EMERITUS PROFESSOR LABUNMI LAJIDE : THE INTERNATIONAL CHEMISTRY SCHOLAR PAR EXCELLENCE
Labunmi Lajide, is now an Emeritus Professor of the Federal University of Technology Akure so appointed in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of Chemistry and his decades of dedicated service to the Institution and the global scientific community.
Emeritus Professor Lajide, who hails from Ogbomoso in Oyo State, was born on October 30, 1951. He began his academic journey at Ogbomoso Grammar School before proceeding to the University of Ibadan, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry in 1977. He later advanced his studies at the prestigious Australian National University in Canberra, where he obtained his Ph.D. in Chemistry in 1985, supported by a Commonwealth Scholarship. His thesis focused on the isolation, structure determination, and synthesis of lichen metabolites, showcasing his early commitment to research excellence.
Professor Lajide, during his sojourn in FUTA made significant strides in the field of organic and medicinal chemistry. His research interests span a wide range of topics, including biologically active plant products with potential pharmaceutical and agrochemical applications, bioaccumulation studies in freshwater environments, solid waste management, and the refinement of plastic waste into value-added petrochemical products.
Professor Lajide joined the Federal University of Technology, Akure in 1993 as a Senior Lecturer and rose to the rank of Professor of Chemistry in 1999.
Over the years, he has supervised more than 28 Ph.D. candidates and 20 master’s degree students, shaping the next generation of chemists and researchers in Nigeria and beyond.
The Emeritus Professor’s teaching and research expertise, particularly in organic, medicinal, and agrochemistry, earned him a distinguished reputation both within and outside Nigeria.
He also served on several administrative roles at FUTA, including Head of the Department of Chemistry, Director of the Centre for Continuing Education, and Chairman of numerous university panels. His leadership extended to collaborations with institutions such as the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan and the Research Development Corporation of Japan, where he worked on cutting-edge projects related to plant defense mechanisms and Pest Management.
Emeritus Professor Lajide’s academic contributions have been widely recognized. He has authored and co-authored numerous scientific publications in leading local and international journals, with over 192 journal articles, technical reports, and conference presentations. In addition, he holds three Japanese patents related to plant-derived pest management agents, highlighting his innovation in the field of agrochemistry.
As a member of various prestigious scholarly and professional organizations, including the Chemical Society of Nigeria, the Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology and Agrochemistry, and the Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria, Professor Lajide has consistently contributed to the advancement of scientific knowledge and practice. His dedication to academic excellence and his impact on the field of chemistry have made him a mentor to many, earning him a well-deserved place as Professor Emeritus.
For extracurricular activities, Emeritus Professor Lajide is known for his love of reading, traveling, photography, and mountain climbing, pursuits that reflect his inquisitive and adventurous spirit. His recent research projects, including a National Research Fund (NRF)-TETFund project on plastic waste refining, demonstrate his continued commitment to addressing pressing environmental issues and finding innovative solutions for the future.
The appointment of Labunmi Lajide as Professor Emeritus is a confirmation of his lifelong dedication to academic scholarship, research, and mentorship. His legacy at FUTA and in the broader academic community continues to inspire generations of scientists and educators.
Chinedu Nzogbu