The Senate of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, honoured two of its distinguished members, Professor Folorunso Oladimeji Ogunwolu and Professor Alex Ike Mowete, as they conclude their meritorious service to the University.
Professor Ogunwolu of the Department of Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, will retire on October 21, 2026, while Professor Mowete of the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, who was unavoidably absent at the meeting, will retire on October 25, 2026.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), Professor Foluso Afolabi Lesi, who presided as Acting Chairperson, read the citations of the two professors. On behalf of UNILAG Senate, staff and students, he congratulated the duo on their illustrious careers and invaluable contributions to the University and the nation at large.
In his remarks, Professor Ogunwolu expressed deep appreciation to the University Senate for the recognition and thanked the UNILAG community for providing a platform that enabled him to achieve career fulfilment while contributing to knowledge and mentoring future generations.
Below are the citations of the two illustrious academics:
Professor Folorunso Oladimeji Ogunwolu was born on October 21, 1956 in Abeokuta, Ogun State. He began his education at Lisabi Primary School, Ijoko, Abeokuta, and proceeded to St. Peter’s College, Abeokuta, where he obtained the West African School Certificate, Grade 1, in 1975.
His academic journey is a remarkable testimony to perseverance and excellence. He obtained an HND in Civil Engineering with Distinction in 1983, a First Class degree in Mathematics and Education in 1991, a Master’s degree in Engineering Analysis in 1995, and a Ph.D. in Systems Engineering in 2005, in addition to a Postgraduate Diploma in Civil Engineering. A distinguished scholar in Industrial, Logistics and Management Systems Engineering, he joined the University of Lagos in 1995 and rose through the academic ranks to become a Professor in 2021.
Professor Ogunwolu has contributed substantially to teaching, research and postgraduate training, particularly in Operations Research, Modelling and Simulation, and Facility Planning. His academic exposure included a fellowship as Visiting Scholar at Otto von Guericke University of Magdeburg, Germany.
His commitment to university service is reflected in his various leadership roles, including Sub-Dean and Coordinator of the Foundation Programme, Congregational Representative in Senate, Acting Head and Head of the Department of Systems Engineering.
Professor Ogunwolu is a COREN-registered Engineer, member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and Fellow of the Institute of Operations Research and Management Science. His professional contributions include participation in major engineering and transportation projects such as the Lagos–Badagry Expressway, Lekki–Epe Expressway and Lagos Monorail Project.As a scholar, he has produced forty one (41) journal publications and eighteen (18) conference proceedings, and has supervised over sixty (60) Master’s students and three completed Ph.D. programmes, with four others ongoing. He has also served as postgraduate examiner, Ph.D. assessor and member of NUC accreditation teams.Beyond academia, Professor Ogunwolu is a co-convener of the Geriatric Life Foundation, demonstrating his enduring commitment to service to humanity.
Professor Alex Ike Mowete was born on October 25, 1956 in Onitsha, Anambra State. He had his early education at Loyola College, Ibadan, from 1968 to 1972, and subsequently attended The Polytechnic, Ibadan, from 1974 to 1976. He proceeded to the University of Lagos (UNILAG), where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering in 1980 and a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
Professor Mowete began his academic career at UNILAG as a Graduate Assistant on October 15, 1982. Through dedication to teaching, research and university service, he rose through the academic ranks and attained the distinguished rank of Professor of Electrical Engineering in 2008.
His career at UNILAG has been characterized by outstanding academic and administrative contributions. He served as Director of the Centre for Information Technology and Systems and Chairman of its Management Board. He also served as Acting Head of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Sub-Dean of the Faculty of Engineering. In addition, he chaired the Faculty Examinations and Timetable Committee and the Departmental Postgraduate Committee. He also served as Secretary of the Faculty Research Committee and the Editorial Board of the Journal of Engineering Research.
Professor Mowete is an accomplished scholar and teacher who has contributed substantially to Electrical Engineering education and research in Nigeria. He has supervised several doctoral students, postgraduate dissertations and undergraduate projects. Beyond the University, he has served as Chief Examiner to the West African Examinations Council, Sole Examiner to the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Rapporteur of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Guest Lecturer at the Nigerian Army Signal School and Consultant to the National Communications Commission. He has also contributed to national educational and scientific development through assignments with the Federal Ministry of Education and the Raw Materials Research and Development Council.
Professor Mowete has published over thirty-five articles in peer-reviewed national and international journals, in addition to twenty unpublished presentations and seven monographs. Through his teaching, research, professional engagements and university service, he has made significant contributions to the advancement of engineering education and scholarship in Nigeria. He is married and blessed with children.
