Gbenro Adesina
Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde has appointed former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships), University of Ibadan, Professor Olanike K. Adeyemo as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) designate.
The announcement was contained in a letter signed by the state governor.
Adeyemo, who is a Professor of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, served as the Chairperson, Oyo State Covid-19 Decontamination and Containment Committee.
Born in Ibadan on July 17, 1970, to the family of late Alhaji Moshood Akanni Salami, Baale Ladogan of Iseyin, Oyo State and Madam Modupeola Aduke Salami of Ile-Loosare, Igbajo, State of Osun, Olanike started her primary education at LEA Primary School, Kigo Road, Kaduna (1975-1978) and later attended CAC Primary School, Sango, Ibadan, from 1979 to 1981.
She had her Secondary School education at Anwar-Ul-Islam Grammar School (formerly Ahmadiyya Grammar School), Eleyele, Ibadan where she completed her West African Secondary School leaving Certificate in 1986.
Olanike had a brief stint of Advanced Level studies at St. Annes School, Molete, before gaining admission into the University of Ibadan during the 1987/88 session to study Veterinary Medicine.
She undertook the National Youth Service Corps Scheme from June 1994 till May 1995 as a Veterinary Officer with the Safana Local Government Area, Safana, Katsina State.
After the mandatory NYSC programme, Olanike had her postgraduate trainings (MVPH and Ph.D.) at the Premier University and was employed as a Lecturer Grade II in the Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine on March 15 1999. She rose rapidly through the ranks and was promoted to the grade of Professor, effective 1st October, 2011.
Olanike Adeyemo is a woman of many Firsts. These include her pioneering role as the first female in the field of Aquatic Veterinary Medicine in Nigeria and being the first person and first female to be appointed the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research Innovation, and Strategic Partnerships) at the University of Ibadan.
She is a COMSTECH Distinguished scholar and has obtained funding /awards towards research and professional development from several organisations, including MASHAV, Israel (2005); START/PACOM, USA (2006); USDA/USAID, USA (2006); USDA/Foreign Agricultural Service, USA (2008); NUFFIC Fellowship Program Grant, Netherlands (2009); IFS, Sweden (2010-2012) and Schlumberger Foundation, USA (2013-2015); USAID (2019-2022).
She is a member of 10 Academic Societies, and is an elected Fellow of Academies of Science(s), including Nigerian Academy of Science, African Academy of Sciences, The World Academy of Sciences for the Advancement of Science in the Developing World, African Scientific Institute (California, USA), Eisenhower Fellowship Programme and Leadership for Environment and Development, UK.
She is happily married to Abiodun, a pharmacist, and the union is blessed with 3 boys and a girl.