Adaora Onaga

Accomplished leader with a strategic vision and expertise in curriculum design and ethical leadership. Successfully led initiatives that enhanced community engagement and improved cross-cultural project management. Recognised for increasing student leadership participation by 30% through effective teamwork and adaptability. Combines clinical expertise with philosophical scholarship and executive management training to promote organisational excellence.

• Director/Sub-director, Imoran Centre for Social and Cultural Development, 01/01/02 - 12/31/11
• Co-Founder & Director, YEAST (Youths Empowering Active Societal Transformation), 01/01/10 - present
• Chief Resident Director, UCH, Ibadan, 01/01/09 - 12/31/11
• Board Secretary, Annals of Ibadan Postgraduate Medicine, 01/01/07 - 12/31/09
• Secretary, Elara Study Centre, 01/01/16 - 12/31/17
• Sub-Director, Rocca Romana Centre for Activities, 01/01/18 - 12/31/20
• Director, Institute of Humanities (IOH), 01/01/22 - present
• Member, University Management Council, 01/01/22 - present
• Director, Asterhall Extra-Curricular Centre, Pan-Atlantic University, 01/01/21 - present

• Project Lead, $96,286.00, grant from the Education Collaborative on Training African Student Leaders in Ethical Leadership, 01/01/25 - 12/31/25
• Project Lead, $5,000.00, grant for training teachers in a local community in Nigeria, on Ethical Leadership to Act against Academic Cheating, 02/01/24 - 02/01/25
• Co-Principal Investigator, grant award from the Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) to research the effectiveness of anti-corruption training in Nigeria, 12/01/21 - 11/30/22

• Ethical Leadership Specialization, Notre Dame University (online, Coursera), 05/01/22 - present
• Leadership for Leaders of Social Enterprises, Annual
• Giving Voice to Values Africa (Train the Trainers), 06/01/24 - 10/31/24
• Senior Management Program, Lagos Business School, 03/01/24 - 07/31/24
• Humanistic Leadership Academy, 04/01/23
• Case Teaching by the Case Center, 01/17/23 - 01/20/23
• Advancing Research Capacity of Early Career Academics, 01/01/22

• Regional Advisory Council (Africa) for the Case Centre, 2024 - present
• Nigerian Chapter Lead, Humanistic Management Network, 2021 - present
• Board of Directors, Humanistic Management Network, 2022 - 2025
• Fellow of the International Humanistic Management Association, 2024/2025
• Business Ethics Africa Network (BEN-Africa), 2023 - present
• Nigerian Medical Association, 2000 - present
• National Association of Nephrologists, 2006 - present
• Africa Bioethics Network, 2023 - present
• Asia Pacific Bioethics Education Network, 2023 - present
• Lagos Business School, Alumni, 2024 - present

• African Leadership Ethics Research Network- Writing Development Grant
• Case Teaching Scholarship from the Case Center, 10/01/22 - 06/30/23
• Dr A.F.B Mabadeje Prize for the best Part II candidate in the National Medical College Examinations (Renal medicine), 05/01/11
• Dr O.O Elegbeleye Prize for best Part 1 candidate in the National Medical College Examinations, 05/01/08
• Mobil Scholarship for deserving University Students, 01/01/95 - 12/31/99

i. Dissertations

· Confronting Human Pain- A Philosophical and Biological Study, PhD thesis, Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Rome, Italy. October 2020.

· The Phenomenology of Illness- Licentiate thesis, Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Rome, Italy. June 2016.

· Assessment of Tubular and Glomerular Functions in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Essential Hypertension submitted for the award of the fellowship of the National Postgraduate Medical College. June 2011.

· Dialysis-related Hypotension – Influencing Factors at the University College Hospital, Dialysis Centre submitted for the award of the fellowship of the West African College of Physicians. Oct 2010.

ii. Books

• O Ogunyemi, A Onaga (eds), (2026), Personal and Professional Skills for the 21st Century and Beyond, Pan-Atlantic University Press (Accepted for Publication).
• C Kezie, A Onaga, J Elegido (eds), (2025), Natural Law and Human Dignity- A Multidisciplinary Perspective, Pan-Atlantic University Press.
• Kemi Ogunyemi, Adaora I Onaga (eds), (2022), Responsible Management of Shifts in Work Modes- Values for a Post Pandemic Future, Emerald publishing, UK, Vol 1 https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80262-719-020221002
• Kemi Ogunyemi, Adaora I Onaga (eds), (2022), Responsible Management of Shifts in Work Modes- Values for Post Pandemic Sustainability, Emerald publishing, UK, Vol 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/9781802627237
• Adaora I Onaga, (2020), Research book, ‘Confronting Human Pain; Interfaces between Biology and Philosophy’, EDUSC, Dissertationes Series Philosophica LVI, 1-45

iii.  Journal articles (peer reviewed)

