Dr Safiya Okai-Ugbaje

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ANU College of Systems and Society

Synopsis

Dr Safiya Okai-Ugbaje is a passionate educator who believes learning should be motivating, enjoyable, and deeply valuable. Her teaching philosophy is grounded in Flow: the theory of optimal experience, which emphasises sustained engagement through meaningful challenge.

Safiya has taught across diverse contexts—universities in Nigeria and Australia, as well as professional education for industry leaders, including senior executives. These experiences have revealed a common truth: regardless of circumstance or economic background, learners share the desire to enjoy the learning process and to see clear value and applicability in the knowledge they acquire.

Safiya’s teaching career is driven by the goal of making this possible for as many learners as she can. She achieves this through clear articulation of objectives and concepts, and by designing engaging exercises and assessments that sustain motivation by keeping learners appropriately challenged. Her conscious integration of these principles—adapted to each unique context—has been the foundation of consistently positive student experiences and her success as an educator.

(Photo by Tangyao Zhang)