PROFESSOR ADEYINKA ADENRELE ADESIYUN
PROFILE OF PROFESSOR ADEYINKA ADENRELE ADESIYUN
Professor Adeyinka Adenrele Adesiyun was born on 28th January, 1949 in Lagos, Nigeria to the family of late Hon. Justice James Moradeyo Adesiyun of Olomi Compound, Offa and Chief (Mrs) Felicia Adeola Adesiyun (nee Olafimihan) of Esikin Compound, Offa. He is the first of seven (7) children (5 boys and 2 girls).
He had his Nursery and Primary Education at the Yaba Model School, Yaba, Lagos; Iyeru-Okin African Church School, Offa and St. Mark’s Anglican School, Offa, Kwara State between 1953 and 1960. His Secondary Education was at Offa Grammar School, Offa (1961–1965) and Higher School Education at the Federal Government College, Warri and King’s College, Lagos (1966–1967). He was among the first set of students admitted into Federal Government College, Warri for Higher School Certificate Course in February, 1966.
He attended the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1968 – 1971 and Imperial College, University of London in 1971 – 1972 and 1974 – 1977 where he obtained the B.Sc. (Agriculture) degree in 1971; M.Sc. degree in 1972 and Ph.D degree in 1977. As an undergraduate at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, he was top of his class and collected prizes for the best final year student in the Faculty of Agriculture in 1971.
He had a brief teaching experience of about 8 months at his alma mater, Offa Grammar School, Offa from January to September, 1968 after his Higher School Certificate Education before entering the University for his undergraduate training. His real working career started at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in July, 1971 when he took up appointment as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Crop Protection. He rose through the ranks there (Graduate Assistant, 1971 -1972; Assistant Lecturer, 1972 – 1974; Lecturer II, 1974 – 1977; Lecturer I, 1977 – 1979; Senior Lecturer, 1979 – 1982) to become a Reader in 1982. He left ABU, Zaria for the University of Ilorin in September 1983 as a Reader and one of the pioneering staff of the Faculty of Agriculture. He became a Professor in 1985 at the age of 36 years!
Professor Adesiyun has held several important academic, administrative and management positions in Universities and Governments. He was the pioneer Head of Department of Crop Production at the University of Ilorin from 1984 - 1991; Dean of the Postgraduate School, 1995–1999; Chairman, University Research Grants Committee, 1988–1991 and 1993 – 1997; Member University of Ilorin Governing Council, 1995–1999. He was the Managing Director, Kwara Agricultural Development Project (KWADP) from January, 2005 to June, 2007 and President of the Entomological Society of Nigeria between 2004 and 2008. He is one of the Trustees of the Entomological Society of Nigeria since 2001 and also a Fellow of the Society since 2002. He is one of the Proprietors of Adeola Nursery and Primary School, Offa and Adeola College, Offa. He is also the Chairman of the Governing Board of Adeola Schools.
As Chairman of the Research Grants Committee of the University in 1988 – 1991 and 1993 – 1997, he demonstrated the purest form of integrity in the manner in which he disbursed the large sums of money (millions of Naira) put in his care. The fact that he was re-appointed the Chairman of the Research Grants Committee on his return from sabbatical leave in 1993 by another Vice-Chancellor attest to his capability and integrity. Professor Adesiyun brought many innovations to the administration of Postgraduate Programmes at the University since becoming Dean of Postgraduate School in 1995. By dint of hardwork he has published all the backlog of the publications of the School.
As the foundation Head of Department of Crop Production, he was actively involved in all aspects of the development of the Department including Curriculum Development at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, Human Resources Development, Programme Co-ordination, Planning, Budgetary matters, Student matters, e.t.c. The first endowed Chair at the University of Ilorin, the International Merchant Bank (IMB) Chair of Agronomy was attracted to the Department during his tenure as the Head of Department. Also, the Department of Crop Protection was the only one out of the four departments in the Faculty of Agriculture to get full accreditation in 1990/91.
As the Dean of Postgraduate School, he was the Chief Administrative and Academic Head of the Postgraduate School and the Chairman of the Board of the Postgraduate School. As Dean, he belonged to the Committee of Deans which advises the Vice-Chancellor and Senate on all matters referred to it. He also attended the Vice-Chancellor’s In-House meetings when invited. The Dean of the Postgraduate School in conjunction with the Board of Postgraduate School of which he was the Chairman, co-ordinated all Postgraduate Programmes in the University.
During his tenure as Dean of the Postgraduate School, many new academic programmes were introduced, all outstanding materials (e.g. Postgraduate Academic Programme) were published, results were promptly processed to Senate; devices such as pegging the number of students per supervisor were introduced to ensure that students receive better attention and complete their programmes on schedule; admission requirements into Ph.D. programmes were revised upwards with a view to improving standards and the position of Sub-Dean for the Postgraduate School was introduced. Also, remuneration for Internal Examiners at Ph.D. examinations was introduced during his tenure.
He was invited by the Kwara State Government in January, 2005 to Head and restore life to the then ailing Kwara Agricultural Development Project (KWADP), Ilorin. KWADP is the implementation agency of the Ministry of Agriculture and National Resources. He was the Managing Director of that Agency for 2½ years (January, 2005 to June, 2007) during which time he brought the necessary positive changes to the place. Farmer’s productivity in major crops e.g. rice was increased from less than 1 metric ton/hectare to 2.5 metric tons/hectare through aggressive extension services offered by KWADP; all internally funded and externally funded projects were prudently managed and new projects attracted to the State. He was instrumental to attracting a new project funded by the African Development Bank to the State in 2006. The project was on Community Development and the Project Cost is over N300m.
Professor Adesiyun is an honest and diligent worker; a good manager of human and material resources and a good team player. He is widely travelled and has held several visiting positions in Universities as Visiting Professor and Visiting Scientist in Research Institutes within and outside the country. Some of the countries visited are: United Kingdom (Europe); Israel (Middle East); Kenya, Tanzania, Egypt and South Africa (Africa); United States of America (North America); India and China (Asia).
He married Foluke Olaitan Adesiyun (nee Akinwunmi of Abeokuta, Ogun State) on December 29, 1979 at the age of 30+. The marriage is blessed with three (3) children and three (3) grandchildren.
The children are:
demilola Oluseun Adesiyun (son) bon on 20th September, 1980;
Adedunni Bowofade Adesiyun (daughter) born on 19th December, 1982;
Adetola Faramade Oshe (daughter) born on 19th August, 1985.
His home church is Iyeru Okin African Church, Offa where he is the Secretary of the Christian League of the Church. He has represented the society on the Church Council in the past. He joined the UMCATC in 1984 and transferred his membership to the UMCA Chapel, Tanke in 1993 as one of the foundation members. He is currently the Vice-President of the Men’s Fellowship of the UMCA Chapel, Tanke