Professor Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe (1945-2020) was a distinguished systems engineer and education administrator. He earned a PhD from Imperial College London and became a professor at 37. Ibidapo-Obe served as Vice-Chancellor of University of Lagos (2000-2007), transforming it into a leading African institution. He was founding Vice-Chancellor of First Technical University, Ibadan. His research in systems engineering and industrial engineering earned international recognition. He served as President of the Nigerian Academy of Science and received the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM), Nigeria's highest academic honor. Ibidapo-Obe championed technical education and contributed to policy development in science and technology.


SYSTEMS ENGINEERING CHAMPION:
Professor Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe specialised in stochastic processes, control theory, and industrial systems optimisation. His research produced solutions for aviation safety, power distribution, and manufacturing efficiency.

TRANSFORMATIONAL UNIVERSITY LEADER:
As Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (2000-2007), he modernised curricula, digitalised admissions, expanded hostel infrastructure, and improved research funding. He later became founding Vice-Chancellor of First Technical University, Ibadan, championing industry-linked education.

NATIONAL SCIENCE ADVOCATE:
Ibidapo-Obe chaired presidential committees on space technology, science education, and national innovation systems. He led the Nigerian Academy of Science (2009-2013) and promoted STEM education through policy papers and mentorship.

LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE:
Posthumously, scholarships, lecture series, and the Oye Ibidapo-Obe Professorial Chair honour his contributions. His textbooks remain staples in engineering departments across Africa.

FAST FACTS:
- Born 5 July 1949 in Lagos; died 3 January 2021.
- Education: BSc and PhD in Systems Engineering from University of Lagos; postdoctoral fellow at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven.
- Honours: Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM).
- Passion: integrating academia, industry, and policy for national development.