• Onaga, A. I. (2024). Can Virtue Ethics Help to Address Human Suffering in the Workplace? Humanistic Management Journal, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41463-024-00192-w
• Tolulope Bella Awusa, Adaora I Onaga, (2023). Improving Resilience in Youth during Difficult Times’, International Journal for School Health.
• Onaga, A (2022). ‘Future pain as a present concern’. Estudios de Filosofia, 65, 133-152. https://doi.org/10.17533/udea.ef.345748.
• Adaora Onaga, Omowumi Ogunyemi, (2019), Autobiography and Chronic Pain: Reflections on the Unity of Soul and Body. Forum (Supplement to Acta Philosophica), vol 5/1 233-249.

iv.  Book Chapters

• Onaga A (2026), Self-Knowledge and Healthy Self-Esteem, Chapter in O Ogunyemi, A Onaga (eds), (2026), Personal and Professional Skills for the 21st Century and Beyond, Pan-Atlantic University Press (Accepted for Publication)
• Onaga A (2026), Personal Health, Chapter in O Ogunyemi, A Onaga (eds), (2026), Personal and Professional Skills for the 21st Century and Beyond, Pan-Atlantic University Press (Accepted for Publication).
• Berge, S, Onaga A, Nwani S, (2025), Sustainable Healthcare and Eldercare Provision through Cooperatives: Challenges and Opportunities Chapter in Global Cooperative Economics & Movements, Coop Companions.
• Onaga Adaora, Akande Sarah, (2025), Reevaluating AI Code of Conduct Principles in Healthcare through the Lens of Dignitas Infinita: A Critical Analysis, Chapter in C Kezie, A Onaga, J Elegido (eds), Natural Law and Human Dignity- A Multidisciplinary Perspective, Pan-Atlantic University Press.
• Onaga Adaora, (2024), Ethics and Sustainability at the Base of the Pyramid (BoP), Book Chapter in the Book ‘Unlocking Opportunities at the BoP Market in Sub-Saharan Africa: Competing successfully at the Base of the Pyramid, Cambridge Scholars Publishing.

· Onaga, A.I. (2022). Celebrations and the Cultural Aspects of Hospitality. In: Ogunyemi, K., Okoye, E., Ogunyemi, O. (eds) Humanistic Perspectives in Hospitality and Tourism, Volume II. Humanism in Business Series. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-95585-4_4

· Deepika Faugoo, Adaora I Onaga, (2022) Establishing a Resilient Economically Prosperous and Inclusive World by Overcoming the Gender Digital Divide in the New Normal, in Kemi Ogunyemi & Adaora I. Onaga (eds.), Responsible Management of Shifts in Work Modes- Values for a Post Pandemic Future, Emerald Publishing, Volume 1, UK. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80262-719-020221009

· Adaora Onaga, Joy Odimegwu, (2022) Sustainable Traditional African Health Systems and Responsible Health Education, Kemi Ogunyemi & Omowumi Ogunyemi, Amaka Anozie (eds.), Responsible Management in Africa, Emerald Publishing, UK.

· Ogunyemi, K., & Onaga, A. I. (2022). Understanding the Present – Values for Shifts in Work Modes. In Kemi Ogunyemi & Adaora I. Onaga (eds.), Responsible Management of Shifts in Work Modes: Values for a Post-Pandemic Future, Volume 1, Emerald Publishing: UK. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80262-719-020221002

· Onaga, A. I. & Ogunyemi, K. (2022). Directing Future Preparedness for Responsibility- Values for Shifts in Work Modes. In Kemi Ogunyemi & Adaora I. Onaga (eds.), Responsible Management of Shifts in Work Modes: Values for a Post-Pandemic Future, Volume 1, Emerald Publishing: UK.  https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80262-719-020221002

· Ogunyemi, K., & Onaga, A. I. (2022). Responsible Leadership for the New Normal: Ensuring Fairness in Business and Health. In Kemi Ogunyemi & Adaora I. Onaga (eds.), Responsible Management of Shifts in Work Modes: Values for Post-Pandemic Sustainability, Volume 2, Emerald Publishing: UK.  https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80262-723-720221002

• Onaga, A. I. & Ogunyemi, K. (2022). The Business of Health and Healthy Businesses: Principles and Virtues Post Pandemic. In Kemi Ogunyemi & Adaora I. Onaga (eds.), Responsible Management of Shifts in Work Modes: Values for Post-Pandemic Sustainability, Volume 2, Emerald Publishing: UK. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80262-723-720221018

· Omowumi Ogunyemi, Adaora Onaga, (2020), Self- Leadership: Neuroscientific Perspectives in the ‘The Palgrave Handbook of Workplace Well- Being’, Satinder Dhiman (ed), pp 1-21. https://link.springer.com/referencework/10.1007/978-3-030-30025-8

v. Refereed Conference Proceedings

· Onaga A, Personal Ethics, Business Citizenship, and the AU Agenda 2063 at the Business Ethics Network Africa, Conference, ‘Agenda 2063 and a Sustainable Africa: The Role of Ethical Businesses" in Ghana.

