Most Rev. (Prof.) Adebayo Akinde at 80: A Life of Scholarship, Technology, Faith and Service

By GN (Dr.) Kayode Elusoji

Tributes, expressions of gratitude, and national accolades have poured in from Nigeria and the Diaspora to honour Most Rev. (Prof.) Adebayo Dada Akinde as he celebrates his 80th birthday.

Scholars, religious leaders, public servants, professionals, and former students have united to celebrate an extraordinary life that has bridged scientific innovation, academic excellence, Christian ministry, and transformative leadership.

Leading the tributes is GN (Dr.) Kayode Elusoji, Executive Director of the Great Nigerian Assembly (GNA) and an alumnus of the Department of Computer Science at the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University. In his tribute, Elusoji celebrates Prof. Akinde as one of the most consequential mentors of his life, crediting him with teaching lessons that extended far beyond the classroom.

Born on August 25, 1946, in Kaduna, Prof. Akinde has devoted more than four decades to advancing higher education, technology, scholarship, and Christian leadership in Nigeria. After completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Ife, he pursued advanced postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom, including at University College London and the University of Sussex, where he obtained specialised qualifications before returning to Ile-Ife.

At the University of Ife, he joined the academic community and distinguished himself through teaching, research, university administration, and intellectual development. He eventually served as Head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, contributing to the development of electronics, electrical engineering, computer science, and computing in Nigeria.

As one of the pioneers associated with the development of computing in Nigeria, Prof. Akinde’s expertise extended beyond the university environment. His reputation for intellectual depth and integrity led to his appointment as Special Adviser on Information Technology to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, placing his technical knowledge at the service of national policy and development.

Parallel to his distinguished academic career, Prof. Akinde answered the call to Christian ministry within the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion). Ordained into the priesthood in 1979, he subsequently served as Provost of the Cathedral Church of St. Peter in Abeokuta.

His ecclesiastical journey reached another significant milestone in 2006 when he was consecrated as the pioneer Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos Mainland. His leadership and pastoral contributions later saw him rise to become Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos, where he provided spiritual and institutional leadership to millions of faithful before his retirement from active episcopacy.

In his anniversary tribute, Dr. Elusoji reflected on the remarkable convergence of Prof. Akinde’s academic and spiritual journeys. He noted that the professor’s life challenges the notion that intellectual excellence and deep spiritual faith are mutually exclusive.

Elusoji recalled how, as a Computer Science undergraduate at Ife, he was entrusted with responsibilities that stretched him beyond his perceived limits. Those experiences, he said, became early lessons in leadership and character.

“You did not merely teach me Computer Science, Sir. You introduced me to leadership,” Elusoji wrote.

He further described Prof. Akinde’s philosophy of leadership as one grounded in the conviction that intellect must be accompanied by character and authority by service.

The tribute also connects Prof. Akinde’s pioneering contributions to computing with contemporary efforts to deploy digital technology for governance and community development.

Elusoji highlighted the Great Nigerian Assembly’s Coverage Area Administrator (CAA) Governance Model, currently being piloted in the Ife Local Governments, as an example of how a new generation is applying technology to governance, citizen participation, infrastructure monitoring, and community development.

“The student who came to Ife to learn is now returning to Ife to build,” Elusoji wrote, describing the development as a continuation of the intellectual foundation laid by Prof. Akinde’s generation.

As the octogenarian marks this milestone, current and past students of Computer Science and Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, the University Community, the wider Great Ife global family, members of the Anglican Communion, and the Great Nigerian Assembly family across Nigeria and the Diaspora join in celebrating his remarkable life.

Prof. Akinde is being honoured as an icon of scholarship, a pioneer of Nigerian computing, a proud alumnus and servant of Great Ife, an adviser to the Presidency of Nigeria, a mentor of leaders, a shepherd of God’s people, a bishop and archbishop, and a bridge between faith and technology.

Above all, his 80th birthday celebrates a life whose impact continues to live in other people.

Happy 80th Birthday, Daddy. Congratulations, Sir, and many happy returns!