Director
PhD, Ife. MNSE, MNIAE, R. Engr. (COREN), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
Prof Olufemi Adebola Koya of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, has his area of specialisation in the Applied Mechanics and Machine Design, and his researches spread over four major themes: Bio-Materials Processing, Renewable Energy, Machine Development, and Mechanical Maintenance.
Professor Koya is currently the director of the University’s Centre for Distance Learning. He had served at various administrative levels in the university, such as being, Dean, Faculty of Technology and the Chairman, Committee of Deans; Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering; Director, Central Technological Laboratory and Workshops; Vice-Dean, Faculty of Technology; Chairman, Faculty of Technology Postgraduate Committee; Member, Board of Postgraduate College, and the Coordinator, Basic Space and Atmospheric Science/Satellite Communications for the African Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education – English.
Professor Koya has over 30 years of teaching experience at the University level, handling undergraduate and postgraduate courses, such as, Research Methodology, Machine Design, Mechanical Maintenance, Automobile Engineering, Tribology, Engineering Valuation, Mechanical Measurements and Instrumentation, Mechanics of Machines, Engineering Mechanics, and Engineering Drawing. He has supervised over 26 postgraduate students to date, in various subjects in Mechanical Engineering and Agricultural Engineering. He is an examiner of several research theses in engineering, mathematics and applied sciences. Outside his home university, he served as the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology of Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin and presented the first set of the engineering graduates for convocation; he equally served as the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Engineering of the First Technical University, Ibadan, on 2-year visiting professorship to each of the universities. His bold impactful imprints in both universities remain indelible to-date.
Professor Koya is a coaching and a result-oriented mentor: his research teams have won many grants and awards, including being recipients of national awards on Development of Automotive Parts and Components, Mathematical Modelling of Processing Equipment, and Process Equipment Designs. His research publications have also earned notable international recognitions. An innovation toward commercial production of Palm-Kernel-Shell Brake Pad received national patent in 2016; while an Intermittent Solar Dryer for Cocoa Beans is being scaled-up with some modifications for commercial applications. Some laboratory investigations on hydropower generation from low amplitude sea waves and from water distribution networks were recently completed. His current research focuses on Renewable Energy Technologies and Applications, with emphasis on Thermal Bio-refinery, Solar-Thermal Generator, and Solar Drying Systems. He is vividly engaged in community services, serving as a resource person in short-courses and vocational trainings, such as in, Mechanical Maintenance, Welding and Metal Fabrication Technology, Food Processing and Preservation, Renewable Energy Systems; facilitating Total Human Development and Youth Leadership Mentorship, and championing programmes on Poverty Alleviation and Skill Acquisition Drive among the Unschooled.
Beyond his academic profile, he is one of the leading pastors of Christ Way Ministry, International, a Christ-disciple building Pentecostal church in Ile-Ife. His marriage of 35 years to a loving friend and a soul-mate companion, now Dr (Mrs) Olapeju Alice Koya, is extremely exciting and favoured with children and other manifold blessings of God, to Him alone be all the glory.
Deputy Director, OAUCDL
NCE, B.ED, M.ED, M.A.ED, Ph. D, FIPMD, FSASS, FIMC, CMC, FNAP, NAAIP, NAE
Professor Babatunde Adeniyi Adeyemi is a distinguished academic and scholar from Iragbiji in Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria. He became a Professor in 2017 in the Institute of Education, Faculty of Education, at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State. From 2016 to 2018, he served as the Director of the Institute of Education at OAU.
Prof. Adeyemi specializes in Social Studies, Curriculum Studies, and Educational Evaluation. A prolific writer, he has presented scholarly papers at numerous local and international conferences and has published over 260 articles in reputable peer-reviewed journals across local, national, and international platforms.
As a mentor, Prof. Adeyemi has supervised numerous undergraduate and postgraduate students, including:
He serves as an external examiner and assessor for several universities within and outside Nigeria. Currently, he is the Managing Editor of Ife Journal of Theory and Research in Education and a co-editor of Ife Journal of the Humanities and Social Studies (IJOHUSS).
Prof. Adeyemi is a member of numerous esteemed professional organizations, including:
In recognition of his contributions to academia and professional practice, he has been conferred with several fellowships, including:
He is also a Charter Member of the National Association of Artificial Intelligence Practitioners (NAAIP).
At Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof. Adeyemi plays an active role in various administrative and academic capacities. He represents the Dean of the Faculty of Education on the Review Panel of the Faculty of Administration, chairs the Faculty of Education Accreditation Committee, and represents the University Senate on the Business Committee of the Senate. Additionally, he is a member of the Nigerian Academy of Education (NAE) and currently serves as the Deputy Director of the Centre for Distance Learning at OAU.
Prof. Adeyemi’s dedication to academic excellence, mentorship, and institutional service continues to impact the field of education in Nigeria and beyond.
Administrative Secretary
M.Ed. Educational Administration, B.A. Ed. (History), MCIA, MANUPA
Thomas Olusegun Faniran is a Chartered Administrator and a member of the Chartered Institute of Administration (CIA), Member, Association of Nigerian Universities Professional Administrators (ANUPA), Development Knowledge Facilitator and participant at the British Council/World Bank Institute sponsored ‘’Community Development Service Pilot Training.’’ He has spent over sixteen years in senior Management roles in the Centre. He holds a Bachelor of Arts education degree in History and Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife as well as a Certificate in Advance Management Course for Administration Officers, PAs and Secretaries from Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM).
He has extensive experience in General Administration, Human resource management, human capital development and corporate governance, as well as a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. He has headed and served on different statutory committees of the University and Centre. He is the Secretary to the Centre, Secretary to the Governing Board, Academic Board, Staff Re recruitment/Selection panel, Tenders Board/Procurement Committee and Management Committee.
He has attended local and international workshops, seminars and conferences in capacity building, mentoring, networking, Open Educational Resources organised by Commonwealth of Learning (CoL) Canada, and 15th International Multi-Conference on ICT Applications titled ‘‘Application of Information and Communications Technology to Teaching, Research and Administration.’’ Development Knowledge Facilitator and participant at the British Council/World Bank Institute sponsored ‘’Community Development Service Pilot Training.’’
His leadership track record highlights his expertise in strategy development and execution; education innovation, organisational and strategic planning skills. He received south west excellence Award certificate for outstanding Leadership and Mentoring. He is particularly interested in strengthening links between the Centre and corporate organisations, and ensuring students are supported and prepared as well as they can be as they transition into the world of work.
A good sport and cultural enthusiast who in his spare time, loves volunteering, swimming, reading, socialising and community re-engineering. He is always exploring different opportunities for staff well-being, an Advocate of safety at work place, wellness and fitness programmes among staff of the Centre to enhance productivity.
He is incredibly passionate about deploying technology to achieving work and organisational efficiency.
Chief Finance Officer
Mr. O. K. Faniran is a seasoned accountant with cognate experience spanning over two decades. He attended the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin; the University of Ado-Ekiti (Now Ekiti State University); Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; and Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji.
He holds a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Accountancy, a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Degree in Accounting and Education, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with specialization in Finance and Accounting, and a Master of Science (M.Sc.) Degree in Accounting.
Mr. O. K. Faniran is a Certified Financial and IT Consultant (CFITC) and a member of the following professional bodies:
He joined the service of OAU CDL in 2009 as a Senior Accountant and rose through the ranks to become a Deputy Bursar and Chief Finance Officer of the Centre in 2020.
