Dr Veronica Ibitola Makinde was born in Akure on 27th November 1964. She had her elementary and secondary education at St. Theresa’s Primary School Akure and Anglican Grammar School, Igbara-Oke both in Ondo State.
Dr. Ibitola Makinde can be tagged a complete teacher as she passed through all the phases of the teacher education programme. She attended Divisional Teachers’ College, Ado-Ekiti between 1983 and 1985; and Ondo State College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti between 1986 and 1989 where she obtained a National Certificate in Education (NCE). Her quest for higher education and passion to impact the younger generation prompted her choice of career in Guidance and Counselling, where she obtained Bachelor’s degree, Masters Degree and Ph.D to her credit.
She taught as a classroom teacher at Alamo Grammar School, Ita-Ogbolu between 1992 and 1998 before she joined the services of the College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti on 1st June, 1998 as a Graduate Assistant and rose through the ranks to the position of a Chief Lecturer.
A researcher, a Counselling Psychologist of repute, a prolific writer and erudite scholar, Dr Ibitola Makinde epitomises humility and doggedness. She has contributed immensely to knowledge through her publications. She has to her credit, over thirty-five (35) publications in reputable journals and books of reading both within and outside the shores of Nigeria.
She served the defunct College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti in many capacities such as Deputy Director of Degree Programmes, Acting Director of Programme Linkages, Head of Department, Principal of Demonstration Secondary School, Chairperson of Association of Women in Colleges of Education, Ikere Chapter and Dean, School of Education to mention a few. She was appointed the first female Deputy Provost of the College on February 4, 2020, a position she held until the College translated to a University on October 16, 2020.
Following the upgrade of the College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti to Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti, she became the pioneer Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University.