Born on October 19 1953 in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Professor Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun attended Adesola High School, Ibadan, Oyo State, for his secondary education. He proceeded to the University of Ibadan where he obtained his Bachelor of Science (Hon.) Degree in 1975 and Ph.D Degree in 1979, both in Agricultural Biochemistry and Nutrition.

ACADEMIC CAREER
He began his academic career as a Demonstrator in the Department of Animal Science of the University of Ibadan in October 1976 and left in October 1979. He joined the services of the University of Ilorin in December 1979 where he rose from the rank of a Lecturer to become a Professor at a very tender age of 34.

At Ilorin, he served in various capacities as Coordinator, Head of Department, Farm Manager, Dean, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and also Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration). He also served as Chairman of many Senate and Council Committees.

Professor Balogun has over 60 academic publications to his credit in learned journals, books monographs and conference papers.

SCHOLARSHIPS, HONOURS, ACADEMIC DISTINCTIONS AND PRIZES
He won many scholarships, honours, academic distinctions and prizes, including being a ‘University Scholar’ at the University of Ibadan, 1973 – 1975; University of Ibadan Scholarship for First Degree, 1973 – 1975; May & Baker Prize for Best FINAL Year Student in Animal Science, 1775; Cocoa Marketing Board Scholarship, 1973 – 1979; Federal Government of Nigeria Postgraduate Scholarship Award, 1976 and the University of Ibadan Scholarship for Postgraduate Study, 1976 – 1979.

He has also bagged some titles within and outside the University among which are:

• Kwame Nkrumah Leadership Award, in Accra, Ghana (May 2010).
• Best Public Relations Friendly Chief Executive Officer in Ogun State, by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Ogun State Chapter (February 2010).
• Humanity Ambassador Award by the Nigerian Red Cross, Ogun State Branch (June 2009).
• Excellence Award in Public Service by the Department of Animal Nutrition, University of Ibadan, 2008.
• Distinguished Alumni Award, University of Ibadan, 2008

Membership of Professional Bodies

• Poultry Association of Nigeria
• American Society Of Animal Science
• Canadian Society of Animal Science
• American Poultry Science Association.

LOCAL NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SERVICES

• President, Poultry Association of Nigeria, Kwara State Branch, June, 2001 – Date
• Team Leader, Farm Assessment of Least-Cost Alternative Layers’ Freed in Kwara State (A Winrock, USA and Federal Government of Nigeria-sponsored project) April, 2002.
• Member, National Universities Commission’s (NUC’s) Accreditation Panel to the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, 1990.
• Member, Presidential Task Force on Alternative Feed Formulations for livestock, 1989 -1992. (Two Livestock Research Pavillions and equipment were endowed to the Department of Animal Production, University if Ilorin by the Presidency through the project.

• Consultant to Raw Materials Research and Development Council on the development and popularization of Least-Cost Feed formulation for livestock in Nigeria, 1989 – Date.
• External Examiner to various Universities including the University of Ibadan, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, all between 1989 – 1996.
• Member, Local Organizing Committee for the 19th Annual Conference of Agriculture Society of Nigeria hosted by Kwara State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, October 23 -28, 1983.
• External Moderator for Science Laboratory Technology, Kwara State College of Technology, 1982/1983 session.

INVENTIONS
His joint study in comparative evaluation of the nutritional values of alternative baby cereal formulae led to the development and commercialization of the popular BABENA, a baby cereal formula produced by GLAXO Nigeria Limited, Agbara.

A similar work led to the development of Least-Cost herbal vitamin pre-mixes as alternatives to imported synthetic/chemical brand. The natural/herbal vitamin pre-mixes are currently being produced on small-scale level by BALEX Feeds and are adjudge to be very effective by poultry farmers.

CAREER EXPERIENCE
He was involved in the growth and development of the University of Ilorin for a period spanning twenty-six (26) years. He was a member of the Governing Council for a continuous period of twelve years (1990 -2002) and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic (March 1998 – March 2000) and Deputy Vice-Chancellor), Administration (May 2000 – May 2002).

All these experiences garnered both academically and practically over the years in agriculture as well as administration, helped equipped and put him in good stead of becoming the fourth substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, on May 24, 2007.

PERSONAL AWARDS

• Kwame Nkrumah Leadership Award, in Accra, Ghana (May 2010).
• Best Public Relations Friendly Chief Executive Officer in Ogun State, by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Ogun State Chapter (February 2010).
• Humanity Ambassador Award by the Nigerian Red Cross, Ogun State Branch (June 2009).
• Excellence Award in Public
• Distinguished Alumni Award, University of Ibadan, 2008

SERVICE IN UNAAB
It is worthy of note that in the  first 19 years of UNAAB, 38 capital projects were constructed as at May, 2007 when Professor Balogun became its Vice-Chancellor, whereas, in just about two and a half years, he put up 41 completed and duly commissioned projects while 26 are currently under construction in the year 2010.

Professor Balogun exhibits a high capacity for fund utilization, an attribute which makes to be well respected in resource management, for which reason, the Federal Government of Nigeria compensated him in 2009 with an extra fund of N50m injected in to the UNAAB 2009 FGN Appropriation.

The Education Trust Fund (ETC) similarly compensated him 2010 with two special intervention projects for UNAAB, worth N198m.

Professor Balogun, as Vice-Chancellor of UNAAB, through his efforts, catapulted UNAAB in year 2009 to the 5th position, from oblivion, in the ranking of Nigerian Universities.

Equally worthy of mention is the geometrical increase he brought into the carrying capacity of UNAAB, which had an Admission Quota of 1,500 allocated to it by NUC in the 2006/2007 session, when he came on board to the present increased Quota of 3,000. this has led to the rise in total student population of UNAAB from 7,105 in the 2006/2007 Session to 9,383 in the current Academic Session.

