A renovated school library, generations of inspired scholars, heartfelt tributes from family, friends and colleagues, and a career defined by academic excellence and purposeful mentorship. These were some of the remarkable expressions of love and appreciation that characterised the retirement celebration of Professor Kehinde Ololade Olayinka, Professor of Analytical and Environmental Chemistry at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Set to formally bow out of active service upon attaining the age of 70 on Saturday, November 14, 2026, Professor Olayinka was celebrated in a particularly thoughtful manner by her mentees, in collaboration with members of her family and other well-wishers. The two-part celebration, comprising the renovation of her former primary school library and a public lecture and retirement ceremony at UNILAG, offered a fitting reflection of a life devoted to knowledge, service, research, and the development of others.
A Return to Her Roots: Honouring the Foundation of a Lifelong Journey
For Professor Olayinka, the journey of celebration began with a return to the beginning.
Taking the distinguished scholar back to her formative years, the first phase of the celebration took place at Reagan Memorial Baptist Private School, Onike, Yaba, Lagos, where she received her primary education. It was here that the young Kehinde Osipitan began the educational journey that would eventually lead her to become one of the University’s respected scholars and the first Professor of Analytical and Environmental Chemistry at UNILAG.
However, the visit was far more than a nostalgic return to familiar grounds. It was an opportunity to create a meaningful connection between the scholar’s childhood beginnings and the educational aspirations of a younger generation.
The Analytical and Environmental Chemistry Research Group (AECRG), University of Lagos, working with Professor Olayinka’s family, friends and mentees, facilitated the renovation of the school’s library in honour of the celebrant. The intervention was a thoughtful gesture that translated appreciation for an accomplished academic into a tangible investment in the learning environment of young pupils.
Serving children in Crèche, Kindergarten, Nursery, and Primary classes, the school warmly received the celebrant and the delegation that facilitated the surprise, with a welcome address delivered by one of its pupils and a special rendition in honour of the celebrant.
There was something particularly significant about the choice of the renovation of a primary school library as one of the gifts presented to a retiring professor. At a time when the academic community was reflecting on decades of research, teaching, publications, and mentorship, her mentees chose to return to the very environment where her own educational foundation was laid, improving the learning experience of children who are only just beginning their journeys.
It was a beautiful expression of the value of reaching back to one’s roots. The gesture also reinforced the importance of creating opportunities for younger generations to discover knowledge, nurture curiosity and pursue their aspirations. In honouring Professor Olayinka, her mentees extended the reach of her legacy to children whose lives may yet be shaped by the books, resources, and opportunities the renovated library will provide.
From the classrooms of her childhood to the academic community she helped build, the story of Professor Olayinka’s journey is one of growth, contribution, and the multiplication of knowledge.
Expressing profound gratitude for the surprise, Professor Olayinka reminisced on the beautiful memory of her time as a pupil in the school, noting that her mentees understood that mentoring the younger ones so that they can be excellent in everything they’re doing is so important. She went on to genuinely hope that the nation and the world will be blessed with greater individuals in life emanating from this intervention.
A Celebration of Scholarship, Service, and Mentorship
The second phase of the celebration, a Public Lecture and Retirement Celebration, was held at the Tayo Aderinokun Lecture Theatre, University of Lagos. It brought together members of the University Management, academics, distinguished guests, family members, former colleagues, professional associates, friends, and mentees to celebrate a scholar whose influence has extended across several generations.
The event also provided an opportunity to reflect on the professional contributions of the celebrant and the enduring value of mentorship in academic institutions.
In her welcome address, the Head of the Department of Chemistry, Professor Tolulope Fasina, acknowledged Professor Olayinka’s 27 years of dedicated service to the University of Lagos. Having joined UNILAG in 1999 as a Senior Lecturer after working at the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), the celebrant rose through the academic ranks to become the first Professor of Analytical and Environmental Chemistry in 2011.
Professor Fasina observed that the public lecture itself was an illustration of the celebrant’s impact, as it was organised by scholars whom she had taught and mentored at different stages of their academic development. She noted that Professor Olayinka’s investment in the growth of younger academics had yielded remarkable results, with the promise of continuing to influence the academic community and beyond.
