Prof. Rasheed Olufemi Awodoyin, FNSPP, FECOSON

Welcome Address

The College of Plant Science and Crop Production (COPSAC) at the Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Okeho (FUNATO) offers high-quality academic programmes leading to the award of the Bachelor of Agricultural Technology (B. Agric. Tech.) degree. The college hosts four distinct but interrelated degree programmes:

1. Soil Science and Land Management
2. Crop Science
3. Horticulture and Landscape Management
4. Plant and Environmental Biology

In line with the University's commitment to producing competent, innovative, and development-oriented graduates, the College ensures that students across the various departments are grounded in a strong multidisciplinary foundation.

Vision: To be a global leader in plant science, crop production, plant health, soil health, environmental beautification and natural landscape management; To produce graduates with adequate insights to drive sustainable agricultural practices through innovative research, education, and community engagement that enhance food security and environmental stewardship.

Mission: To expand the frontiers of knowledge in plant science and crop production by providing exceptional education, conducting cutting-edge transformative research, and fostering collaboration with stakeholders. To equip students and practitioners with the skills needed to address the challenges of global agriculture and contribute to the sustainable development of communities.

Profile

Professor Rasheed Olufemi Awodoyin is a renowned Nigerian academic and researcher in the field of Agricultural Sciences, specifically Plant Ecology. He is a Professor in the Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

Professor Awodoyin's research activities have focused more on weed ecology and control, vegetation science, chemical interaction between plants (allelopathy), agro-ecology, especially utilizing nodulating legume shrubs in intensive sown fallow management. He has delivered notable lectures, including the 585th Inaugural Lecture of the University of Ibadan, titled "After Plants, It Is Plants," highlighting the importance of vegetation in human survival and ecosystem balance. His work emphasizes the need for sustainable environmental practices, stricter ecological standards, and a return to plant-based solutions to mitigate environmental crises like desertification, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

Professor Awodoyin was at the Federal School of Forestry, Jos for Ordinary Diploma in Forest Resources Management; he was in the Department of Botany, University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife for B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Botany with specialization in Plant Ecology. He obtained the Ph.D. degree in Plant Ecology at the Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, University of Ibadan.

Professor Awodoyin went through a series of training workshop with the British Council and the Open University in 2011 to be certified a National Trainer in Distance Learning. He attended the International Short Course on Allelopathy at the Higher Institute of Agronomy, Chott Meriem, Sousse, Tunisia in 2014. He enjoyed the Post Graduate Fellowship Award of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

He is a Collaborator on the project "Vegetative Propagation of Mango Rootstock" – an International Project supported by the Federal Republic of Germany Government from 1989-1990. He is a Collaborator on the European Union-INCO – Shea Butter Project on Investigation of the Ecology and Biology of parasitic plants of Vitellaria paradoxa and Parkia biglobosa. He is a beneficiary of the University of Ibadan Senate Research grant.

Professor Awodoyin belonged to the Euphorbia-hirta Research Group that created global awareness on possible therapeutic uses of the weed Euphorbia hirta (asthma plant) as an herbal intervention to treat gastrointestinal disorders (diarrhoea, dysentery, intestinal parasitosis, etc.). Professor Awodoyin is a member of the OneCG-Seed Equal Initiative, Work Package 3, for enhanced delivery of improved Seeds of Vegetatively Propagated Crops (Yam, Cassava, Banana, Sweet Potato and Potato) within an emerging formal seed system, being coordinated by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan and the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), Abuja.

Professor Awodoyin was a resource person on horticultural crop production at the Monthly Technical Review Meetings of State Agricultural Development Projects in Lagos, Ondo and Oyo States. He has supervised many students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He has produced 13 PhD graduates with three currently in progress. Professor Awodoyin is a productive researcher with 102 publications to his credit.

Academic Qualifications

• Ph.D in Plant Ecology, Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, University of Ibadan
• M.Sc in Botany (Plant Ecology), University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife
• B.Sc in Botany, University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife
• Ordinary Diploma in Forest Resources Management, Federal School of Forestry, Jos
• Certified National Trainer in Distance Learning (British Council/Open University, 2011)
• International Short Course on Allelopathy, Higher Institute of Agronomy, Sousse, Tunisia (2014)
• Citizenship and Leadership Training, Man'O War Base, Shere Hills (Course SH-203)

Professional Memberships

• Fellow, Nigeria Society of Plant Protection (FNSPP)
• Fellow, Ecological Society of Nigeria (FECOSON)
• Member, Weed Science Society of Nigeria
• Member, International Ecological Society

Notable Achievements & Recognitions

• Professor of Plant Ecology, University of Ibadan
• Delivered the 585th Inaugural Lecture of University of Ibadan: "After Plants, It Is Plants"
• Produced 13 Ph.D graduates with 3 currently in progress
• Author of 102 publications
• Certified National Trainer in Distance Learning
• Substantive Head, Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, UI
• Hall Master, Tedder Hall, University of Ibadan
• Acting Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ibadan
• Deputy Director (Crops), Teaching and Research Farms, UI
• Member, Euphorbia-hirta Research Group (global therapeutic research)
• Member, OneCG-Seed Equal Initiative (IITA/NASC collaboration)
• Post Graduate Fellowship Award, Obafemi Awolowo University

Administrative Positions Held

• Substantive Head, Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology
• Acting Head of Department
• Hall Master, Tedder Hall
• Hall Warden, Tedder Hall
• Assistant Hall Warden, Obafemi Awolowo Hall
• Deputy Director (Crops), Teaching and Research Farms
• Sub-Dean (Undergraduate-Agriculture)
• Faculty Representative on Appointments and Promotions Committee
• Representative of Congregation in Senate
• Member, Senate Committee on General Studies Programme

Departments Under This College

Contact Information

Quick Facts

Office Hours