Professor Saburi Adejimi Adesanya attended Baptist Grammar School, Ibadan between 1966 and 1970 and Igbobi College, Lagos from 1971 to 1972, He attended the University of Ibadan in 1973 where he bagged the Bachelor of Science Degree in Biochemistry in 1976. He also attended the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1978 where he bagged the M.Phil (Pharmacognosy) in 1981. He later left the shore of Nigeria in 1981 to the University of London, Great Britain where Ph.D. in Pharmacognosy in 1984.
At OAU, he taught various courses both at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. His academic excellence could be attested to by over 40 publications he has to his credit. He has attended several local and international seminars, conferences and workshops. Professor Adesanya has also supervised six (6) Ph.D., eight (8) Masters and several undergraduate students.
Prior to his appointment as the AG. Vice-Chancellor of Olabisi Onabanjo University in 2012, he was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administrator) at Obafemi Awolowo University (2009-2012). He also served the University in various capacities which included Head, Department of Pharmacognosy and member, Faculty Review Committee, Faculty Research Committee, Faculty Board of Pharmacy, University Research Committee, University Management, and University Council to mention but few.
He was at a time a visiting scholar to Several Universities; the Chairman, PTA OAU International School; Secretary, Nigerian Society of Pharmacognosy and Editor-in-Chief, Nigeria Journal of Natural Products and Medicine. He also attracted grants and fund running into several millions of naira from internal and external donors to Obafemi Awolowo University. He also has written several technical reports.
He was part of the research team on ‘Fagara”. the anti-sickling drug discovered in the department of Pharmacognosy, OAU from Zanthoxylumxanthzyloides. His research provided scientific rationale for the use of several herbs in local traditional medicines and established the potential of Chrysophylumalbidum as an antifungal agent for future drug development.
Professor Adesanya has many awards and distinctions to his credit. These include Federal Government Scholarship Award, Organization of African Unity/STRC Postdoctoral fellowship, Centre Nationale Recherche Scientifique, France among others. He is also a member, Nigerian Society of Pharmacognosy, World Health Organization Centre of Excellence in Traditional Medicinal Plan Research, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
He has served as an examiner to various private and public Universities in Nigeria and beyond. He also served as an Adjunct/Visiting Professor to many Universities in Nigeria. Our amiable Professor has travelled far and wide.
Since his appointment as the Acting Vice-Chancellor, the university has recorded great transformation in physical, cultural and curricular growth. His efforts to transform the University to an enviable position have been commended within and outside the University Community. Apart from the massive reorganization and restructuring of the University, the graduation and certification of over 45,000 graduates of the institution within his first year had also been applauded by stakeholders as the major landmark achievement of this erudite scholar and astute administrator.
Professor Adesanya’s leadership qualities and landmark achievements as the Ag. Vice-Chancellor of the Olabisi Onabanjo University earned him confirmation as the 7th Substantive Vice-Chancellor by the University Council in August, 2013.
He is happily married to Mrs. Olusola Ajoke Adesanya and the marriage is blessed with promising Children.
Adapted from “Influential Muslim Personalities and Outstanding Achievers of South-West Nigeria – An Incisive Compendium and Exposition By Bashir Babatunde Feyijimi (Islam Excel Communications) under the auspices of Muslim Ummah of South-West Nigeria (MUSWEN)”
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