By Ronke Kehinde/
When Professor Adedeji Bodunde Badiru speaks, his words carry the authority of decades in global academia and the weight of a man deeply committed to his roots. The Dean Emeritus of the US Air Force Institute of Technology has built an illustrious career across continents, but his heart never left the streets of Epe, Lagos — where his journey began against all odds.
From starting primary school at the age of nine with no knowledge of the alphabet or numbers, to graduating from St. Finbarr’s College with a Grade One distinction, Prof. Badiru’s story is one of grit, resilience, and divine providence. A Nigerian government scholarship opened the door to study in the United States — an opportunity he has never taken for granted.
“I went on a Nigeria Government Scholarship, so I owe the country something,” he says. “I am paying back through people.”
Promises Unkept
Over the years, Prof. Badiru has invested his time, resources, and expertise to uplift Nigerian academia. One of his proudest initiatives is an annual award for the best graduating Systems Engineering student at the University of Lagos, funded through his personal foundation.
Yet, despite signing a contract and providing the prize money, the award has not been implemented for two years. For him, this is more than a minor disappointment — it’s symptomatic of a wider culture of unfulfilled promises.
“It’s embarrassing,” he says, “and an example of why Nigerian institutions must be true to their words.”
The frustration didn’t stop there. In May, he shipped four suitcases of brand-new books from the United States for the Lagos State University (LASU) Epe campus — at his own expense. Two months later, the books still haven’t reached their destination.
“I brought the books to the Vice Chancellor’s office at the Ojo campus. They said it would take a week or two to get them to Epe. Two months later, the books are still not there,” he recounts.
A Call for Accountability
For Prof. Badiru, these setbacks highlight a fundamental truth: “You can be world-class if you actually do what you promise.”
His belief in accountability is not new. In 1993, as a United Nations consultant to Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Industry, he was tasked with overseeing the nation’s Industrial Development Centers (IDCs).
What he found was a system rife with untapped potential — and occasional deception. Some centers, when expecting visits from high-ranking officials, would “borrow” equipment from private enterprises, set them up temporarily, and present them as their own.
Determined to uphold transparency, he reported his findings to the UN and recommended halting further funding until accountability was assured. The UN could not freeze allocations, but the experience solidified his lifelong commitment to systems thinking and transparency.
Building Skills for the Future
Beyond awards and donations, Prof. Badiru is developing the Epe Welding Institute, part of the proposed Epe Technical Training Institute. The aim is to bridge the gap between theory and practice in vocational and engineering training — a gap he first identified during his UN consultancy work.
His motivation is simple: multiply the good he has received.
“Those I have mentored and supported have gone on to do marvelous things for others. That is how I want to be remembered,” he says.
Four Visits in One Year
In an era where many in the diaspora remain detached, Prof. Badiru stands apart. This year alone, he has made four trips to Nigeria, underscoring his belief that giving back is not optional but a responsibility.
To young Africans, his advice is clear: “Expand your mind. Respect people from all walks of life. Be positive. Opportunities come disguised — when one knocks, don’t just open the door, go out and grab it.”
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You can imagine someone bought books with his personal money brought them to Lagos campus and for them to take it down to Epe ,it’s taking longer time. How many hours will it take them to get to Epe from iyana iba ,latest 4hours. This is part of what we are saying about our country Nigeria. That kind of attitude is on call for and accountability is very good.