The Dean, Faculty of Physical and Earth Sciences, Professor Olayinka Asekun, also acknowledged the celebrant’s contributions to the advancement of the Faculty and the Department of Chemistry. She highlighted Professor Olayinka’s role in championing the establishment of the Masters programmes in Analytical Chemistry and Environmental Management, initiatives that strengthened postgraduate training and expanded opportunities for specialised knowledge within the University.
Describing her as a wise strategist, Professor Asekun commended her leadership, mentorship, and commitment to the development of younger colleagues. She particularly noted the celebrant’s willingness to prioritise the growth and advancement of other members of the Faculty, several times placing their needs above her personal interests. She thanked Professor Olayinka for her years of dedication and service, assuring her that she would always have a special place in the UNILAG Science family.
A Hymn of Thanksgiving: A Tribute to Lasting Impact
The Chairman of the Public Lecture, immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe, FAS, introduced an especially memorable moment when he unexpectedly broke into the Yoruba hymn, Afọpẹ́ f’Ọ́lorun, also known in English as Now, Thank We All Our God. Singing the first, second, and third stanzas, he was joined by the celebrant, who rose from her seat in thanksgiving, while other guests followed in a collective expression of gratitude to God.
The hymn, commonly associated with naming ceremonies and thanksgiving for the gift of new life, provided a fitting reflection on the milestone being celebrated. Professor Ogundipe drew attention to the significance of retirement as the conclusion of one chapter and the beginning of another, emphasising that such occasions should inspire appreciation, reflection, and thanksgiving.
In his speech, he reminded the audience that “impact is not measured by academic publications but by the lives transformed, minds inspired, and values imparted.”
He proceeded to describe Professor Olayinka as an accomplished scholar, teacher, and mentor, particularly distinguishing her approach to mentorship from the experience of those who make professional growth unnecessarily difficult for others. In his words, “she was a mentor and not a tormentor.” He encouraged younger academics to learn from her firm but thoughtful principles of excellence, mentorship, and service.
Reflecting on her years of dedicated service, Professor Ogundipe further stated that “throughout her years of dedicated service, she exemplified the highest ideal of scholarship and professionalism. Her commitment to excellence in teaching, research, mentorship, and University service has earned her not only professional recognition but also, the affection and respect of all that have the privilege of working with her.”
Tributes from the University, Family, and Professional Community
The goodwill messages that followed further demonstrated the breadth of relationships Professor Olayinka had built throughout her life and career.
Speaking through a prerecorded video message due to official engagements away from the University, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS, congratulated the celebrant on attaining her platinum jubilee and commended her contributions to the advancement of knowledge for the benefit of humanity.
Describing Professor Olayinka as a dear friend and sister, the Vice-Chancellor acknowledged that her retirement would be personally felt and wished her a fulfilling new chapter. She prayed: “Professor Olayinka, may God continue to uphold you, surround you with love, grant you His favour, and bless you with many more fruitful and fulfilling years. May your beautiful light continue to shine brightly, as you continue to be a blessing to all that you encounter.”
The Royal Father of the Day, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Olukayode Ogunsanwo, JP (TELADE IV), Alara of Ilara Kingdom, Epe Division, and Chancellor of Lagos State University, brought a personal historical perspective to the celebration. Having known Professor Olayinka for approximately 60 years, he congratulated her on the milestone and recalled the influence she and her twin brother, Distinguished Professor Taiwo Osipitan, SAN, had on younger people while growing up.
He described the twins as forerunners whom younger generations could look up to and draw inspiration from. He consequently charged young people present, as well as the wider younger generation, to identify older people who exemplify the right values and learn from their experiences. In doing so, he noted, they would be better positioned to achieve greatness in their own time and inspire those coming after them.
One of the most touching tributes came from Emeritus Professor Babajide Alo, former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics and Research), University of Lagos, whose relationship with the celebrant spanned several stages of her academic journey.
What unfolded was a beautiful account of a mentor witnessing the retirement of a mentee whose professional journey he had helped shape. Emeritus Professor Alo recalled teaching Professor Olayinka during her undergraduate years at the University of Ibadan and subsequently encouraging her transition into academia, which eventually brought her to the University of Lagos around the time he had also moved to the institution.
