A Teacher, Scientist, Mentor & Administrator, Emeritus Professor Babajide Ibitayo Alo was educated in Nigeria, England, Canada and the USA. He holds the B.Sc. in Chemistry, Ph.D. in Chemistry and Post-Doctoral qualifications. As he undertook extensive post-doctoral work, he also served as a Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada from 1983 to 1987. He further benefited from a training programme on the Political Economy of the Environment at the then Economic Development Institute of the World Bank in Washington D.C., USA.

Over the years, he taught and carried out extensive research in Organic Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Organic Toxicants in the Environment, Climate Change Studies as well as all aspects of Environmental Management. He also acquired considerable administrative experience having served as two-term Dean of Post-Graduate Studies and later Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics & Research] at the University of Lagos [UniLag], Akoka, Lagos. He was also Managing Director of UNILAG CONSULT; Chairman of the Board of the University of Lagos Business School; and Member, University of Lagos Governing Council.

Aside from his full-time schedules at the University, Professor Babajide Alo has been pressed into service for local, national and international communities. The quite extensive roles include: Member — National Committee on Establishment of 43 Environmental Standards and Regulations for 10 Sectors in Nigeria; Expert Committee for the Formulation of the Laws for the Establishment of the National Environmental Standards & Regulatory Agency [NESREA]; Expert Committee to Establish the Environmental Impact Assessment [EIA] Decree/Act, Procedures, Guidelines & Implementation in Nigeria; Regional Coordinating Board of UNEP’s Cleaner Production Roundtable for Africa; UNESCO’s International Steering Committee for Chemistry in Africa; and the Nairobi-based International Advisory Board for I.D.R.C.’s African Technology Policy Studies Network.  

A long-time Consultant and Technical Adviser to a number of International Agencies, the Federal and some State Governments, our Celebrant was the Founder & Director and presently Board Chairman of the FEPA/UniLag Linkage Centre for Environmental Human Resources Development.

He has over 200 research publications to his name, which include the 2021-2023 Integrated Assessment of Air Pollution and Climate Change in Africa for Sustainable Development in Africa, a book he co-authored with SEI at York, UK for the African Union.

Expectedly, his professional affiliations include: Fellowships of the Nigerian Academy of Science, Chemical Society of Nigeria, Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria, Nigerian Environmental Society, and Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria. He has served as National President & Board of Trustees Chairman of the Nigerian Environmental Society; and Member of Council/Board and Chairman, Board of Fellows, Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria.

Named African Scholar of the Year by University of South Africa, Roodeport, South Africa in 2010and Nigeria’s First Distinguished Professor of Chemistry by University of Lagos in 2016, our Celebrant has been widely recognised across the world for community, national and international service.

Professor Babajide Alo’s life-long dedication and contributions to science, education, and environmental sustainability continue to inspire many, setting a bench-mark for excellence and service.

He is married with children.