By Ayo Arowojolu
Nothing best fits this season for a distinguished scholar and visionary leader with continental impact, Prof. Olusola Bandele Oyewole, former Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta(FUNAAB), like the description in the Holy Scriptures, Ecclesiastes 7: 8- “Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.”
From a little beginning in 1985 when he joined FUNAAB which metamorphosed from the then College of Science and Technology, University of Lagos, Abeokuta Campus(COSTAB), as an Assistant Lecturer, Prof Oyewole’s illustrious career spanning four decades, reflects a rare blend of scholarship, service and leadership that has inspired countless students, academics and institutions.
His solid academic training at the then University of Ife(now Obafemi Awolowo University), where he bagged a B.Sc in Microbiology in 1981, followed by an M.Sc in Food Microbiology in 1984 in the same institution and a P.hD from the University of Ibadan, provided the foundation for groundbreaking contributions to food safety, microbial biotechnology, fermentation science, and African food systems, all of which have exalted him to his present global pedestal.
Prof Oyewole became almost everything in FUNAAB as he rose steadily through the academic ranks from Assistant Lecturer from 1985 to 1987, Lecturer 1(1990 to 1993), Senior Lecturer(1993 to 1997), Associate Professor(1997 to 2001) and Professor of Food Science and Technology in October 2001.
Before climbing to the very zenith as the fifth substantive Vice-Chancellor of FUNAAB in 2012, the Abeokuta-born scholar held several strategic positions that significantly shaped the University’s growth and enriched its academic culture.
His tenure as VC up till May 2017 represented the culmination of faithful service, foresight and institutional transformation, a tenure remembered for visionary reforms in governance, academic excellence, students development and international partnerships.
Reaching the septuagenarian milestone on Tuesday 30th September, 2025, Prof Oyewole’s working career continues at the Association of African Universities headquartered in Accra, Ghana, where provides continental leadership for the transformation and integration of Africa’s higher education systems.
He is currently serving as a member of the Governing Council of the Pan African University (PAU), and Advisory Board Member of Nile University, Egypt. He was a Board Member of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture(IITA), Ibadan (2013 -2016). Between 2013 and 2017, he was Chairman and President of the Governing Board of the AAU, where his leadership helped reposition the Association as a continental voice for universities.
As a researcher, Prof Oyewole has distinguished himself in advancing African food systems. His pioneering work on cassava fermentation and storage earned him three competitive research grants from the International Foundation for Science (IFS), Stockholm, between 1986 and 1996. These studies broke new ground in microbial isolation, starter culture development, and innovative packaging systems. He later led multi-partnership projects, including the UK Department for International Development (DFID) Crop Post-Harvest Programme (CPHP) and the EU-funded CASSAVA-SMEs Project (2003–2006), which promoted agro-industrial innovation and rural livelihoods.
His expertise and thought leadership have earned him more than 100 prestigious travel grants, enabling him to serve as keynote speaker, resource person, and participant at global conferences on leadership, higher education, and quality assurance. Sponsored by organizations such as the World Bank, European Union, African Union Commission, UNESCO, ADEA, and several national governments, these engagements expanded his influence on both science and higher education policy globally.
As a mentor, Professor Oyewole has supervised over 200 undergraduate projects, nine Master’s theses, and six doctoral dissertations, nurturing a new generation of scientists, innovators, and leaders. His legacy is visible in the lives and careers of those he has guided.
A man of faith, Prof Oyewole integrates spirituality with scholarship. His Christian convictions underpin his leadership philosophy of humility, integrity, and service. A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, he acknowledges his family as his greatest source of strength and joy.
Throughout his illustrious career, he has received numerous awards and recognitions for academic excellence, leadership integrity, and service to higher education in Africa. He is a fellow of several professional and scientific bodies and remains a trusted voice in educational policy and reform.
His enduring vision is for African universities to rise as engines of social progress, economic growth, and continental renewal. He tirelessly advocates for curriculum innovation, digital learning ecosystems, enhanced university autonomy, and productive linkages between academia, government, and industry.
In every sphere of engagement—academic, administrative, continental, and spiritual—Professor Olusola Bandele Oyewole stands as a towering figure, a beacon of resilience, purpose, and grace. His life is a testimony to commitment, focus, and excellence, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of scholars, leaders, and nation-builders across Africa and beyond.
He is married to Mrs. Bolanle Folasade Oyewole, his steadfast partner of over 40 years, and they are blessed with four accomplished children and many grandchildren.
Today, Sunday September 28, 2025, all roads lead to the expansive auditorium of Divine Heights Church, Kotopo, Abeokuta, for a thanksgiving ceremony while an elaborate party has been slated for Tuesday 30th September for friends and associates at DLK Events Centre, Abeokuta.