He was also the founder of the Analytical and Environmental Chemistry Research Group, UNILAG, whose members took the lead in organising the retirement celebration for Professor Olayinka. His presence at the occasion therefore represented both a personal and professional connection to the legacy being honoured.
Emeritus Professor Alo encouraged the celebrant to remain active and engaged in retirement, drawing from the example of himself and other retired academics who had maintained their vitality and youthful disposition through purposeful engagement. He also commended the leadership succession and development within AECRG, expressing confidence in the capacity of its younger researchers to sustain and advance the group’s work.
The celebration, therefore, took another deeply personal turn when Professor Olayinka’s twin brother, Distinguished Professor Taiwo Osipitan, SAN, of the Department of Public Law, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, delivered his goodwill message. Sharing a particularly special bond with the celebrant, he was also approaching retirement, with both siblings scheduled to attain the age of 70 and retire from active service on November 14, 2026.
Professor Osipitan recalled his role in encouraging his sister’s transition from FIIRO into academia at UNILAG. His message was filled with affection and admiration, as he expressed his desire for her to enjoy all the good things he wished for himself. It was a poignant reminder of the value of having a companion through life’s milestones, someone who shares one’s beginnings, understands one’s journey, and celebrates one’s achievements with genuine affection.
Three Gifts, Three Expressions of Appreciation
Beyond the tributes, the Analytical and Environmental Chemistry Research Group (AECRG), UNILAG, disclosed that it had carefully planned three gifts to commemorate the celebrant’s retirement and recognise her contributions. The first was the renovation of the library at her former primary school, Reagan Memorial Baptist Private School. The second was a portrait depicting her life and achievements, which was unveiled and presented to her during the public lecture. The third was a financial gift, presented through a cheque for an undisclosed amount, to support or provide a springboard for any of her future plans as she transitions into retirement.
The thoughtful selection of these gifts reflected different dimensions of the celebrant’s life: her beginnings, her achievements, and the opportunities that lie ahead.
Members of the Analytical & Environmental Chemistry Research Group, excluding the celebrant herself, are:
- Emeritus Prof. Babajide Alo
- Prof. Olusegun Ayejuyo
- Prof. Aderonke Oyeyiola
- Prof. Temilola Oluseyi
- Prof. Rose Alani
- Dr Abayomi Akeem
- Dr Oluwatoyin Fatunsin
- Dr Fausat Afolami
- Dr Najeem Oladosu
- Dr Bilikis Folarin
- Dr Olumide Akinrinade
- Dr Oluwaseun Anselm
- Dr Hamed Musibau
- Dr Idera Fabunmi
- Dr Rotimi Oyebisi
- Dr Moyo Ogunyemi
- Mrs Folake Echebiri
- Mrs Omolola Adeyeye
- Ms Deborah Olatunji
- Ms Olanike Ogundipe
Beyond Environmental Monitoring: Building a Sustainable Environment
The intellectual dimension of the occasion was further enriched by the Guest Lecture titled, Beyond Environmental Monitoring: Advocacy, Policy, and Governance as Pillars of a Sustainable Environment, delivered by Hon. Rasheed Adebola Shabi, Member, Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Lagos Mainland Constituency II, and former General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).
The lecture examined the relationship between environmental monitoring and sustainability, with particular attention to the roles of advocacy, environmental policies, legislation, governance, and institutions in achieving a sustainable environment. It also considered the challenges affecting environmental sustainability, especially in Lagos State, and explored strategies for strengthening advocacy, policy implementation, and environmental governance.
A central message from the lecture was that a sustainable environment must be deliberately built, rather than merely analysed. While environmental monitoring provides the scientific evidence needed to understand environmental conditions and identify pollution challenges, translating such knowledge into meaningful outcomes requires three complementary pillars.
- Advocacy, which creates awareness and generates public demand for environmental responsibility.
- Policy, which provides direction through standards, regulations and incentives, and
- Governance, which ensures that commitments are translated into accountable implementation and measurable delivery.
The lecture thus reinforced the importance of connecting scientific research with public engagement, effective regulation and institutional responsibility. It also underscored the need for sustained collaboration among researchers, policymakers, government institutions, and citizens in addressing environmental challenges.
