By Abdulwaheed Musa
The Governing Council of Kwara State University (KWASU) has ratified the promotion of 28 academic staff members to the professorial cadre. According to the press release signed by Dr. Saeedat Aliyu, Acting Director of University Relations, three distinguished colleagues have been promoted to full Professor, while 25 have ascended to the rank of Associate Professor.
I heartily congratulate all the newly promoted colleagues on this remarkable achievement. It is a well-deserved recognition at the pinnacle of academic excellence. These are not just colleagues, but many of them are close associates and cherished friends with whom I have walked various paths within the university.
I extend my warmest congratulations to the three newly promoted full Professors: Professor Shehu Abdulganiyu Salau (ASUU Chairman and Head of Department, Agricultural Economics and Extension), Professor Moshood Zakariyah (Director, Centre for General Studies), and Professor Olayiwola Gafar Olorisade (Vice Chairman of ASUU and Director, Centre for Wellness and Creative Arts Therapy).
Their elevation fills me with immense pride. Our bond runs deep, having all served as pioneer members of the Business Committee of Senate (BCOS), established after the dissolution of the former Senate Business Committee (SBC) by the late Vice Chancellor, Prof. M. M. Akanbi. Prof. Salau, alongside Dr. Kareem Adedokun (now Justice Adedokun), brought continuity and depth to the newly formed BCOS, sharing experience and insights.
Dr. Adedokun once jokingly conferred on me the honorary title of “Learned Colleague”, a term traditionally reserved for legal practitioners. How that title came about is a story for another day, but suffice it to say it stemmed from my enthusiastic interventions during BCOS deliberations and a noticeable legalistic flair in my arguments.
So, Prof. Salau was a stalwart of the BCOS and his leadership during the transition from the defunct SBC to BCOS was invaluable. As a fellow comrade, the camaraderie between Prof. Salau and myself is profound and organic. Prof. Zakariyah’s contributions to BCOS discussions were always well-measured, deeply intellectual, and geared toward safeguarding the university’s image. His calm but impactful demeanor made him a valued voice in BCOS.
Prof. Olorisade, meticulous to the core, always ensured, like others, that students’ results met all graduation or progression requirements. His eagle-eyed scrutiny often uncovered hidden “NAs” or long-forgotten carryovers, ultimately preserving the integrity of our academic processes.
These three gentlemen are not just scholars but institution builders and updating their titles from “Dr.” to “Prof.” is a joy I cherish. It’s a small act, but it “sweet my belle.”
Similarly, many of the newly promoted Associate Professors are not just professional acquaintances; they are individuals with whom I have shared committees, research, grants, and moments of laughter.
Dr. Latifat Olatinwo (Agricultural Extension and Rural Development) is a co-investigator on some of the grants I’ve won. We have served together on committees such as the ceremonial committee, university rankings, and VC’s book launch event. Dr. James Ojo, my current BCOS colleague, replaced Prof. Salau as the Faculty of Agriculture’s representative. He is also a collaborator on my NAIRS-funded project. His quiet competence is inspiring. Dr. Akeem Raji, a specialist in Food Processing Technology, once served as HoD of Food Science and Technology (FST), a department that partners closely with Engineering on foundational courses, including the Applied Electricity course I teach.
Dr. Yunusa Jamiu (Modern Arabic Literature), affectionately called “Bashorun,” is a long-time family mentor and role model. Dr. Yahya Muritala (Arabic Syntax and Translation) is a fellow IIUM alumnus. Dr. Sherifat Hussain-Abubakar (Islamic Family Law and Gender Studies) served with me on the Ethics and Dress Code Committee. She is a thoughtful and principled academic.
Dr. Oluwatomi Adeoti (Pragmatics) lights up the BCOS with her English accent and commanding delivery. She is a delight for lovers of refined spoken English like myself. Dr. Ronke Babatunde, my sister in AI and Machine Learning, refuses to stop calling herself my mentee, despite our footing in joint grants (at least three). Her humility (“mentee” claims) belies her brilliance. She’s the only female BCOS member apart from the Chair and the sole ICT staff promoted this cycle.
