Prof. Adebola Babatunde Ekanola studied Philosophy at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife between 1987 and 1991, and earned a B.A (Hons.) degree (First-Class Division) as the best student in his department. He also earned an M.A. degree in Philosophy, top of his class, and a Ph.D degree in Philosophy from the University of Ibadan. He rose through the ranks to become a professor in 2010 as a high-flyer. He specialises in Ethics and Social and Political Philosophy with emphasis on issues relating to peace and social development in Africa

Prof. Ekanola has occupied several administrative positions at the University of Ibadan, including Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic); and Acting Vice Chancellor. He facilitated several international collaborations across all the continents on behalf of the University of Ibadan. These include the 3.1 million Euros DAAD-funded employability research and training project. He was a visiting scholar at the John and Elnora Fergusson Centre for African Studies, University of Bradford, Bradford, United Kingdom in 2010 and several universities in Nigeria at different times, including the National Universities Commission.

He was Residency Director for the African Humanities Programme in the University of Ibadan and an adjunct researcher at the Research Centre for China-Africa Education cooperation, Institute of African Studies, Zhejiang Normal University, China. He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters and the Society for Peace Studies and Practice. He is also a Member of the National Institute.