For a scholar whose professional life has been dedicated to analytical and environmental chemistry, the subject was particularly relevant. It provided a wider context for appreciating the importance of research that goes beyond identifying environmental pollutants to informing decisions, influencing policy, and contributing to the protection of public health and the environment.
The Scholar Behind the Legacy: Professor Kehinde Ololade Olayinka, FRSC, FIPAN, FCSN
At the heart of the celebration, however, was the woman whose life and contributions had brought everyone together.
Born to the late Chief Bayo Osipitan of Ijebu-Oru and the late Mrs Modupe Osipitan (née Runsewe) of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Professor Kehinde Ololade Olayinka began her educational journey at Reagan Memorial Baptist Primary School, Yaba, Lagos, before proceeding to Queen’s School, Ibadan, where she studied from 1970 to 1974. She completed her A’ Levels at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, between 1974 and 1976, and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of Ibadan in 1979.
Following her National Youth Service Corps programme in Kaduna State from 1979 to 1980, she pursued postgraduate studies in Analytical Chemistry at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where she obtained her master’s degree in 1982 as the best student in her cohort. Her academic journey culminated in a PhD from Greenwich University, London, in 1988.
With over 44 years of professional experience spanning Analytical and Environmental Chemistry, Professor Olayinka built a career around the analysis of food, air, water, and soil, as well as the assessment of environmental pollutants and their potential risks to human health.
Her professional experience included service at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), between 1982 and 1999. At FIIRO, she contributed to research and development initiatives involving the processing of local tomatoes, extraction of natural sweeteners, and colours from indigenous plants, and the treatment of industrial waste effluents using environmentally friendly local materials.
Her transition into academia at the University of Lagos in 1999 marked the beginning of another significant chapter. Appointed Senior Lecturer, she rose to the rank of Professor of Analytical and Environmental Chemistry in 2011, becoming the first Professor in the field at the University.
Throughout her academic career, she taught thousands of students, supervised hundreds of undergraduate research projects and more than 180 master’s projects, and mentored PhD researchers in Analytical and Environmental Chemistry. Her influence on postgraduate education was particularly evident in the five mentees who joined the Department of Chemistry as academics, with three attaining professorial status in their own right.
She also designed and pioneered postgraduate curricula in Analytical Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry and Environmental Management in 2002. These programmes have since produced hundreds of graduates who have gone on to contribute to different fields of human endeavour.
Her research contributions are equally significant. With over 87 peer-reviewed journal articles to her credit, her work has addressed the accurate determination of pollutants in food and environmental systems, the identification of chemical species, their bioaccessibility and bioavailability, and their potential health implications. Her research has also explored statistical analysis, modelling, and remediation of environmental pollutants, including studies on potentially toxic metals, anthropogenic hydrocarbons, and persistent organic pollutants in the Lagos Lagoon.
In the area of chemical safety, she led a team of colleagues in the Department of Chemistry to produce TETFund-supported educational materials on Chemical Security and Safety in Laboratories, comprising an instructor’s guide, a student workbook, and presentation slides. These resources have contributed to teaching and promoting awareness of chemical safety in tertiary institutions and other chemical-related organisations.
Her service to the University extended beyond teaching and research. She served as Head of the Department of Chemistry from 2009 to 2012 and was the pioneer Chairman/Director of the Dr D.K. Olukoya Central Research Laboratory from 2013 to 2019, where she worked to promote access to and utilisation of its facilities and equipment across different faculties.
She also served on the Boards of UNILAG Ventures and the University Health Centre, as well as several Senate committees. Through UNILAG Consult, she led and participated in consultancy engagements, while her professional involvement in the Equatorial Africa Deposition Network connected her to collaborative environmental research involving 12 African countries.
A recipient of at least 15 research grants from local and international organisations, including the Royal Society of Chemistry, TETFund, the University of Lagos Central Research Committee, and the Lagos State Research and Development Committee, Professor Olayinka has received recognition for her research contributions at national and institutional research fairs.
She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, United Kingdom (FRSC, C.Chem.), the Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (FIPAN), and the Chemical Society of Nigeria (FCSN), among other professional affiliations.
