Akinleye began his career as an assistant professor in the Department of Communications at
Bowie State University from 1986 to 1989. Prior to coming to NCCU, he held positions at
Bethune-Cookman University,
Edward Waters College, and the
University of North Carolina Wilmington. Akinleye joined NCCU in 2014 as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. He served as acting chancellor of NCCU from August to December 2016, and as interim chancellor from December 2016 to June 2017, when he received a permanent appointment following the death of
Debra Saunders-White. Dr. Akinleye is often noted for his leadership and developing his university into a high performing HBCU. He was a featured speaker on PBS. Dr. Johnson O. Akinleye was appointed to the NCAA Division I Presidential Forum. ==Personal life==