Dr. Hakeem Harunah was born on the 16^th of June, 1956 at Auchi to Princess Abiba Tseke Momoh (born in 1939, as the 194^th child of Momoh the First) and Mallam Inusa Harunah of Ughuye, Afhekpe village, Auchi. His father worked at Auchi Water Authority, popularly called Waterboard.

He was educated at Akpekpe Model Primary School, Auchi, Ansar-ud-deen Grammar School, Agbede, Adeola Odutola Comprehensive High School, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state. He was awarded the Bachelor Degree in Education, University of Benin, Benin City, in 1979 and later bagged Master’s of Arts Degree and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) both from University of Lagos in 1983 and 1990 respectively.

His working career stated as a Graduate Assistant, Department of History, University of Lagos in 1982. He rose through the ranks and became a Senior Lecturer on 1^st October 1991 and was elevated to the enviable position of Associate Professor of History in 2003.

As a mark of his professional competence, he was elevated to several positions within the University community as Acting Head of Department of History, University of Lagos in January 1992 and again held this same position briefly from March to December 1996.

Dr. Harunah who was a renown historian has many journals, publications, research work to his name, he attended several conferences all over the world and contributed enormously to literary and scholarly work amongst which are: THE EARLY HISTORY OF ETSAKO, published in 1991. This study discusses various traditions of origin of ETSAKO and the nature of settlement patterns developed by the people from 14^th to 19^th centuries. “A HISTORY OF THE INDIGENOUS RELIGION OF THE ETSAKO: a case study in Religious Crises and Resolution”, “THE ORIGINS AND DEVELOPMENT OF ETSAKO MONARCHIES: a case study of the Auchi, Agbede and Uzairue Chieftaincies, c. 1840-1920”, “BENIN-ETSAKO RELATIONS BEFORE THE BRITISH CONQUEST OF 1897AD”, “PAWNSHOP IN PRE-COLONIAL ETSAKO SOCIETY AND CULTURE”, “ORAL TRADITION AND ETSAKO POLITICAL HISTORY  BEFORE NUPE INVASION OF 1860”, “AFRICAN TRADITIONAL POLITICAL THOUGHT AND INSTITUTIONS, LAGOS”. This last essay discusses the indigenous political institutions of the Etsako and the role of the Nupe invasion of 1860 in the emergence and islamization of these institutions.

He received a number of awards and was a member of many professional associations among which are; Member, Historical Society of Nigeria (founding Member of Lagos Area), Nigerian Association of Oral History and Tradition, to mention a few. Dr. Hakeem Harunah was an avid contributor to the electronic and print media on national and international affairs and a consultant for no fewer than a dozen of them.

He served the nation on the National Youth Service Corps Scheme in 1979-80, a Member of 1979 Azebeogie Age Group of Auchi and was a Member, Otaru of Auchi Advisory Committee (OAC), during the reign of HRH Otaru Aliru Highbred Momoh, Ikelebe III.

Dr. Hakeem Harunah died unfortunately on the 2^nd of August, 2004 at the age of 48. He is recognized for is contributions in documenting historical facts of Auchi and Etsako land, his service to the academic community and the nation.