“You Are My Legacy”: The Fulfilment of a Dedicated Mentor
Yet, for all the academic credentials, research grants, publications and institutional responsibilities, one of the most moving aspects of the retirement celebration was the celebrant’s reflection on the people whose growth had become an enduring source of fulfilment to her.
In her appreciation remarks, Professor Kehinde Olayinka expressed profound gratitude to the AECRG, her family, mentors, mentees, friends, former colleagues, and professional associates who contributed to making the occasion memorable. She acknowledged the presence of her secondary school classmates from the 1970–1974 set of Queen’s School, Ibadan; former colleagues from FIIRO; and representatives of Vitabiotics, among others, who made time out of their busy schedules to celebrate with her.
Specially appreciating her mentor, Emeritus Professor Babajide Alo, she recalled their shared contribution to the supervision of eight PhD candidates who have gone on to achieve significant professional accomplishments.
Turning to her PhD mentees, she expressed the depth of her fulfilment in seeing them grow into accomplished academics and professionals. In words that captured the essence of her approach to mentorship, she declared: “You are my legacy and I’m so happy and proud of you all. When I see you excel in the world, it gives me so much joy.”
She recalled that five of her mentees joined her in the Department of Chemistry, University of Lagos: Professor Aderonke Oyeyiola, Professor Temilola Oluseyi, Professor Rose Alani, Dr Akeem Abayomi, and Dr Oluwatoyin Fatunsin. She noted that her other mentees were making meaningful contributions across different parts of the world, particularly in universities within and outside Nigeria, consultancy practices, and Federal Government agencies.
Reflecting on the extent to which her mentees had replicated the values and knowledge imparted to them, she said: “I feel very fulfilled that I have reproduced myself several times over.”
Her appreciation also extended to her husband, Rev. Michael Oladipo Olayinka, whose companionship and support had sustained her through the different seasons of her career and family life. In a heartfelt tribute, she said: “My dear husband, no one can run this long journey alone, …you were my strength and prayer support. Thank you for your patience, your love, and sacrifice.”
She also thanked God for her children and grandchildren, whose physical presence throughout the full-day celebration was a particularly pleasant surprise.
A Legacy That Continues Beyond Retirement
Indeed, the atmosphere of the occasion reflected the warmth of a woman whose life had touched people across different generations and spheres of influence. From the primary school pupils who welcomed her, to the scholars who acknowledged her mentorship, the colleagues who celebrated her professional contributions, and the family members who shared in her joy, the day offered a compelling portrait of the many ways in which a life of service can leave its mark.
As Professor Kehinde Ololade Olayinka prepares to conclude her active service at the University of Lagos, her retirement is not an end to the relevance of her work or the influence of her scholarship. Rather, it marks a transition into another chapter, with decades of research, institutional service, professional relationships, and nurtured academic talent continuing to speak to the value of her contributions.
The renovated library at Reagan Memorial Baptist Private School will serve as a reminder that the journey of knowledge often begins with the opportunities made available to a child. The scholars she mentored will continue to teach, research, and nurture others, while the programmes she pioneered and the institutional structures she helped strengthen will remain part of the University’s academic development.
Perhaps the most fitting measure of Professor Olayinka’s legacy is found in the very words she shared with her mentees. For a scholar who has spent decades imparting knowledge, the fulfilment of seeing those she taught excel is a reward that no retirement milestone can diminish.
At 70, Professor Kehinde Ololade Olayinka leaves active service with a distinguished record of scholarship, excellence, and institutional contribution, but also with something equally enduring: a community of people whose lives and careers bear the imprint of her investment in them.
Her years of service may be drawing to a close, but the knowledge she imparted, the opportunities she helped create, and the people she nurtured will continue to carry her legacy forward.
Click the links to the videos below (Video 1 & 2 links) for highlights of the 1st and 2nd parts of the celebration.
Author: Nike Ogunshakin
Photography: Ayomide Oloyede and Oluwatobiloba Gisanrin
Videography: Goodnews Dosumu and Nike Ogunshakin
Video 1 Link: https://youtu.be/9N0u-T83VGY
Video 2 Link:
