Ogundipe Oluwatoyin Temitayo

Oluwatoyin Temitayo Ogundipe is a Professor of Botany in the Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos. He holds a Ph.D. Botany (Ife) and MBA (Unilag). Professor Ogundipe has attended training at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, University of Reading, U.K., University of Cambridge, U.K.; University of Johannesburg, S.A.; Harvard University, U.S.A. and Kunming Institute of Botany, China. His area of research includes, but not limited to Molecular Plant Taxonomy/Biosystematics, Forensic Botany, Cytogenetics, Ethnobotany, Paleobotany and Ecological conservation. He has over one hundred and fifty (150) publications in accredited academic journals and has co-authored eight (8) books. His research output so far has been chiefly in the areas of Molecular Plant Systematics, updating the taxonomy of some plant genera and using the anatomical features in the identification of sterile and fragmentary plant specimens. His publications show that he has been engaged in the recording of the general anatomy of plant species and assembling anatomical features, which may be used along with other features for enhancing taxonomic knowledge of the plant and establishing an identification system for some of these plant species. He has also been involved in exploration and testing of herbal drugs for their medicinal and antimicrobial properties. Also, some of his publications have shown the use of pollen and spores as sources of honeybees, in control of allergies and in determination of climate change and changes in land cover over the years.  Furthermore, he has been able to show the genetic diversity and relationships between different plant taxa, as well as assess phylogenetic relationship among plant populations using molecular techniques. He is currently involved in the Molecular Study of Arid Plants, Orchids in Nigeria, Acha plants, allergic studies etc. His Publications have been very relevant in botanical research with 370 citations from 2009 till date. He is a two-time recipient of the Faculty of Science researcher award and many other local and international awards. He has effectively supervised 18 Ph.D. and 45 M.Sc students.  As a result of his passion for his profession, Professor Ogundipe successfully transformed three empty rooms into fully equipped laboratories. He has attracted research grant from different agencies worth over N187m, $3m and £28,000. Two of his research works in collaboration with other scholars are currently undergoing the process of patenting.  Professor Ogundipe understands the need for multi- disciplinary collaboration, thus, he has been working with other scholars from different discipline within the University and other institutions locally and internationally. He is a Fellow of the Nigeria Academy of Science; Fellow, Royal Society of Biology, London; Fellow, Leadership for Environment & Development; Fellow, Linnaean Society of London; Fellow, Institute of Security; Fellow Institute of Corporate & Business Affairs Management, Nigeria; and National President, Botanical Society of Nigeria.      Since joining the University of Lagos in 1990, Professor Ogundipe has held different administrative positions. He was on time Head, Department of Botany where he introduced sweeping reforms at the Department. As Sub-Dean, Faculty of Science he began the computerization of students’ results and also attracted collaboration from multinational corporations. He later became the Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies where he attracted a lot of town-gown relationships and led the computerization of the entire process in the School. He was also the Director Academic Planning Unit and in 2016 was appointed the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics & Research). Professor Ogundipe is currently the Vice-Chancellor of the University. Since taking over on November 12, 2017, there has been a renaissance in demand driven research in the University and town-gown relationship is being renewed. Similarly, he’s been working assiduously to promote entrepreneurship amongst students of the University.