Professor Ayodele Awojobi (1937-1984) was a brilliant mechanical engineer and inventor. He earned Bachelor's and Doctorate in London with distinction. His research focused on vibration theory and machine dynamics. He developed Nigeria's first digital vibration absorber and held over 46 patents. He invented agricultural machinery suitable for Nigerian conditions and designed Nigeria's first single-person helicopter. Beyond academics, Awojobi was a social critic writing columns challenging government corruption. He died at 47, allegedly due to medical negligence. The Ayodele Awojobi Design Competition honors his legacy, encouraging young Nigerian engineers to innovate.


ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE:
Professor Ayodele Awojobi graduated from the University of London with first-class honours in mechanical engineering and completed a PhD in record time at Imperial College, specialising in vibrations and stability of structures. By age 37 he was a full professor at the University of Lagos, inspiring legions of students with an engaging teaching style that mixed humour with rigorous mathematics.

RESEARCH AND INVENTION:
His laboratory produced breakthrough work on vibration absorbers and nonlinear system dynamics, including publications in leading international journals. Awojobi engineered AUTONOV 1, a car modification that allowed equal-speed movement in forward and reverse gears—an innovation that stunned automotive engineers in the 1970s. He also designed cassava-processing machines tailored to Nigerian rural communities.

ACTIVISM AND PUBLIC SCHOLARSHIP:
Nicknamed “The Nation’s Conscience,” Awojobi leveraged newspaper columns, television appearances, and civil society platforms to demand accountable governance during Nigeria’s turbulent 1970s and early 1980s. He championed electoral reforms, supported student movements, and offered pro-bono expertise to anti-corruption panels. His speeches blended Yoruba idioms with scientific logic, making complex policy debates accessible to ordinary citizens.

LEGACY OF INSPIRATION:
After his untimely death in 1984, colleagues and family established the Prof. Ayodele Awojobi Foundation and an annual design competition that challenges secondary and university students to solve real engineering problems. The University of Lagos named a hall of residence after him, and his textbooks remain recommended reading across West African engineering faculties.

FAST FACTS:
- Born 12 March 1937 in Oshodi, Lagos; died 23 September 1984 in Lagos.
- First Nigerian to earn a Doctor of Science (DSc) degree from the University of Lagos for work in mechanical engineering.
- Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science and the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
- Remembered for combining technical brilliance with fearless civic engagement.