About Prof. Ajayi Folorunsho
Professor Folorunso Abiodun AJAYI is a Professor of Agricultural Entomology/Cropb Protection with over forty years’ experience in the field of Crop Protection. He holds a Bachelors of Science (B.Sc. [Hons.]) in Agriculture [1991] from University of Maiduguri; Masters of Science and Ph.D. in Crop Protection [1996 and 2000, respectively] from University of
Maiduguri, Borno State. Prior to all these, he had obtained a Diploma in General Agriculture [1980] and Higher Diploma in Crop Protection [1983] from Samaru College of Agriculture, Division of Agricultural Colleges, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
He finished his primary and secondary education in 1972 and 1977, respectively. He was born on the 29th December, 1959 to the family of Late Pa J. O. Ajayi and Late Deaconess F. E. Ajayi. He is from Ijero-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Prof. Ajayi started his working career with the former Federal Department of Pest Control Services (FDPCS [now Federal Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development]) in 1981 as an Assistant Agricultural Superintendent. He was on Federal Government Fellowship study leave for his Higher Diploma between 1982 – 1983 and on completion of the course participated in the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) between March, 1984 to early February, 1985 in Kaduna state.
Prof. Ajayi left the services of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in November, 2002 as a Principal Agricultural Superintendent I after 22 years to join the services of Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK) as a pioneer staff (among the first two staff employed) to establish the Faculty of Agriculture (Shabu-Lafia Campus) in January, 2003.
He was acting Head and Head of Department of Agronomy of the Faculty for 8 years, served as Deputy Dean for 5 years and was a two term Dean of the Faculty. He also served as two term Director for Centre for Sustainable Agriculture Rural Development (CSARD), Faculty of Agriculture (Shabu-Lafia Campus), NSUK and also served as the Director, Centre for Agriculture and Rural Development Studies (CARDS), Faculty of Agriculture, Federal University of Lafia while on sabbatical appointment.
Upon transfer of service to Federal University of Lafia, he has been appointed the Director of Centre for Agriculture and Rural Development Studies (CARDS) for a two year term (1st June, 2024 – 31st May, 2026). He was appointed as a Professor of
Agricultural Entomology/Crop Protection on October 1st, 2008.
Prof. Ajayi has published widely in peer-reviewed articles in reputable journals both at home and abroad, and contributed papers to national and international conferences. He was the Editor– in–Chief of NSUK Journal of Science and Technology; and a reviewer of manuscripts
for many reputable local and international journals. He is a Fellow of Entomological Society of Nigeria (FESN) and Fellow Agricultural Society of Nigeria (FASN); and he belongs to other professional organizations. He is a winner of National Research Fund (NRF) grant under the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND).