Prof. Abayomi S. Fasina

Prof Abayomi S. Fasina is a Nigerian Professor of Pedology. He was born in Lagos on 17^th July, 1961 and had his Secondary School Education at Eko Boys High School, Lagos, from 1973 - 1978. Prof Abayomi S. Fasina proceeded to Federal School of Arts and Science, Victoria Island, Lagos where he obtained H.S.C. (B.B.D) in the year 1980. He attended the University of Ibadan from 1980 - 1984 where he bagged a B.Sc Agric. (Hons), 2^nd Class Upper. In 1986, at the University of Ibadan, he was awarded M.Sc Agronomy (Soil Survey and Land Evaluation), and in 1998, he obtained his PhD in Pedology (Land Use, Soil Survey and Land Evaluation) also at University of Ibadan.

An astute academic, Prof Abayomi S Fasina joined the services of the University of Ado-Ekiti (now Ekiti State University) in 2001 rose through the ranks from the position of Senior Lecturer (2001- 2004), Associate Professor (2004-2007) to full Professor in the year 2007. He served as the Director, International Linkages and Advancement, Ekiti State University and was the Head of the Department of Soil Science on various occasions totaling 13 years in all. Prof Abayomi S. Fasina was the Dean, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Ekiti State University (2004-2006; 2009-2014) and was the Chairman, Association of Deans of Agriculture of all Nigerian Universities (2012-2015). He served meritoriously in the University Governing Council and as Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Federal University Oye-Ekiti (2017-2021). He served as the Chairman, Governing  Council Security Committee  (2016 - date); Member, Appointment and Promotions Committee of FUOYE (2016 -2021); Chairman, Committee on the Establishment of Faculty of Law (2018); Chairman, Committee on the Establishment of Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences  (2020); Chairman, Committee on the Establishment of College of Medicine and Health Sciences; Chairman, Committee on the Establishment of Faculty of Environmental Sciences of FUOYE (2020); Chairman, University Scopus Committee (2020); Member staff Disciplinary Committee of FUOYE (2019 - 2021); Chairman, COVID-19 University Committee (2020); Chairman Ceremonial's Committee of FUOYE  (2016 - 2021); Chairman, University TETFund Committee on Training (2017 - till date); Chairman, Admissions Committee  (2017 - 2020); Chairman University Accreditation Committee (2017 - Date); Chairman, FUOYE SERVICOM Advocator (2017 - Date); Chairman, University Promotions Committee  (2019 - Date ); Chairman, Committee  on Top up for the University (2018 - Date); Member, Committee on the Establishment of Microfinance Bank for FUOYE (2018 - 2021); Chairman, University Research Committee  (2017 - 2019); Head of Ikole Campus (2017 - 2021); and Chairman, A&PC Federal University Oye-Ekiti.

Special assignments by Prof Abayomi S. Fasina at both International and National levels include Member, Global Soil Partnership for Africa (2018), Project Coordinator/Counterpart for International Atomic Energy Agency for Small - Scale irrigation project in Nigeria (RAF 5/058, RAF 5/071 and RAF 5/079; Director/Facilitator of an International training course on AquaCrop Sponsored by IAEA for the training of Scientists (2019); Member, Steering African Soil Information System (AFSIS), Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Abuja (2016); Member, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (2012-2015); Chairman, Association of Deans of Agriculture of all Nigerian Universities (2012-2015); Member, NUC Accreditation Team to Some Nigeria Universities (2017 - Date); Member, Soil classification correlation committee of Nigeria Soil Science Society charge with the mandate to produce Soil map of Nigeria; and Member, NBTE Accreditation Team to Polytechnic and College of Agriculture in  Nigeria  (1989 - 2000).