Generally speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Professor Oluwakemi Olaiya Blaogun is reputed to have given the citadel of learning a monumental turn-around in all areas of academic, administrative and infrastructural development. The University under his leadership is enjoying serene academic atmosphere, wining awards and accolades, both at local and international levels.

FAMILY
The distinguished awardee is happily married to Professor (Mrs.) Elizabeth Abidemi Balogun and the marriage is blessed with children.

Your Excellencies, Mr. Chairman, ASN Members, Ladies and Gentlemen, successes of this fine gentleman have not come by accident. They have resulted from High Intention, sincere effort, Intelligent Direction, Skillful execution and his vision to see opportunities embedded in obstacles. I therefore have the singular privilege to present HIS EXCELLENCE, DR.SAM OMINYI, EGWU, the Executive Governor of Eboyin State, a distinguish administrator and an outstanding agriculturist to the President of ASN, for induction as FELLOW OF THE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NIGERIA (FASN).

Thank you, Sir.

Professor Chryss. F. I. Onwuka
Tuesday, 19 October, 2010.

ADMINISTRATIVE AND MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE DEPARTMENTAL:

• Coordination for the Department of Biochemistry, University of Ilorin (September, 1980 to March, 1981).
• Department of Biochemistry’s Representative on Faculty of Science, Staff – student Committee (1979 – 80)
• Departmental Representative on Library committee (1979/80)
• Acting Head of Department of Animal Production, University of Ilorin, (October, 1985 to February, 1986; March 1987 to 31st July, 1988).
• Head of Department of Animal Production Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ilorin (July, 1988 to July, 1989).

SENATE:

• Senate representative on Students’ Catering Committee (1985/86, 1986/87)
• Senate Representative on Ceremonials Committee (August, 1987 to 1990).
• Senate Representative on Board of Health (1987 to 1989).
• Member, Selection Board for the Appointment of Deputy Vice-chancellor (1989).
• Chairman, Business Committee of Senate (9th March, 1998 to 8th March, 2000).
• Member of Senate (October, 1985 to February 1986; 1986/87, 1987/88 session, 1988 to date.
• Chairman, Sub-Committee of Senate estimate Committee for the preparation of 2001/2001 budget.

Member & Alternate/Resident Chairman, Council Monitoring Committee on Revenue    
Yielding Outfits (July, 1997 to 8th March, 2000; May, 2000 to 22nd May, 2002).
1. The internally (Venerated Revenue of the University rose from N16m to over N200m in the five year period 1996/1997 to 2001/2002) in which I was in the saddle of monitoring extra-government fund generation for the University.
2. See annexure OOB.VPR for the views of the (Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the Visitation Panel Report into the affairs of the University of Ilorin (1999-2003), Section5.3 (\iii, i/.x), page 53 as relate to the internal revenue generation drive of the l’imersity during the period.

• Chairman, Fund disbursement for the launching of endowment and Development Fund for University of Ilorin during the Silver Jubilee Celebration. (2001-2002).
• Chairman, Council Strategic Planning Steering Committee (27th July, 2000 to 22nd May, 2002).

CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION:

• Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) (9th March, 1998 to 8th March, 2000).
• Chairman, Management Board of UniIlorin Sugar Research Institute (9th March, 1998 to 8th March, 2000).
• Chairman, Teaching and Research Equipment Grant (9th March, 1998 to 8th March, 2000).
• Chairman, Committee for the Establishment of Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) (1999).
• Chairman, Accreditation of Academic Programme Committee (1999).

• Chairman, Students and Staff Identification Committee (9th March, 1998 to 8th March, 2000).

• Chairman, Campus security Committee (9th March, 1998 to 8th March, 2000).

• Chairman Students Disciplinary Committee (9th March, 1998 to 8th March, 2000).

• Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) (23rd May, 2000 to 22nd May, 2002).
• (b a n man, Capital Projects Implementation Task Force (13th June, 2000 to 22nd May, 2002).
• Chairman, Physical Planning and Capital Works Committee (13th June, 2000 to 22nd May, 2002).

• Chairman, UniIlorin Staff Housing Loan Committee (June 2000 to 22nd May, 2002).

• Chairman, Board of Trustees for the Unified Staff Pension and Gratuity Scheme (13th June, 2000 to 22nd May, 2002).

• Chairman, UniIlorin Resources Development and Management Board (August 2000 to 22nd May, 2002).

• Chairman, Staff Disciplinary and Appeals Committee (June 2000 to 22nd May, 2002).

SERVICES TO LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITIES

• External Assessor for Readership and Professorship positions for University of Ibadan, Ibadan; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; Federal University of Technology, Akure; University of Agriculture, Makurdi; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Univrsity of Technology, Bauchi; Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho; St. Andrew College, Oyo; University of Yaounde, Cameroon.

• CONSULTANT to Raw materials Research and Development council on the development and popularization of least cost feed formulation for livestock in Nigeria (1989 to date).

• Member of Presidential Task force on alternative feed formulatuions for Livestock (1989 to 1992).

• *** Two (2) Livestock Research Pavillions and Equipment were endowed to the
• Department of Animal Production, University of Ilorin by the Presidency through this project.

• Member, NUC Accreditation Panel to University of Agriculture, Makurdi (1990).

• President, Poultry Association of Nigeria (Kwara State Branch) (June, 2001 to 2006).

• TEAM LEADER on farm assessment of least-cost alternative layers feed in Kwara State (A WINROCK of USA – federal government of Nigeria through Raw material Research Council sponsored project), April, 2002.