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Things to Know About Late Prof. Abdulganiy Raji

Professor Abdulganiy Olayinka Raji was a professor in the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Technology, University of Ibadan. Over the course of his career, he was involved in teaching, research, professional engineering practice, community service, and public administration. He contributed to academic development, professional bodies, faith-based organisations, and national service through various appointments.

1. He was born to the late Alhaji Raji Sanusi of the Edigbo family, Isale Afon, Ogbomoso, and Alhaja Raji in 1965.

2. He graduated from the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, University of Ibadan, in 1989 with First-Class honours and also obtained his MSc from the same university.


3. He obtained his PhD in computational techniques in agricultural engineering from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne.


4. He joined the University of Ibadan as Lecturer II in 1993 and was promoted to the rank of Professor in 2010.


5. On Thursday, 9th January, 2025, he delivered the 572nd Inaugural Lecture and the 20th in the 2024/2025 academic session on behalf of the Faculty of Technology. The lecture was titled “Consulting E-oracle for Food Security and Sustainability”, in which he advocated for the use of digital and information technology for food sustainability and national development.


6. Professor Raji made outstanding contributions to teaching, research, and the mentoring of generations of students.


7. He was the co-developer of the Akinolu-Raji image processing algorithm for forensic face recognition, a significant contribution to biometrics using computer programming principles.


8. He was a registered engineer (COREN) and a member of professional bodies including NIAE, NSE, ASABE, and NIFST.


9. His research interests included the engineering properties of plant and animal materials, systems modelling of agricultural systems, discrete element modelling of the engineering properties of agricultural materials, and the application of artificial intelligence and machine vision in agricultural processing and storage.


10. His fields of specialization included agricultural storage and processing engineering, mechanisation, systems modelling, and information and communication technology (ICT).


11. Beyond academics, he was involved in significant public service, having been appointed as Resident Electoral Commissioner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and serving as REC in Ekiti, Ogun, and Osun States.


12. He made significant contributions to the University of Ibadan Muslim Community (UIMC), where he was actively engaged in religious and welfare activities.


13. He held various leadership positions within the Muslim community, both locally and in the diaspora, including Ameer of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, University of Ibadan (MSSNUI) and National Officer of the Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS).


14. He returned to his Lord on Friday, 19th December, 2025, in his hometown, Ogbomoso, and was buried on Saturday, 20th December, 2025, according to Islamic rites.


Professor Abdulganiy Olayinka Raji is survived by his wife, children, colleagues, and associates. His academic work, professional service, and public contributions remain part of his record and legacy.

May Allah forgive his shortcomings, accept his noble acts of worship, grant him eternal peace in Al-Firdaws, preserve the wonderful legacies he left behind, and comfort his family and loved ones. Aamin.