Meet Prof. Adepoju Tunde Joseph Ogunkunle, presenter of LAUTECH’s 76th inaugural lecture
pannigeriannews
4 min read
Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso will, on Thursday, October 22, 2026, host its 76th Inaugural Lecture, to be delivered by Professor Adepoju Tunde Joseph Ogunkunle, Professor of Plant Taxonomy and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management and Operations) of the university.
The lecture, titled “Making Sense Out of Chaos: Taxonomy as a Universal ‘Digestive System’ Amidst Plentiful Harvest but Few Workers,” will take place at the Great Hall, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, at 12 noon.
The lecture will be delivered under the distinguished chairmanship of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor R. O. Rom Kalilu.
Professor Ogunkunle is an accomplished scholar, researcher, university administrator, environmental consultant and community servant whose career spans teaching, scientific research, institutional leadership and public service.
Born on October 26, 1963, in Tede, in the present-day Atisbo Local Government Area of Oyo State, he began his education at Saint Mary Catholic Primary School, Tede, and Community High School, Sepeteri, before proceeding to St. Andrew’s College of Education, Oyo.
He later attended the University of Ilorin, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Education degree in Biology with First Class Honours in 1987. During his National Youth Service Corps programme in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, he received the Chairman’s Honours Award.
He returned to the University of Ilorin for postgraduate studies, earning a Master of Science degree in Botany in 1990 and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Plant Taxonomy in 2007. His doctoral thesis was adjudged by the National Universities Commission as the best in Biological Sciences in Nigeria for 2006. He subsequently obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science from LAUTECH in 2002 and a Postgraduate Diploma in Theology from the Redeemed Christian Bible College, Lagos, in 2011.
Professor Ogunkunle began his academic career at LAUTECH in 1994 as an Assistant Lecturer and rose through the ranks to become Professor of Plant Taxonomy in 2014. His career also took him to Bowen University, Iwo, where he taught Biology and Botany, and the Federal University of Technology, Minna, where he served as a Professor of Botany on sabbatical appointment.
His research interests focus on systematic botany, particularly the anatomy and taxonomy of angiosperms. He has published about 60 articles in peer-reviewed national and international journals and contributed to studies on plant classification, biodiversity conservation, medicinal plants, herbal medicine, traditional herbal formulations and the sustainable utilisation of Nigerian hardwoods for pulp and paper production.
As a teacher and research supervisor, he has supervised more than 200 undergraduate projects and approximately 20 postgraduate research works covering plant systematics, medicinal plants and public health, herbal medicine, biodiversity conservation and related fields.
His professional engagements also include environmental consultancy, through which he has contributed to ecological, biodiversity and environmental assessment reports. His assignments over the past decade have included Environmental Impact Assessments, Post-Impact Assessments, vegetation assessments and biodiversity studies for the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Ogun State Ministry of Environment.
In university administration, Professor Ogunkunle has served as Acting Head of Department, Deputy Dean and Dean of the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Chairman of the Environmental Management Committee, Chairman of the Committee of Provosts and Deans, and Director of Postgraduate Professional Programmes. He represented the University Congregation on the Governing Council from 2010 to 2014 and Nigerian universities on the Board of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board from 2013 to 2015.
Beyond academia, he served as an elected Honourable Councillor representing Ward 10 in the then Ifedapo Local Government Area of Oyo State from 1990 to 1993. He was ordained a Special Apostle of Christ of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church in 2012 by the then Supreme Head of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church Unification Worldwide, His Most Eminence, Most Elder Apostle Prophet Dr Solomon Adegboyega Alao.
Professor Ogunkunle’s commitment to institutional development and professional integrity has earned him several commendations. In 2019, LAUTECH management commended him for his diligence in executing an assignment on Gender Mainstreaming and Policy for the university. In 2025, the Centre for Ethics and Self Value Orientation recognised him for professional and ethical compliance and quality service to citizens. On April 13, 2026, the university’s Governing Council also commended him for his dedication to institutional growth and the well-being of staff and students.
He served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Strategy and Development) from August 2024 to July 2026 before assuming office as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management and Operations) on August 1, 2026.
He is a member of the Botanical Society of Nigeria, the World Society for Interdisciplinary Anti-Aging Medicine, the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, and the Society for Medicinal Plants and Economic Development. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Local Government and Public Administration of Nigeria.
Professor Ogunkunle is married to Mrs. Funmilayo Oyeladun Ogunkunle, and their union is blessed with four children.
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