Christie Ade Ajayi

Born Christie Aduke Martins on 13 March 1930 in Ile Oluji, Ondo State, Christie Ade Ajayi (also written Ade-Ajayi) went to Kudeti Girls' School in Ibadan (now known as St. Anne's School) and then to United Missionary College, Ibadan where she trained to be a teacher.[1] She also studied in London at the Froebel Institute[2] and then at the Institute of Education where she received a Diploma in Child Development in 1958.[1] Between 1952 and 1978 she taught in various schools in Nigeria and one in London, became a headmistress,[3] and also went to San Jose State University, California where she was awarded a Diploma in Elementary School Administration and Leadership in 1971.[1] She married J. F. Ade Ajayi in 1956 with whom she had five children.[4] A friend of the family has described her "outgoing nature" and the family's "hospitable house".[5]

Ade Ajayi's experience in early years teaching led to a concern "with the learning needs of Nigerian children".[6] She was motivated to encourage preschoolers and beginner readers by offering them books that reflected their own experience and culture.[7] While enjoying stories and pictures of West African characters they could enlarge their vocabulary and develop reading skills.

Among her books are:

• Ade, our naughty little brother, Ibadan: Onibonoje, 1974
• The old story-teller, Ibadan: Onibonoje, 1975 (inspired by Yoruba folktales)
• Akin goes to school, with Michael Crowder, African Universities Press; J. Murray 1978
• Ali's bicycle, Ibadan: Macmillan, 1982
• Emeka's dog, Ibadan: Macmillan, 1982
• The book of animal riddles, Ibadan: Macmillan, 1982
• Pictionary, Longman 1986
• Which Way, Amina?, Macmillan Nigeria Publishers Ltd, 2001
• The Big Yellow House, West African Book Publishers Limited, 2004[8][9]

She has held a variety of leadership posts in educational organisations.[3] These include:

• Founder of the Ibadan branch of the World Organization for Early Childhood Education (OMEP:Organisation Mondiale Pour L'Éducation Préscolaire) in 1986.[10] As a long-standing honorary member of OMEP she helped host their 2009 world assembly in Lagos.[11]
• Chairman, Nursery School Board, University of Lagos[12]
• Consultant in Early Childhood Education, University of Ibadan[13]
• Member, Board of Governors, University of Lagos 1972-1978[1]
• Member, Board of Governors, St. Mary's Girls School, Ikole-Ekiti, 1976-1980[1]

In 1993 the International Journal of Early Childhood published her article on 'Collaboration with other international agencies in community development programmes: The Nigerian experience'.[14]