OAUSTECH Appoints Two on Professorial Cadres.
The Governing Council, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, has approved the appointment of Dr. Soji Fakoya, Department of Biological Sciences, to the position of a Professor and Dr. Ezekiel Abiodun Oyekan, Department of Mathematical Sciences, to the position of Reader.
The Council found the two scholars from the School of Science apointable to professorial cadre, based on quality teaching, valuable research and effective community service.
Prof. Fakoya, 50, born in Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, attended The Apostolic Primary School, Ilara-Mokin (1978-1984), Community Comprehensive High School, Ilara-Mokin (1984-1992) and Federal University of Technology (FUTA), Akure from 1994 -2000, 2001-2005 and 2006 – 2011. He holds PhD in Food Microbiology (Mushroom Technology), M.Tech in Food Microbiology, B. Tech, Food and Industrial Microbiology, Senior Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC).
Prof. Fakoya is a member of a number of professional bodies: American Society for Microbiology, USA; Society for Applied Microbiology, London; Mycological of Nigeria; Nigeria Society for Microbiology; and Golden Centre for Research and Innovation (CRI), USA.
Prior to his appointment with OAUSTECH, Prof. Fakoya worked as Quality Control Inspector, 7-Up Bottling Company (1998), Biology Teacher and H.O.D., Okeagbe High School, Okeagbe, Akoko, Ondo State (2002-2006) and he participated in the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) scheme at Standard Life College, Asaba, Delta State (2001).
He joined the services of the University in December 2011 as Lecturer I (2011-2014), Senior Lecturer (2014-2017), Reader (2017-2020) and recently, was appointed a Professor of Mycology and Industrial Microbiology in the University.
Meanwhile, the newly appointed professor began his lecturing career at Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State as Lecturer at the Pre-degree Programme (2007-2011), Assistant Lecturer at JABU (2006-2009), rising to Lecturer II (2009-2011) and eventually Lecturer (Oct. 2011- Dec. 2011).
Prof. Fakoya, over the years, has served the University meritoriously in different capacities. He was the pioneer Acting Director, OSUSTECH Pre-degree programme (2016-2017), Acting Director, JUPEB Programme (2017), SIWES Acting Director (2017-2018), Acting Head, Department of Biological Sciences (2018-2020) and Director, Centre for Research and Development, OAUSTECH (2021- till date).
He was equally the Chairman, ASUU Cooperative Bye-law Committee, OAUSTECH (2020), Chairman, Earned Academic Allowed (EAA) Reviewed Committee (2018-2020), Member, Students’ Disciplinary Committee (2018-2020), Member, School of Science Board of Studies (2018-2020), Examination Officer, Department of Biological Sciences (2012-2016), Chairman, Biological Science Department Board of Examiners (2018-2020) and Member, School of Science Curriculum Review (2018 till date) to mention few.
Prof. Fakoya was External Examiner, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (2016) and Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (2019). He is Associate Editor-in-Chief, Nigerian Journal of Mycology (2018 till date).
Prof. Fakoya has about forty (40) publications, and has attended over 15 conferences, seminars and workshops within and outside Nigeria.
Prof. Fakoya was co-winner, Tetfund IBR Grants (2021/2022), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Travel Grant Award (full sponsorship) to attend Agricultural Research Connections (ARC) workshop held in Nairobi, Kenya (2014) and Winner, Seeding Labs 2020 Instrumental Access Programme Grant (200 million worth of equipment). During his University days, he was won Federal Government Scholarship awards for Nigerians in Tertiary Institutions, Postgraduate level (2002/2003 session) and Second Best overall student at undergraduate level for year 2000 session graduating set, Microbiology programme FUTA.
Dr. Oyekan, 55, born in Ogbomosho, Oyo State, attended St. Andrew College of Education, Oyo, Oyo State from 1988-1992 where he studied Chemistry/Mathematics and passed out with Upper Credit, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State from 1994-1998 where he earned BSc Mathematics with Second Class Upper Division, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State from 2001-2006 to obtain M.Tech Mathematics and was back at the University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State from 2008-2013, earning PhD in Mathematics.
Besides his academic attainment, Dr. Oyekan belongs to some professional bodies, including: National Association of Mathematicians (NAM), Nigeria Mathematical Society (NMS), Affiliate Member, American Mathematical Society (AMS), Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) and Science Teachers’ Association of Nigeria (STAN).
Before joining the services of OAUSTECH in 2014, Dr. Oyekan had worked in a number of places such as: Adamawa College of Education, Mubi, Adamawa State from 1998-1999 for his one year mandatory National Youth Service Corp (NYSC), Headteacher, Baptist Comprehensive School, Kotangora, Niger State (1999-2000), Principal, Baptist Comprehensive High School, Kotangora, Niger State (2000-2007), Part- Time Lecturer, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, UNIFECS Study Centre, Kotangora, Niger State (2000-2002), Course Facilitator, National Open University (NOUN), Osogbo Study Centre, Osun State (2009-2010), Part-time Lecturer, Ado-Ekiti State University Sandwich Degree programme, Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo State (2009-2011), Assistant Lecturer, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State (2007-2012) and Lecturer II, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Bowen University, Iwo (2012-2013).
Dr. Oyekan, who joined the services of OAUSTECH as Lecturer I (2014-2017), Department of Mathematical Sciences, and was appointed Senior Lecturer (2017-2020) and an Associate Professor (Reader) from 2020 till date.
Also, Dr. Oyekan has held a number of administrative positions in the University. He was Departmental SIWES Coordinator, Department of Mathematical Sciences, School of Science (2016-2018), Seminar Project Coordinator, Department of Mathematical Sciences (2015-2016), Programme Coordinator for Mathematics programme (2016-2018), Member, Academic Board of Studies, Member, University Senate (2019-2021) and Acting Head of Department, Department of Mathematical Sciences from 2019-2021 and from 2022 till date.
He is External Examiner, Ladoke Akintola University (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Editorial member, Further Science and President, ASUU- OAUSTECH Multipurpose Cooperative Society (2017 till date).
Dr. Oyekan was a winner LMC Travel Grant Award to attend the Joint Congress of the American and South African Mathematical Societies (SAMS- AMS) Congress held at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa (2011), Tetfund IBR Grants 2020, MicCom Bursary Award for Students with CGPA of 3.5 and above, St. Andrew College of Education, Oyo State (1989/1990) and Best Lecturer Award by National Association of Mathematics Science Students’ of Nigeria (NANSSN), Bowen University, Iwo (2011-2012).
Dr. Oyekan, with over 40 publications, had attended scores of conferences, seminars and workshops within and outside the shores of Nigeria.
Prof. Fakoya and Dr. Oyekan are married and their unions are blessed with children.
