Professor Rasaki Afolabi Lasisi, better known as Fola Lasisi was born on 23rd February, 1943 in Odosenlu-Alaro, near Ijebu-Ode, in Ijebu North - East Local Government Area of Ogun State. He attended Yaba Technical Institute for Secondary Education where he finished with distinction in June, 1962. He was awarded the African Scholarship Program of American Universities (ASPAU) in July, 1963 to University of Washington, Seattle to study Civil Engineering and graduated in June, 1966, spending only three years. He completed the Master’s degree in Structures, with a University of Washington Fellowship, a year later in 1967. He later proceeded to the University of Wisconsin, Madison, sponsored by the University of Ife and USAID in 1972, where he obtained a Ph.D. degree in Agricultural Engineering in 1974. He became a Professional Engineer (USA) in 1972 and a Registered Engineer (COREN) in 1974.
Between June, 1966 and September, 1969, Prof. Lasisi worked as design Structural Engineer with Marshall, Barr & Pacquer, Inc. Seattle, Washington. He returned to Nigeria in October, 1969 to join the University of Ife as Lecturer II. He rose through the ranks to become a Professor in October, 1984. At Ife, he was an Acting head of Department between 1977 and 1981; served in many committees, especially those involved in the development of the campus. He was a member of the committees that developed the Agricultural and Civil Engineering Programmes. He was Chairman, UNIFECS-O.A.University Consultancy Services- 1989 to 1992.
Prof. Lasisi became a member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers in 1975, and its Fellow in 1989. The O.A.U., Ile-Ife Branch of NSE, was established with the help of Engr. Ven. P. B. Oyebolu under the leadership of Late Engr. Prof. V. A. Williams and Prof. Lasisi became the First Branch Chairman between 1983 and 1985. He has been a Council Member of NSE and Technical Secretary of the Civil Engineering Division. It was his recommendation as a member of the Membership Committee of NSE that led to the establishment of the Life Membership Programme. He was also the Coordinator of the NSE and COREN examination centre at Ile-Ife for many years. Prof. Lasisi has acquired a wealth of professional experience in Construction, Engineering Design and Analysis, some of which include:
(i) Structural Analysis and Design of Steel and Concrete parts of Industrial Buildings and Bridges, Wood Design applied to Buildings, especially Dwelling and Paper Factories, Port, etc. in the USA and Nigeria.
(ii) Engineering Design and Construction of 18 Projects at the Obafemi Awolowo University, in Lagos (University of Lagos, Faculty of Science, Private Companies and Individuals).
Prof. Lasisi has published extensively in national and international journals, covering Studies on use of Local Materials in Construction, Structural Analysis and Engineering Designs. He has been an External Examiner at University of Ibadan; Lagos; Ilorin; ABU, Zaria; UNN, Nsukka, Rivers State University; etc. He has served on National Committees on Code of Practice for Engineering, Code of Design for Highways, the Nigerian Standard Organization, Special Demolition Programme of Large Structures in Lagos, etc. He has been Chairman of Ogun State Agricultural Development Corporation, a Member of Council of Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro; and currently a Council member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM).
Prof. Lasisi was the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State for two terms (1991-2000). He was also the Pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Crescent University, Abeokuta (2000-2007). He was Chairman, Committee of Vice – Chancellors of Nigerian Universities 1996-1997. He is a Fellow of various professional bodies including Nigerian Society of Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers, Nigerian Institute of Agricultural Engineers and the Nigerian Academy of Engineering; in addition to membership of others.
B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D., engineer, university teacher, academic administrator; b:February 23, 1943, ht: OdosenluAlaro, Ijebu-Ode, so: Ogun; m: Monica; nc: four children, ed: University of Washington Seattle, Washington State, USA, 1963-66; University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA, 1972-74; cr: Agricultural Training Officcr-in-Training, Federal Ministry of Works and Surveys, Lagos, 1962-63; asst Structural Engineer, Marshall, Barr and Pacquer, Inc. Seattle, Washington, USA, 1966; Structural Engineer, Marshall, Barr and Pacquer, Inc. Seattle, Washington, USA, 1967-69; Lecturer II, University of Ife, Ilc-lfe (now Obafemi Awolowo University), 196972; Lecturer I, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, 1974-76; snr. Ucturer, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, 1976-81; ag. Head of Department, 1977-82; prof, vice-chancellor. University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, 1984; ch. Obafemi Awolowo University Consultancy Centre, 1990-91; Ogun State Agricultural Development Corporation, Abeokuta, 1989-91; mm: Federal Polytechnic Council Ilaro, 199093; International Association of Housing Science, USA, Sigma XI, Scientific Research Society of America, USA, Forest Product Research Society, USA, Science Association of Nigeria, Nigerian Agricultural Society, American Concrete Institute, USA, American Society of Agricultural Engineers, USA; f. Nigerian Society of Agricultural Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers, USA; Nigerian Society of Engineers, publ: Engineering Properties and Strength of Materials. UNESCO, 1992. tt: Odosenlu, 1989; Ijcbu-ode, 1991; IheredemUyo, 1995.
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