He earned his B.Sc. (Honours) in Microbiology at Ambrose Alli University in Ekpoma, Nigeria (1984 - 1988) and proceeded to the University of Ibadan (1990 - 1994) where he obtained his Ph.D., winning the Best Doctoral Dissertation Award in Environmental Microbiology.
From his work in groundwater remediation in Nigeria, Ayade invented a sewage treatment plant powered by solar energy.