Akinkanju

Professor Folasade Ogunsola OON, FAS: From Medical Microbiologist to UNILAG’s First Female Vice-Chancellor – A Life of Firsts
There is a particular kind of excellence that does not announce itself. It simply shows up with rigour, with principle, and with an almost stubborn

Remi Babalola: One of Nigeria’s Most Principled Finance Ministers with the Rare Courage to Resign When It Matters
In the Southwest, we have a proverb that says “Ìwà rere lẹ̀ṣọ́ ènìyàn” — good character is a person’s jewel; it is what truly adorns

Professor Oyewale Tomori: How the 39th Child of a Polygamous Farmer Became a World-Renowned Virologist
The life of Professor Oyewale Tomori is a compelling testament to how policy, perseverance, and purpose can converge to shape history. Born into a large

Dotun Akande: How One Nigerian Mother Built Nigeria’s First Autism Centre
Ìyá ni wúrà, ìye bíye — “mother is gold” — is a beloved Yoruba song that eulogises the impact of mothers, particularly Yoruba mothers, on

Professor Jide Owoeye @ 70: The Visionary Behind Lead City University and Nigeria’s Knowledge Economy
As Professor Babajide Owoeye marks his 70th birthday, his life offers a remarkable story of scholarship, vision, and institution-building in Nigeria’s educational landscape. Renowned as

Itunu Hotonu: Africa’s First Female Admiral
Born on 18 January 1959 in Badagry, Itunu Hotonu was raised without gender limits in an academic home that nurtured ambition and courage. From Architecture

Amos Tutuola (1920-1997): How the First West African Author to Write a Full-Length English Novel Preserved Yoruba Culture for the World
Amos Tutuola’s life is a testament to the power of authenticity. Born in modest circumstances in Abeokuta, limited in formal education, criticised for his language,

Foluso Phillips: Building Institutions That Outlive Their Founders
In Nigeria’s entrepreneurial landscape, Foluso Phillips proved that Nigerian entrepreneurs can leave behind legacies that do not crumble into memories once they retire. As founder

Dr. Ibilola Amao: 33 Years of Engineering Excellence, Anti-Corruption Leadership, and Training 15,000+ Nigerians in STEM
In an industry where many believed women are expected to serve as secretaries to bosses, not lead teams, she trained the first 67 engineers for

Dr. Muyiwa Bamgbose at 70: How One Man Built EAC, Fought for Democracy, and Became Nigeria’s E-Learning Pioneer
When Dr. Muyiwa Bamgbose reflects on his life, he says with characteristic humility, ‘I don’t know whether I have a career path because I’ve just

Dr. Rasheed Adekunle Fasasi: The Visionary Educator Behind Ibadan Boys High School’s Renaissance
In Nigeria’s public education system, many teachers simply want to teach and retire. Given the profession’s poor pay and the extensive community service attached to

Otunba (Dr.) Olawanle Akinboboye: From 29-Year-Old Graduate to Founder of the World’s First African-Themed Resort
Picture this: You’ve just graduated from Florida International University with a Master’s degree in Hospitality Management. Multiple lucrative job offers await you in America. Instead,