· Arije AA, Ekrikpo UE, Nicol J, Asinobi A, Ademola A, Onaga A, Salako BL, Kadiri S, Hoy W. Risk factors for chronic kidney disease in a Nigerian Urban population: Outcome of a screening exercise- at the International Society of Nephrology organized conference on Kidney disease in disadvantaged populations, Hong Kong 4th – 5th June, 2013.

· Arije A., Onaga A.I., Kuti MA, Salako BL., Kadiri S. Emerging pattern of Chronic Renal Disease in Nigeria – preliminary data from a hospital based renal registry. J Clin Nephrol 2010.

Some Conferences attended with Paper Presentations

· Onaga Adaora – Humanistic Education at the Pan-Atltantic University, presented at the International Forum for Confucian Humanistic Leadership in Nottingham University, Ningbo China.

· Panel Discussant, Humanistic Leadership Experiences at the International Forum for Confucian Humanistic Leadership in Nottingham University, Ningbo China.

· Onaga Adaora, Personal Ethics, Business Citizenship, and the AU Agenda 2063 at the Absa BEN-Africa Conference ‘Agenda 2063 and a Sustainable Africa: The Role of Ethical Businesses" in Ghana.

· Onaga Adaora, Akande, Sarah, Reevaluating AI Code of Conduct Principles in Healthcare through the Lens of Dignitas Infinita: A Critical Analysis. Presented at the IOH August Human Dignity Conference, August 2024

· Ogunyemi K, Ogunyemi O, Onaga A, Paper titled ‘Enhancing Anti-Corruption Training Effectiveness: A look at Emotional Drivers of Corrupt Behaviour in Nigeria’ at the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Society for Business Ethics, Chicago, IL. August 8-11, 2024.

· Humanistic Management Network Panel Discussion and Presentation on Ethics and Sustainability at the Bottom of the Pyramid in Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland, 26th November- 2nd December 2023.

· Absa BEN-Africa Conference: Corruption, Ubuntu, and the Opportunity for Change, Presentation of a Paper titled Foundations for Anti-Corrupt Behaviour (ACB): How Families Empower Individuals for Integrity. 1-3 November 2023

· 22nd International Symposium on Ethics, Business, and Society; the role of Ethics in turbulent times: Rationality and Virtues in Decision-making Paper presented Managing suffering in organizations, the role of intelligent virtue at IESE Business School, Barcelona, Spain, June 2023.

· Asia Pacific Bioethics Education Network (APBEN) Congress 2023 on Advancing Healthcare Quality and Safety through Improved Ethics and Professionalism Capacities. Oral Paper presented titled ‘Personal and Professional Values in the Physician’s encounter with Suffering: The Role of Education’- June 2023

· Global Business Ethics Teaching Workshop, Bentley University, Massachusetts, US, June 2022. Paper presented on Ethics teaching experience

· A.I Onaga, O Ogunyemi oral presentation of paper on ‘Autobiography and chronic pain’, a reflection on the unity of body and soul at International conference on 'Human nature, body, and soul’, Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Rome, Italy, July 2019.

· Existential medical humanities conference, Sodertorn university, Sweden- oral paper presentation - ‘Perceptions of pain as a threat to individual and institutional integrity’, October 2019.

Other conferences attended

Purpose of the University, 2025, Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Rome.

· Successful Case Teaching by the Case Center, online, January 17-20, 2023.

· 16th National Conference of Catholic Medical Practitioners of Nigeria. ‘Strategies for Improving Health Worker Status in a Challenging World’. 16th-17th July 2022 (10 CPD units awarded)

· Open Peer Reviewers in Africa Workshop, Africa Bioethics Network, August 2022.

· •Global Business Ethics Teaching Workshop, Bentley University, Massachusetts, US, June 2022. (Paper presented on Ethics teaching experience)

· Advancing Research Capacity of Early Career Academics, Lagos Business School, January 2022.

· Online Grant Writing Course, TEP Learning Academy - Oct 2021.

· Arije AA, Ekrikpo UE, Nicol J, Asinobi A, Ademola A, Onaga A, Salako BL, Kadiri S, Hoy W. Risk factors for chronic kidney disease in a Nigerian Urban population: Outcome of a screening exercise- at the International Society of Nephrology organized conference on Kidney disease in disadvantaged populations, Hong Kong 4th – 5thJune, 2013.

