Dr. Akolisa (Ako) Ufodike is an Associate Professor appointed to both the School of Administrative Studies and the School of Public Policy and Administration at York University.
His research interests include accountability, actor networks, common pool resources, public sector finance, and public-private partnerships. He serves as an ad hoc reviewer for several academic journals, including the Journal of Business Ethics, Accounting Perspectives, Gender and Management, Chinese Management Journal, and Sustainability. His research has been presented at prominent conferences where he has also served as a reviewer or discussant.
Dr. Ufodike is a CPA case examiner and brand ambassador. Before entering academia, he spent 25 years as a finance executive, with professional experience across industries including telecommunications, banking, oil and gas, utilities, and consumer packaged goods. He held leadership roles at organizations such as Bell Canada and Molson Coors. Notably, he was the co-founder and CFO of Jaguar Wireless, a participant in the 2007 Canadian wireless spectrum auction, and later served as CFO and COO of Corridor Communications Inc. (CCI Wireless), one of Canada’s largest wireless ISPs.
A graduate of the Haskayne School of Business PhD program and Cornell University’s MBA program, Dr. Ufodike is a Canadian FCPA, a U.S. CPA, a UK FCCA, a Certified Fraud Examiner, and a Certified Director (ICD.D) through the Institute of Corporate Directors.
He is the founder of the John Ware Institute—an organization that has placed more Black Canadians on paid boards than any other in the country. His public service includes roles on the Provincial Audit Committee for Alberta, the Board of the Canada-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce, and the Senate of the University of Calgary. He also served on the board of several listed companies where he chaired the Audit Committee, and on the boards of several charities, including the Black Business and Professional Association and Scouts Canada’s Chinook Council.
In 2022, Dr. Ufodike made history as the first Black Canadian appointed as a Deputy Minister in the history of Alberta. During his tenure, he led two ministries: Trade, followed by Immigration and Multiculturalism. In recognition of his public service and scholarly contributions, he has received several prestigious honors, including the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC) Established Leader Award, and the King Charles III Coronation Medal.