Prof. Temitope Oloruntoba Olomola is a renowned academic, research leader, and professor of organic chemistry whose career has been marked by excellence in scientific inquiry, higher education leadership, and policy-relevant scholarship.
With over 18 years of academic and institutional leadership experience, Prof. Olomola brings deep expertise and a strong vision to Kingsgate Advisors Institute. Since joining the Department of Chemistry at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife in 2006, he has risen through the ranks to become a Professor of Organic Chemistry in 2021. His leadership within OAU has included roles such as Chemistry Coordinator for the Predegree Programme, elected member of the University Senate and Appointments & Promotions Committee, and a long-standing advocate for academic governance through his involvement in the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), where he currently serves as Vice Chairperson of the OAU Branch.
Prof. Olomola’s research focuses on developing therapeutic agents for diseases endemic to Africa, such as HIV-1, malaria, and sickle cell anaemia, through synthetic organic chemistry, with an emphasis on heterocyclic compounds and mechanistic organic chemistry. His scholarly contributions reflect a deep commitment to using science as a tool for addressing public health and socioeconomic disparities.
Beyond the laboratory and lecture hall, Prof. Olomola has demonstrated a sustained passion for science communication, youth development, and institutional strengthening. He has received several recognitions for community engagement, including the Rhodes University Engaged Student of the Year Award and the Investec Rhodes Top 100 Award. He is a former President of the Nigerian Young Academy, a Fellow of the Nigerian Young Academy, the Africa Science Leadership Programme, and the Ife Institute of Advanced Studies.
His international engagements include visiting researcher roles at the University of Southampton (UK) and the University of South Africa, where he is currently a Distinguished Researcher. He also contributes to shaping the continent’s research landscape as a facilitator of the Nigerian Science Leadership Programme and an executive member of the Africa Research Integrity Network.
At OAU, he serves on the Postgraduate Board and the Governing Board of the University’s International School, and is Editor-in-Chief (Physical Sciences) of the Ife Journal of Science.