·  A.I Onaga, EE Effa, A Akpan, A Arije, B.L Salako, S Kadiri’ – oral presentation of paper‘Renal transplant in UCH, six months after’. - at the Joint Meeting of African Association of Nephrology (AFRAN) and Nigerian Association of Nephrology (NAN), February, 2010.

· A.I Onaga, A Arije, B.L Salako, S Kadiri’ oral presentation of paper ‘A clinical profile of complications in patients untreated with steroids or cytotoxic agents. February 2010 at the 22ndNigerian Association of Nephrology (NAN) Conference.

· A Akpan, A Onaga, B.L Salako, A Arije, S Kadiri Poster presentation- ‘Post renal transplant polycythaemia.’

· EE Effa, A.I Onaga, A Akpan, B.L Salako, A Arije, Kadiri. Poster presentation at the Meeting of African Association of Nephrology (AFRAN) and Nigerian Association of Nephrology (NAN), February 2009.Intradialysis complications and events at the UCH dialysis center, February 2009.

· A.I Onaga, O Ogunyemi oral presentation of paper on ‘Autobiography and chronic pain’, a reflection on the unity of body and soul at International conference on 'Human nature, body, and soul’, Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Rome, Italy, July 2019.

· Workshop by the pontifical academy for life ‘Accompanying life: New responsibilities in the technological era’, Vatican City, October 5-6 2017.

· International Conference on the Heart of Work: The future of work and its meaning: Christian perspectives 500 years after the reformation. Rome 19-20 October 2017.

· Conference by the pontifical university Lateranensis Camillianum- ‘Pain and suffering’, 30-31 October 2017.

· Workshop by the pontifical academy for life ‘Palliative care everywhere and by everyone’, Rome, February 28 - March 1, 2018.

· V Update course for teachers of philosophy on ‘Art, beauty, and human formation’, Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, 15-17 November 2018.

· XVIII Colloquium of moral theology, ‘Rebuilding the Christian moral subject’, Rome 23-24 November, 2018.

· Workshop on ‘Robo ethics: human, machines, and health’, Pontifical academy for life’, Vatican City February 25-26 2019.

· XVII international national conference of scienza e vita on ‘genetic editing’, Rome 24 May 2019.

· Existential medical humanities conference, Sodertorn university- oral paper presentation - ‘Perceptions of pain as a threat to individual and institutional integrity’, October 2019.

· Workshop on the ‘phenomenology of the body and analysis of pain’, 27 – 28 November 2019.

Some Workshops Attended

• The Education Collaborative, June Convening, Kigali, Rwanda- June 2025
• Core Curriculum Network Meeting at the Instituto Core Curriculum, University of Navarre, Spain. May 30-31st, 2024.

· The Education Collaborative, June Convening, Accra, Ghana, June 2023

· 16thNational Conference of Catholic Medical Practitioners of Nigeria. ‘Strategies for Improving Health Worker Status in a Challenging World’. 16th-17thJuly 2022

· Open Peer Reviewers in Africa Workshop, Africa Bioethics Network, August 2022.

· Online Grant Writing Course, TEP Learning Academy - Oct 2021.

· Workshop on ‘Robo ethics: human, machines, and health’, Pontifical Academy for Life, Vatican City, February 25-26, 2019.

· Workshop on the ‘Phenomenology of the Body and Analysis of Pain’. UIC, Barcelona, Spain27 – 28 November 2019

· Workshop by the Pontifical Academy for Life ‘Accompanying life: New responsibilities in the technological era’, Vatican City, October 5-6, 2017.

· International Workshop on the Heart of Work: The future of work and its meaning: Christian perspectives 500 years after the reformation. Rome 19-20 October 2017.

· Workshop by the Pontifical University Lateranensis Camillianum- ‘Pain and suffering’, 30-31 October 2017.

· Workshop by the Pontifical Academy for Life ‘Palliative care everywhere and by everyone’, Rome, February 28 - March 1st, 2018.

· V Update course for teachers of philosophy on ‘Art, beauty, and human formation’, Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, 15-17 November 2018.

· XVIII Colloquium of moral theology, ‘Rebuilding the Christian moral subject’, Rome 23-24 November 2018.

Other      Professional Service

Editorial work with the Annals of Ibadan Postgraduate Medicine, 2005-2020

· Journal reviewer- Humanistic Management Journal (HMJ), Humanities and Social Sciences Communication (HSSC)

· Student mentor and club faculty advisor

· Community service projects organization for students and ladies

14. Other Publications

· Numbers and Words: Investigating the effectiveness of anti-corruption training in Nigeria- CIPE report. December 2022

· Article in Businessday newspaper ‘Optimizing the search for purpose in personal and business development, May 2022.

· Article in Businessday newspaper ‘Social Anaesthesia is a non-profitable, short-term fix’, October 14, 2021.