Dr. Usman Saadu (Educational Psychology) replaced Prof. Olorisade in BCOS. I teasingly chide him over our shared acronym “ECE” — his for Early Childhood Education and mine for Electrical and Computer Engineering. A brilliant mind, Dr. Abdullahi Alabi (Comparative Politics and Administration) is also a member of the BCOS.
Engr. Dr. Olalekan Ogunbiyi (Power Systems and Automatic Control) is a foundational colleague from my earliest days at KWASU. His promotion is a personal joy, as I currently serve as his HoD. Truly, his promotion is well deserved after years of joint service. Engr. Dr. Rasheed Busari (Farm Power and Machinery), a fellow FUT Minna alumnus, rekindled our connection during his academic visit to Malaysia years ago. Since then, we’ve remained close friends and academic allies. Engr. Dr. Kamoru Oladosu (Production and Renewable Energy) exemplifies dedication. We’ve worked together on the FET Board and CCMAS design. His past HoD role makes him a strong professional companion.
Dr. Idris Mohammed (Development Studies), and Dr. Ibrahim Salawu (Public Policy) are reliable collaborators. I particularly enjoy working with Dr. Salawu as a board member of the School of Postgraduate Studies (SPGS), where he serves as Sub-Dean.
Dr. Emmanuel Irondi (Nutritional Biochemistry) inspires me with the volume of his research productivity. Our bond strengthened when his son, Blessed, joined my department and commenced his academic journey with a First Class under my leadership. This feat by his son is proof that excellence runs in the family. Dr. Kazeem Issa and Dr. Wasiu Yahya, specialists in Numerical Analysis and Theoretical Physics respectively, have both crossed paths with me through thesis and dissertation reviews and examinations.
Dr. Abdulazeez Kayode Jimoh (Numerical Analysis) was the Sub-Dean in the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences. Our relationship blossomed through my university examination monitoring role. His humility later revealed he’s one of my “big uncles.” Finally, Dr. Abiodun Obembe shares with me a bond built not just on academic pursuit but also on camaraderie. To those I couldn’t name individually, your contributions are equally valued.
Beyond personal connections, this promotion cycle reveals strategic insights, and is particularly significant in both scope and composition:
Total Promotions: 28 — comprising 3 Professors (10.7%) and 25 Associate Professors (89.3%).
Faculty Spread: Promotions cut across 8 out of 11 faculties. Agriculture and Arts lead with 6 promotions each. STEM disciplines (Pure & Applied Sciences – 5, Engineering – 3, ICT – 1) together account for 9 promotions. Also, 3 (11%) in Management & Social Sciences and 2 (7%) each in Education and Law.
Disciplinary Breadth: Promotions span from Arabic and Islamic Studies to emerging fields like AI and Renewable Energy, indicating KWASU’s balance between tradition and innovation.
Gender Representation: 7 females (25%) and 21 males (75%) — a commendable inclusion, especially in Agriculture (2), Arts (2), ICT (1), and Law (1).
Institutional Impact: 28 promotions in one cycle is robust for a state university like KWASU, especially as comparable universities (such as UNILORIN) average 20–30 promotions/year.
KWASU’s commitment to academic excellence is reflected in these numbers. The rise in associate professors also suggests a pipeline of future full professors and signals institutional growth aligned with the university’s vision of Community Development and Entrepreneurship.
In sum, this promotion cycle is not just a celebration of individual brilliance but a testament to KWASU’s evolving academic landscape. It strengthens our research base, enhances mentorship potential, and positions us for even greater national and global relevance.
To all the newly promoted colleagues, congratulations once again. Your elevation is our collective pride.
Finally, this achievement belongs not just to the promoted but to everyone who made it possible: Governing Council and Promotion Committees (the Appointment and Promotion Committee, the Faculty Evaluation Committee and the Departmental Evaluation Committee), External Assessors, Deans of Faculties, and Heads of Departments. Their roles are very crucial, and their rigor ensures credibility, but they are usually neglected and unacknowledged after the completion of the promotion exercise.
Engr. Abdulwaheed Musa, PhD
HoD, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Director, Centre for AI & Machine Learning Systems
Kwara State University, Malete