A prolific researcher with over 140 publications, Prof Abayomi S. Fasina has won many distinctions and awards including the State of Israel, Mashav Scholarship 2002 at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Huiji, Rehoboth; Southwest Nigeria Education Awards (SNEA), University of Ibadan; Outstanding administrator and scholar by Faculty of Agricultural Sciences 2014/2015 Graduating Set, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti; Merit award as best ambassador of Ogun State for outstanding performance and great achievement career in the year 2013; Certificate of Honour as Life Fellow of the Association of Agricultural Students of Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu Chapter in 1997; Award of Excellence in recognition of immense contribution to the development of Grace Covenant Centre Men of valour Fellowship President (2007-2008); The Agronomy Club, University of Ibadan Merit Award in 20011; Award of Excellence, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, EKSU (2012/2013); Award of Excellence by the National Association of Agricultural Students (NAAS), Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti (2013); ENACTUS award in appreciation of Selfless effort and Contribution towards the successful hosting of the 2015 Annual Enactus Nigeria leadership Conference; Ethical Conduct/Leadership Compliance Certificate by Centre for Ethics and Self Value orientation, Lokoja, Kogi State, etc.

Prof Abayomi S. Fasina was awarded a postgraduate certificate training course on sustainable horticultural production under climatic constraints at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel in 2020. Other certificates awarded to Prof Abayomi S. Fasina includes but not limited to; Certificate in data processing awarded by Classic Systems Infotech Ltd. in affiliation to Computer Resource Centre, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria; Certificate of participation on conference on engaging learners in public tertiary institutions from developing countries at SP Jain Scholl of Global Management, Dubai, UAE (2020); Certificate of participation in a capacity building workshop on effective research administration organised and sponsored by TETFund in Dubai, UAE, (2019); Participation  as a consultant at Nigeria Strategy Support Programme (NSSP) workshop on Irrigation and Agricultural mechanization at Bayero University, Kano (2011);  Certificate of training workshop on extension methods funded by the European Commission indicative aid programme, organised by the Centre for Rural Development and Training at the University of Wolverhampton in Collaboration with Lagos State Polytechnic (1999); Certificate of participation on building and leading strategic resilient Institutions of Higher Learning in a disrupted world at Hilton Garden Inn, Calgary Airport, Canada 2023, etc.

Prof Abayomi S Fasina is also a respected winner of several research grants including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA/FAO) Research Grant on Wetland Rice Project (40,000 EUROS); Research/Project Coordinator on Small Scale Irrigation Technical Cooperation Project Funded by International Atomic Energy Agency (Project worth $400,000); International fund attraction/Technical Cooperation   for Social intervention for the Internally Displaced People (IDP) in Nigeria; TETfund Research Project [RP] intervention; IAEA/IDP/Research Technical Project; and Detailed Soil Survey of 219,580 hectares in Ijebu East Local Government, Nigeria for Cassava value chain 2013. Prof Abayomi S Fasina has attracted equipment worth ?68,987,987.84k into the University for students and staff training.

He is a Member, Soil Science Society of Nigeria (SSSN), All African Soil Science Society (AASSS), Agricultural Society of Nigeria (ASN), Horticultural Society of Nigeria (Hortson), International Union of Soil Science (IUSS), Nigeria Institute of Soil Science, and Gideons International in Nigeria. Prof Abayomi S Fasina is a Fellow of the Soil Science society of Nigeria (FSSSN).

Prof Abayomi S. Fasina has graduated 6 PhDs and 3 MSc, while still supervising more MSc and PhD students. He has enjoyed various training and collaborative program in Israel, Canada, United States of America, Austria, Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali, Uganda, Estonia, Brazil,  Mauritius, Tanzania, Port Novo, Egypt, Morocco, United Kingdom, South Korea, Senegal, Algeria, Sudan , Botswana, Ivory Coast, and United Arab Emirate (UAE).

He is happily married to Dr Mrs Bosede Oluwayemisi Fasina and blessed with children.

