Adewale Oke Adekola (26 March 1932 – March 1999) was a Nigerian engineer, academic, author, and administrator. He was the first Nigerian dean of engineering and head of civil engineering at the University of Lagos. He was the founding vice chancellor of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi and emeritus professor of the University of Lagos. He was a pioneer of engineering education in Nigeria and reputed as a great teacher. He became one of the first Nigerians to be awarded the degree of Doctor of Science (DSc) in 1976 - awarded by London University in engineering (structural mechanics).
Early life
Adekola was born in Ota, Ogun State, on 26 March 1932. His father was Chief Gbadamosi Akande Adekola, a goldsmith and farmer of Olupe compound, Ijaiye, Abeokuta. His mother was Alhaja Ayisat Aina Ajile Adekola a successful merchant trader of local fabrics (Aso-Oke / Adire) of Otun quarters, Ota. Adewale was educated at Saint James primary school Ota from 1939 to 1946. Adewale joined the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation in 1951, where he distinguished himself as an electrical engineering assistant - he left after gaining admission to University College Ibadan.
Academic achievements
Adekola's tertiary education commenced at the University of Ibadan (1952–53) where he sat for and obtained his InterBSc London University. He was then awarded a Western Region Government scholarship to the Northampton Engineering College, London (Now City University) in 1953 and attained his BSc in engineering in 1956. His scholarship was extended on the recommendation of the Colonial Office and Sir Hubert Walker, Director of Public Works. Adekola proceeded to Imperial College of Science and Technology, London in 1956 earning his Diploma of Imperial College (DIC) in 1958 and his Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in 1959. Adekola authored several papers on composites systems and in 1976 his contribution to the understanding of the complex relationship between the factors affecting the ultimate strength of composite beams earned him the prestigious higher doctorate degree, DSc of the University of London.
Educator and administrator
After his PhD, Adekola worked briefly with the international firm of Ove Arup & Partners from 1959 to 1960.
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
He commenced his teaching career with the Nigerian College of Arts, Science & Technology, Zaria, 1960 as lecturer rising to senior lecturer and acting head of department by 1962. Civil unrest caused by the buildup to the Nigerian Civil War caused him to move to the University of Lagos as associate professor and acting dean of engineering in 1965.
University of Lagos
Adekola was invited to oversee the establishment of the University of Lagos faculty of Engineering and produced the first set of graduates in the field of Engineering in June 1967. Adekola became Professor (Civil Engineering) in 1968 as well as the first Nigerian Dean of the Faculty of Engineering. His inaugural paper presented several innovative solutions to infrastructure development in Nigeria and is considered to have laid seeds for the pioneering of laterite as a road construction material for developing nations. In addition, he suggested a more resilient road construction methodology with a better capacity to sustain heavy traffic loads, leading to lower maintenance cost. He remains the longest serving Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Lagos (1968 – 1971) and upon vacating his Deanship was appointed Head of Civil Engineering Department of the same Institution. In his tenure at the University of Lagos he served on the Committee of Deans (65 – 71), Development Committee (67 – 70), Library Committee (67 – 70), Academic Planning Committee (72 – 74), University Council (75 – 79) and as Chairman of the Computer Management Board (73 – 76).