small town in Ondo State, Nigeria, where I first saw how vulnerable communities can be to environmental challenges. I went on to study Urban and Regional Planning, completing a bachelor’s at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, and a master’s at the University of Ibadan.
More recently, I completed a second master’s in Urban Climate and Sustainability in the UK, Germany, Spain and Finland under the MUrCS Erasmus Mundus scholarship mobility programme. Currently, I am a PhD researcher at De Montfort University, working on the FAIR (Flood Aware Informed Resilient) Project under the Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation Program (FCRIP), which focuses on developing inclusive community engagement framework for flood-affected areas.
My work bridges academic research, policy, and practice, with the goal of making resilience planning more socially grounded and community-led.
Who/what inspires you?
I am inspired by ordinary people who quietly shape the lives of those around them – teachers who spark curiosity in a child, caregivers who show patience and kindness day after day, or neighbours who look out for one another when no one is watching. Their humility, resilience, and consistency remind me that real impact often comes not from grand gestures, but from small acts of integrity and care that ripple outward. I also draw strength from mentors and visionaries who challenge the status quo while remaining grounded in humanity.
What does the word leadership make you think of?
Leadership makes me think of bridges. A leader stands between people and possibilities, helping others cross divides – whether those divides are of knowledge, trust, or opportunity. It’s about listening before speaking, serving before directing, and carrying responsibility not for personal gain but for collective good. Leadership, for me, is the art of turning shared struggles into shared strength.
How do you feel about taking part in the Future Leaders programme?
I feel as though I am stepping into a journey of discovery. The Future Leaders Programme, for me, is like opening a door to new ways of thinking about myself, about others, and about the future we want to build. What excites me most is the opportunity to experiment, to be challenged, and to learn alongside peers who see leadership not as a destination but as a practice.
In the context of net zero, I see this as a chance to reimagine what is possible: to move beyond slogans and targets, and to develop the kind of leadership that can turn bold ambition into everyday reality.
What do you think are the keys to a sustainable future?
A sustainable future is less about invention and more about intention—the will to live lightly and share widely. It won’t be unlocked by one master key, but by millions of small keys turning together: the everyday choices of individuals, communities, and organisations aligning in courage and purpose. When invention is guided by intention, and when our small acts combine, they create the collective force strong enough to open the door to a fairer, greener, and more resilient world.