Professor Abiodun Akeem Ajiboye

Prof Abiodun Akeem AJIBOYE is the current Dean of the faculty of science, Federal University Oye Ekiti. He holds B.Sc, MSc and Ph.D degrees in Botany with specialization in plant physiology of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State. He was the Head of Department of the Plant Science and Biotechnology, Federal University Oye Ekiti in the year 2014-2019. He was also the pioneer Director of the Institute of part- time studies, Federal University Oye Ekiti in the year 2021.

He was the pioneer Deputy Dean of the school of Post graduate studies of the same institution. He was also a pioneer staff of the Osun state University, Osogbo, Osun state, where he rose through the ranks to become a Senior Lecturer in the year 2012. He later transferred his active services to the Federal University Oye Ekiti, Ekiti State in the year 2014 as a Senior Lecturer. He was promoted to the rank of a full Professor in the year 2020 at the Federal University Oye Ekiti. He has won numerous grants and  has published widely in both local and international Journals

Dr. Simphiwe Maurice Nelana

Dr Simphiwe Maurice Nelana has been acting as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation, Commercialization and Internationalization at Vaal University of Technology (VUT) since September 2022. From October 2023 to February 2024, he acted as the Interim Vice-Chancellor and Principal at VUT. Prior to that he served as the Executive Director for Technology Transfer and Innovation and Director for Research and Postgraduate Studies at VUT.

He joined VUT as the Chemistry Lecturer in 2008 and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2009. At VUT he played the role of Faculty Research Chairperson and Postgraduate Administrator. In 2013, he joined Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) as the Head of Research in the Faculty of Applied Sciences. In 2016 he was recalled by VUT to take up the position of Director of Research and Postgraduate Studies.

Dr Nelana holds a PhD in Chemistry from University of Johannesburg. He is a chemist by training and has published widely in this field. He has also supervised Masters students and BTech students. His recent research interests include the use of nanotechnology in environmental science. He is passionate about academic administration and research and innovation management in general. He is married with three children.

Prof. Jimoh Oladejo Tijani

Prof. Tijani obtained his first degree in Chemistry/Polymer Science from Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria with first class honor in (2006), first of its kind in history of the university. This academic excellence earned him an academic appointment (Assistant-Lecturer) as a full-time staff in 2007. He obtained M.Tech (Analytical Chemistry), from Federal University of Technology, Minna with distinctions in 2011. With the aid of Tertiary Education Trust (TETFund) Fund scholarship in 2013.

He obtained his Ph.D. degree in Chemistry from the University of the Western Cape, South Africa in April 2016. He is a leading and well-established expert in chemistry, with a focus on material science including nanotechnology, catalysis, beneficiation of industrial wastes, and a further focus on environmental remediation and water treatment.  Since 2016, Prof. Tijani has independently developed the Environmental and Nano Sciences research group, in the Department of Chemistry at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria.

He is a Principal Investigator of many completed and ongoing industrial and agency research projects. He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed journals for which 80 are Scopus ISI cited journals with more than 5500 citations and h-index of 36. He is a seasoned scholar and has carried out several academic and administrative works including supervising and co-supervising several Masters and PhD students. In 2020, he emerged as the overall winner of Prof. Kayode Adebowale National Young Scientists Prize in Chemical Sciences in Nigeria; Vice Chancellor's Certificate of Excellence and Recognition for Publication in Q1 Journal 2023; Vice Chancellor's Certificate of Excellence and Exceptional Achievement for Winning TETFund National Research Grant Twice (2020, 2021).

He has also attracted different academic grants as Principal Investigator including TETFUND National Research Grant 2020 (N 27,089,890.00) and 2022 (N17,000,000), TETFund Institutional Based research grant 2017-2019 (N2,000,000.00 Each), Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Abuja (N5,000,000.00), National Agency For Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI)  Research Grant (N3,000,000.00). He is a season scholar with h-index 34, i10-index 76, citations 5254.

Professor Jimoh Oladejo Tijani  is currently the Deputy Director Innovation and Development and the Coordinator of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria.