Today, as the gentle, ancient sun rises over the hills of Iloko-Ijesa and over all of Ijesa land in Osun State, Nigeria bids a final farewell to a titan of science, an erudite scholar, and a true patriot, Professor Olusuyi Odeyemi, OFR. A man who dedicated his life partly to fully tapping the power of solar energy among other scientific feats for the benefit of humanity. Born on January 19, 1946, in Iloko-Ijesa, his life, which spanned nearly eight decades, testified to unwavering dedication, groundbreaking innovation, and selfless service. His passing on March 6, 2025, at his country home, leaves a void that will be keenly felt by his family, mentees, and indeed, the entire nation.
In my time as the editor of Weekend Concord Saturday, newspaper, I had the privilege of interviewing Professor Odeyemi in 1990, a year he fondly described as “lucky.” And indeed it was. After years of dedicated service as an Associate Professor, September 1990 saw him elevated to Professor of Microbiology at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, where he also assumed the role of Vice Dean in the Faculty of Science. This crowning achievement was swiftly followed by the prestigious Science and Technology Merit Award for excellence in agriculture—an award that, for many, was the national equivalent of the Nobel Prize for Science. He was, as I noted then, one of the “hundreds of unsung Nigerian scientists tucked away in the ivory tower laboratories, striving in their own way to push Nigeria into the era of industrialization.”
Professor Odeyemi was a scientist who consistently scored a string of firsts. He was the pioneer Nigerian scientist to devise a laboratory technique for measuring the relative volumes of biogas (methane) produced by various organic wastes. This was no small feat; it laid the groundwork for his groundbreaking work in converting organic waste into energy. He was the first Nigerian scientist to construct a cooking gas generator from such organic wastes, creating four types of biogas plants adaptable for household, laboratory, village community, and even commercial use. His foresight in sustainable energy solutions earned him the well-deserved title of Nigeria’s pioneer biogas inventor.
Beyond biogas, his ingenuity extended to solar energy, where he was the first in Nigeria to demonstrate the efficacy of using sunlight to disinfect water in transparent containers. These innovations, though impactful, were not what ultimately earned him the 1990 Science and Technology Merit Award. That honour was bestowed upon him for his monumental work on Rhizobial inoculant.
For almost 15 years, Professor Odeyemi embarked on a meticulous quest, traversing the length and breadth of Nigeria in search of productive bacteria, scientifically known as Rhizobium inoculant, from the roots of legumes. This arduous search, which he likened to finding a needle in a haystack, culminated in the collection of some 200 diverse bacterial samples. Through a rigorous three-stage assessment process—in the laboratory, greenhouse, and finally, the field—he successfully identified four superior strains capable of producing high-quality protein.
His work did not stop there. He then tirelessly searched for suitable carriers to package these beneficial bacteria, again travelling across Nigeria and testing 20 different materials. Ultimately, he found three excellent carriers: peat from the Niger Delta, lignite from Benue, and sub-bituminous coal from Enugu. This breakthrough meant that these biofertilizers could be mass-produced and easily applied by farmers, leading to a remarkable 40 per cent increase in legume crop yields—a technology with immense implications for food security in Nigeria and other developing nations.
Professor Odeyemi’s academic journey began with a B.Sc. in Soil Science from the University of Ibadan in 1970, followed by M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Agronomy and Microbiology from Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, by 1976. His Ph.D. thesis, patented in 1976, earned him the Most Valuable Thesis Award at Cornell. His deep-rooted commitment to education saw him serve as Head of the Department of Microbiology, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Science, and Dean of Student Affairs at OAU, where his mentorship shaped countless minds.
His leadership extended beyond OAU. In 1993, he was appointed the pioneer Rector of Osun State College of Technology (OSCOTECH), Esa-Oke, a position he held until 2000, where he laid a robust foundation for practical and technological education. He further served as Chairman of the Governing Council of Igbajo Polytechnic, demonstrating his unwavering dedication to advancing technical education.
His expertise was globally recognised, leading to consultancies with the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Abuja; United Nations University (UNU), Tokyo; UNESCO; UNEP; FAO; and Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC). For his immense contributions to national service, he was rightfully honoured with the Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) in 1999.
Beyond his scientific and academic pursuits, Professor Odeyemi was a fervent advocate for environmental conservation. His role as Director of ENPOST Forest Reserve, an agroforestry and biodiversity farm and ecotourism site in Ilesha, stands as a living testament to his commitment to sustainable environmental practices. He was also deeply involved in community development, serving as President of the Ijesa Progressive Council and Chairman of the Iwude-Ijesa Planning Committee. His desire to effect change even led him to contest for the governorship of Osun State.
In a poignant 2023 interview, Professor Odeyemi recounted a life-altering stroke he suffered in church, which confined him to a wheelchair. Yet, even in adversity, his spirit remained unbroken, expressing profound gratitude for life and the unwavering support of his beloved wife, Mrs. Omolara Odeyemi, with whom he had five sons. He always shared his scientific glories, giving immense credit to his students and ex-students who assisted him in his research.
As we lay Professor Olusuyi Odeyemi to rest today, we celebrate a life truly well-lived—a life that epitomized dedication, innovation, and service. His legacy endures in the institutions he built, the scientific advancements he pioneered, and the countless lives he touched and inspired.
The funeral service takes place today at Methodist Church, New Iloko Ijesa Road, Iloko Ijesa, Osun State at 10am. Reception follows immediately at Royal Park International Hotels & Resort, Iloko Ijesa.
May the noble soul of Prof Olusuyi Odeyemi, OFR, find eternal rest in perfect peace.