Prof. Salami Ismaila Appointed Vice-Chancellor of Abdulfattah Durojaiye University

The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) has recorded another milestone with the appointment of Prof. Salami Olasunkanmi Ismaila as Vice-Chancellor of Abdulfattah Durojaiye University (ADUA), Ogun State.

Prof. Ismaila is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering and former Dean of the College of Engineering (COLENG) at FUNAAB.

The appointment was described by the Ag. Head, Directorate of Public Relations, FUNAAB, Mr. Olasunkanmi Olajide, as a source of immense pride to the University, reflecting the quality of academic talent, professional competence and administrative experience nurtured at the institution.

Before joining FUNAAB in 2007, Prof. Ismaila had about 15 years of private-sector experience in technical purchasing, equipment maintenance, project management and corporate leadership. At Beta Industries, a member of the Leventis Group, he revived a production press that had been idle for two years before rising to become General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of Trans Wonderland Nigeria PLC.

Mr. Olajide stated that Prof. Ismaila's academic journey began at the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, before obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; a Master's Degree in Industrial and Production Engineering from the University of Ibadan; and a Doctorate in Industrial Engineering, specialising in Ergonomics.

He progressed from Lecturer I in 2007 to Professor in 2016 at FUNAAB, serving as Head of Mechanical Unit at the Directorate of Works and Services, Postgraduate Coordinator, Deputy Dean, Director of Bureau of Transportation and Dean of College of Engineering.

The new Vice-Chancellor has also had international engagements at the University of Ibadan, University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa, Ghana, and Marwadi University, Rajkot, India.

His scholarly accomplishments include delivering FUNAAB's 92nd Inaugural Lecture in 2024, publishing Engineers in Society: With Guidelines to Registration as an Engineer in 2025, supervising numerous postgraduate students and serving as reviewer, editor and external examiner.

He has also served in various leadership positions at the Ibadan Branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and on the Society's National Council.

The Vice-Chancellor of FUNAAB, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, congratulated Prof. Ismaila, describing the appointment as well-deserved recognition of dedication to scholarship and university administration. He expressed confidence that his industrial experience and academic accomplishments would contribute to the growth of ADUA and wished him a successful tenure.