Professor Olukoshi holds a first degree from Ahmadu Bello University and a doctorate from Leeds University. He is currently a Distinguished Professor at the Wits School of Governance.
He has previous served as Director of Research at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Research Programme Coordinator at the Nordic Africa Institute, Senior Professional staff at the South Centre, Executive Secretary of the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa, Director of the UN African Institute for Economic Development and Planning, Interim Director of the Africa Governance Institute, and Director for Africa and West Asia at International IDEA.
His research centres on the interface of governance and development, a field on which he has published extensively. Professor Olukoshi is an Honorary Professor at the University of Edinburgh and an Honorary Associate of the Nordic Africa Institute.