Dr. Olaniyan, Modupe Elizabeth was born at Ilawe-Ekiti to the family of late Mr and Mrs Joseph Ojo Adubu about 57 years ago. She attended Holy Trinity Anglican Primary School, then proceeded to United High School, all at Ilawe Ekiti.

In 1981, She proceeded to former Ondo State College of Arts and Science, (OSCAS) Ikare Akoko, where she was elected the Vice-President of the Students’ Union. Popularly known as Lady Alinco, she later became the President of the Students’ Union.

She was admitted into the Nigeria Premier University, University of Ibadan in 1984 where She obtained her first degree in Theatre Arts with Second Class Upper Division in 1987. She had her Masters and Ph.D. degrees in the same Department in 1990 and 2005 respectively.

She started her working career with Oyo State Mass Mobilization Agency (MAMSER) as an Assistant Mobilization Officer. From there she moved to Sketch Press Limited as a Features Writer. She left        Sketch Press Limited as Deputy Features Editor to Third Eye Newspapers as Group Woman Editor. She came to Ekiti State in 2000 and joined the services of Ekiti Now Newspapers as Woman Editor.

She ventured into Academics in 2003 as an Assistant Lecturer with Ekiti State College of Education, Ikere Ekiti, where she served seven consecutive terms as Head of Department of Theatre Arts before moving to the former University of Ado-Ekiti (UNAD) now Ekiti State University (EKSU) in 2010. She is currently the Acting Head of Department of Theatre and Media Arts.

Dr. Olaniyan has received many awards including the “Best Feature Writer of the Year by the Oyo State Union of Journalists. In Academics, she has published over 35 articles in both national and international reputable academic journals. She is blessed with two grown-up children.