Prof. Moji Taibat Bakare-Odunola

Professor Moji Taibat Bakare-Odunola was born on October 2^nd 1960 and raised in the town of Offa in Kwara State Nigeria to the family of Alhaji Yusuf Akano Bakare.

After graduating from Offa Grammar School in 1978, Professor Moji Taibat Bakare-Odunola proceeded to the University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri where she earned a B.Sc. in Biochemistry in 1984.  She then headed to Ahmadu Bello University Zaria for a Masters degree and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in 1987 and 1992 respectively.

Professor Moji Bakare-Odunola started her academic career from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria in 1987 as an Assistant Lecturer and rose to the rank of Professor in 2006. Within this period she excelled in her duties as a lecturer supervising undergraduate and postgraduate students. After serving the Ahmadu Bello University for twenty-five (25) years, she transferred her services and wealth of experience to the University of Ilorin in 2012 specifically at the Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry. Her dedication to the mandates of teaching, research and community service is evident in the mentoring of students and colleagues, research output and community responsibilities.

Administratively, she has been the Acting and substantive Head of the Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry; has been President, Science Association of Nigeria (SAN) in 2016 as the second female president of Science Association of Nigeria (SAN); and Coordinator, African Centre for Herbal Research, Ilorin (ACHRI). She is the first female to occupy the office of the Dean, Postgraduate School, University of Ilorin. She achieved this feat in the year 2021. She was appointed as the pioneer Director, Centre for Management and Leadership, University of Ilorin in 2023. She is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities Taskforce Working Group (Finance and Funding), Chairperson of Offa Professors’ Forum and a founding member of Offa Ladies Professional Forum.

Prof. Bakare-Odunola is a member of several academic and professional societies. She is a Fellow of Science Association of Nigeria; a Fellow of Public Analysts of Nigeria; and a Fellow of Chartered Institute of Management and Leadership, Commonwealth of Kentucky, USA. She is also a life member of West African Society of Pharmacology and a member of Board of Trustee of StandTall Africa Initiative.

Professor Bakare-Odunola has published academic books and papers in reputable national and international journals and has also attended and presented papers at conferences and workshops within and outside Nigeria. Her research output is manifested in her nomination for research grants either as the principal investigator or as member of a team of her peers from such bodies as Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund); National Research Fund; and MacArthur Post-doctoral Grant for Research. Currently, she serves as a Consultant for the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB). In addition, she serves as assessor, reviewer and also member of Editorial Boards of many university journals within and outside Nigeria. She is a recipient of several academic, professional and religious awards in line with her sterling qualities and immense contributions to academia and societal development at local, national and international platforms.

Professor Moji Taibat Bakare-Odunola is happily married to Dr. Rasheed Odunola and they are blessed with children.

Prof Moji Bakare-Odunola is the Chairperson of Offa Professors’ Forum.