Background
(STUDENTS CALL HIM COACH)
Born 23rd July 1967 at Ibadan, Oyo State, Professor Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole, fondly called “Coach” by colleagues and mentees hails from Ogbomoso, Oyo State. A distinguished scholar and transformative leader, he brings to the position over three decades of progressive experience in teaching, research, and community service across some of Nigeria’s foremost universities and reputable international research institutions. Renowned for his ability to inspire excellence even in the face of limited resources, Professor Ogunwole has consistently demonstrated visionary leadership that converts constraints into opportunities, driving institutional renewal, innovation, and impactful results where others see impossibility.
He began his early education at St. Anne’s Primary Boarding School, Kakuri, Kaduna (1972–1977), proceeded to Tafawa Balewa Memorial College, Samaru-Zonkwa (1977–1982), and later attended the School of Basic Studies at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (1983–1984). These formative years laid the foundation for his disciplined pursuit of academic excellence and his lifelong commitment to knowledge, leadership, and service.
Distinguished Academic and Professional Background
Professor Ogunwole holds a B.Sc in Agriculture., M.Sc., and Ph.D. in Soil Science from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, where he began his illustrious academic career. Over the years, he has served in various capacities across institutions, including Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Adamawa State University (ADSU), Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA), Bowen University, Iwo and Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), contributing significantly to institutional growth, staff development, and student success.
Until his current appointment, he served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Strategic Partnerships, Research, Innovation and Linkages, SPRIL) at Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), where he leveraged his vast international experience to foster impactful collaborations, strengthen research productivity, and promote innovative solutions across disciplines. His tenure as the substantive Vice-Chancellor of Bowen University (2018–2023) was marked by huge infrastructural developments, an exceptional academic outlook, high-level capacity building, and improved staff and student welfare, coupled with a zero tolerance for low-performance work ethics. Under his leadership, Bowen University experienced a remarkable financial turnaround, as he grew the internally generated revenue by multiples of billions, cleared all inherited deficits, and left behind several millions of naira in surplus at the end of his tenure. His administration remains celebrated for its emphasis on transparency, discipline, and sustainable development.
Global Research Fellowships and International Recognition
Professor Ogunwole’s academic journey is distinguished by a series of prestigious international fellowships and scholarly engagements that have elevated his professional standing globally. He was a Fulbright Scholar at the Pennsylvania State University, USA (2009–2010), where he conducted advanced research on root growth & development of pasture grass under zero tillage practice. Earlier, he served as a TWAS Postdoctoral Fellow at the Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute, Bhavnagar, India (2006–2007). In 2010, he participated in the TWAS Associateship Programme at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Colombo, Sri Lanka, and was deployed to the East African Regional Office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as a Soil Scientist under the CGIAR Nile Challenge Programme. Between 2014 and 2015, he held the Alexander von Humboldt (AvH) Fellowship at the University of Hannover, Germany, where he conducted pioneering research on carbon dynamics in soils. From 2011 to 2017, he was a Regular Associate at the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Trieste, Italy, contributing to global discourse on sustainable environmental systems.
His expertise also extends to capacity building and continental development initiatives. As a leading African facilitator for the Australian Awards Africa Programme, Professor Ogunwole led high-impact training sessions on Dryland Farming (2012–2013), Soil and Water Conservation (2014–2015), and Irrigation and Water Resources Management (2017) across Tunisia, Kenya, and Ethiopia. He also served as a consultant with the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in Mali (2015) and was appointed a College Research Associate of the United Nations University, Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA), Accra, Ghana, in 2016.
Research Excellence and Thought Leadership
A prolific researcher and mentor, Professor Ogunwole has published extensively in reputable local and international journals, with contributions that have advanced the frontiers of soil physics, environmental management, and sustainable agriculture. His interdisciplinary work on carbon sequestration, land use optimisation, and climate adaptation continues to influence policy and practice in Africa and beyond. He has successfully supervised numerous postgraduate students and has been an inspiration to young academics through his dedication to scientific inquiry and integrity. His commitment to evidence-based policy development and innovation-driven education underscores his vision of universities as incubators of knowledge, ethics, and national progress.
Leadership Philosophy and Vision
At this defining moment in FUOYE’s evolution, Professor Ogunwole’s vision seeks to transform the University into a model of excellence through strategic renewal, innovation, and inclusive growth. He envisions FUOYE as a technologically driven and globally competitive institution that blends expansion with quality, guided by integrity, sustainability, and intellectual vibrancy. His blueprint prioritises the review and standardisation of the University’s physical structures; the diversification of energy sources to include solar, gas, and biomass systems; the strengthening of water and transport infrastructure; and the expansion of academic facilities through sustainable partnerships. Above all, his vision seeks to nurture an ecosystem of excellence that empowers staff, inspires students, and positions FUOYE as a beacon of innovation, moral leadership, and societal impact within Nigeria and the wider global academic community
Awards, Memberships, and Recognition
Professor Ogunwole’s distinguished academic and professional profile is further affirmed by his active engagement in several reputable scholarly and professional bodies, both locally and internationally. He is a Fellow of the African Scientific Institute (ASI) and a Fellow of the Soil Science Society of Nigeria (SSSN). He is also a registered Soil Scientist and Council Member of the Nigeria Institute of Soil Science (NISS). Internationally, he is a member of the Agronomy Society of America (ASA), the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA), the International Union of Soil Science (IUSS), and the College of Research Associates (CRA) of the United Nations University. He has also served as Regional Coordinator (North-West Zone) for Soil Research in Nigeria and as Treasurer of the Fulbright Alumni Association of Nigeria (FAAN) between 2010 and 2014.Over the years, Professor Ogunwole has received several honours and awards recognising his outstanding contributions to research, academic administration, and institutional development. His achievements reflect a rare combination of scholarship, service, and visionary leadership that continues to inspire the academic and scientific community.
Personal Life
Professor Ogunwole is a man of faith, humility, and purpose. He is deeply committed to mentoring young scholars and building institutions anchored on moral discipline, inclusivity, and intellectual merit. His life and career exemplify a balance between scholarship and service, making him a beacon of ethical and transformative leadership in higher education. Ogunwole is blessed with three children namely, Ifeoluwapo, Bolatito and Mosope.
