Michael Olutayo Olatunji was born in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria. He began his professional music career in 1983 with the Nigerian Navy Band, rising to the rank of Warrant Officer (WOBD) before disengaging. During his service years, he was an Instructor at the Nigerian Navy School of Music and Lead Vocalist of its Dance Band.

He obtained his B.A. in Music (Performance, First Class Honours) in 1993, M.A. in Music (Composition) in 1998, and Ph.D. in Music in 2006 from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. His research interests span Military Music, Music Performance, Composition, and Popular Music.

Professor Olatunji has served Obafemi Awolowo University in various leadership roles, including Acting Head, Department of Music (2010–2013), Chairman, Faculty Postgraduate Committee (2014–2015), Vice Dean, Faculty of Arts (2015–2017), and Head of Department of Music (2018–2023; 2024–2025). He is a member of the Association of Nigerian Musicologists (ANIM), Society of Music Educators of Nigeria (SOMEN), and other professional bodies. His distinctions include induction as Member, Nigerian Academy of Letters (MNAL) and conferment of Fellow, Association of Nigerian Musicologists (FANIM).

Beyond academia, Professor Olatunji has an extensive record of church music service, having held positions as Organist and Choirmaster in notable churches including Wesley Church, Ikoyi; Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, Ikeja; and St. Paul’s African Church, Ilupeju. He is currently the Music Director at All Souls’ Chapel, OAU, Ile-Ife.

His compositions and arrangements include Moremi (Military Band, premiered at the National Theatre, Lagos, 1991), A Fogo Folorun, Celebration and Glory, Ebun Meta, Jesus is Lord, and A Merry Heart to Her is Medicine. He arranged the Obafemi Awolowo University Anthem (Great Ife) in 2005 and co-produced its recording in the album Celebrations. In 2019, he composed the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T) Anthem (IAR&T Ibadan) for the Institute’s 50th Anniversary.

Professor Michael Olutayo Olatunji is married and blessed with children.