Professor Matthew Olusoji Ilori FAS, received a PhD in Microbiology from the University of Lagos in 1998. His main research efforts are on the microbial production of industrial enzymes; biodegradation of crude oil & recalcitrant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; heavy metal biodetoxification, bio-decommissioning of PCB contaminated soils; pesticides biodegradation; metagenomic profiling of bacterial communities; molecular characterization of microbes and their spoilage risks to museum books and artifacts; bacterial bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass to chemicals, organic acids & biofuel; whole genome sequencing and annotation of PCB degrading bacteria; mobilization & expression of catabolic plasmids in heterologous hosts and production of microbial biofertiliser for enhanced growth of crops.  Professor Ilori is a recipient of many awards including UNESCO Fellowship in Biotechnology, Alexander von Humboldt (AvH); Royal Society; Fulbright Research Fellowship and DAAD International Deans' Course Fellowship. Professor Ilori has received Research Gants in millions of Naira, Dollars and Pounds from organisations which include TETFund, Lagos State Research and Innovation Council, UNILAG Central Research Committee, ASTON University, etc. Professor Ilori has 178 publications comprising of 125 journals, 3 books and 50 conference papers. He has supervised 17 PhDs. Professor Ilori, a member of the Governing Council of the University of Lagos, is the Director of Academic Planning and was formerly the Director of the Institute of Maritime Studies. He has also served as the Dean of Faculty of Science, Director of the Centre for General Studies and Acting HOD of Microbiology. Professor Ilori is married to his heartthrob, Monisola, and blessed with children.