Ayoade Folashade Arike (born 27th August 1965) is the Secretary to the Government of Kogi State. Since 2016, she is the 5th sitting Secretary of Kogi State since the creation of the State and also she has shattered the glass ceiling by becoming the first political leader who served twice as SSG to the Kogi State Government.

Ayoade Folashade holds a degree in biochemistry from the University of Ilorin, a Master of Biochemistry from the University of Lagos and a Doctorate in Biochemistry from University of Ilorin.

She is widely traveled and has attended several professional courses, and accumulated a wealth of experience throughout her career across Africa, Europe, Asia. She has also earned numerous awards and certificates of service, including several publications credited to her.

She started her career as a Scientific Officer at the Federal Ministry of Health, Food and Drug Division from 1990-1994. Subsequently, she later joined the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) IN 1994, where she rose to become a Regulatory Officer (Deputy Director) before resigning February 2016.

Her giant and notable strides in her career experience distinguished her and resulted to her being called back home (Kogi State) for service by His Excellency Governor Yahaya Bello. In 2016, she was appointed by Governor Yahaya Bello as the Secretary to the Government of Kogi State.

Dr. Ayoade Folashade is well renowned for her strong character, integrity, charisma, authentic and emphatic leadership skills, communication style and people management skills that has influenced her tremendous success.

She is happily married and blessed with children. She loves reading and networking.