BY LEVI JOHNSON
It was an avalanche of goodwill messages from eminent persons within and outside the University Community on the reappointment of Prof Adedeji Daramola, Professor of Architecture as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics of Caleb University, Imota, Lagos.
Chief Edwin Clark, CON, a foremost Nigerian leader, a brilliant legal luminary, and Chancellor of Caleb University took time out of his busy schedule to personally congratulate Prof Daramola on his confirmation for another tenure as Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics. The highly respected nationalist said inter alia “My beloved Deputy Vice-chancellor, I congratulate you on your reapportionment as Deputy Vice-chancellor Academics by Caleb University, the good news did not come to me as a surprise because you merited it. You are competent, honest, dedicated, humble, loyal to the University. May the Almighty God guide and protect you, give you the strength, courage, and wisdom to perform your duties. Thank you and God bless.”
In a similar vein, Dipo Ojedeji, one time Secretary to the Board of Trustees, Caleb University, congratulated Prof Adedeji Daramola. He remarked “Congratulations on the renewal of your appointment. May the Lord bless you with more wisdom to excel beyond the thought of man.”
Also, Mr Oritseweyinmi Boyo, Vice Chairman, – Caleb University Parents Forum [CUPF] was full of praises for the global Prof as he is fondly called “What a wonderful and great blessing to have this renewal of the reappointment and tenure as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor in Charge of Academics [DVC, Academics], Prof Adedeji Samuel Daramola for a second term in office. The Dedication and Ability that got you here will continue to serve you well as you move along your path. Success is yours Sir”
Prof Adedeji Daramola was first appointed as Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Caleb University in 2019.
He was the former Rector of Redeemer’s College of Technology and Management (RECTEM), Mowe, and the first Professor of Architecture in the world with a specialization in Nomadic Housing. He was born on the 30th June 1962 in Ipe-Akoko, Akoko South-East Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria. He had his primary education in St John/Mary’s Demonstration School Owo (1967-1972) and later proceeded to Owo High School, Owo (1973-1977) for the West African School Certificate. In 1978, he attended St John/ Mary’s Teacher Training College, Owo.
Prof Daramola was a recipient of the prestigious World Bank Study Fellowship for multidisciplinary doctoral research at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. He holds a National Diploma in Architecture in 1982 from Owo Polytechnic, Owo (Now Rufus Giwa Polytechnic). He obtained both a Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Architecture from the University of Jos, Nigeria in 1986 and 1988 respectively. He proceeded to the University of Ilorin, Nigeria where he had a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Housing from the Department of Geography in 2003, with specialization in Nomadic Architecture. Professor Daramola was a Visiting Research Scholar at the Centre for Architectural Research and Development Overseas (CARDO), School of Architecture, the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom in 1995.
Inquest for international work experience as an architect, he was a visiting Architect with one of the foremost architectural firms in the United Kingdom – FaulknerBrowns Architects, Killingworth, Newcastle Upon Tyne, the UK in 1996. At FaulknerBrowns Architects, he had international exposure to architectural practice in the United Kingdom as well as exposure to Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and Architects Registration Council United Kingdom (ARCUK) professional practice standards in United Kingdom and Ireland. He participated in the Master plan and Design of Royal Quays project along River Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom and in the design of Royal Quays factory outlet project – comprising of retail outlets of varying sizes, cafes, restaurants and children’s play area, adjacent to River Tyne, Killingworth, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK 1996.
He is a Registered Architect with the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON), a member of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (MNIA), a member of the International Energy Foundation, (MIEF) Canada, a member of the Association of Architectural Educators of Nigeria (MAARCHES), a member, European Network of Housing Researchers (ENHR), Sweden, The International Network for Traditional Building, Architecture & Urbanism, (INTBAU) the United Kingdom. Prof Daramola currently serves at the International Advisory Board of the International Energy Foundation in Canada.
At the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), Prof Daramola is one of the Accredited United Nations Human Settlement, (UN-Habitat) Agenda Distinguished Partners. He is a recipient of several grants on cities and management both at local and international levels. In 2008, he led the team of the Ogun State government to the fourth session of the United Nations Habitat World Urban Forum in Nanjing China. Under the auspices of the Institute of Environment Research and Development, In 2010, Prof Daramola led another team from Lagos State Government to the fifth session of the WUF in Rio Janeiro, Brazil. In 2012, he organised the participation of the Zamfara State Government of Nigeria in the 6th session of the UN-HABITAT World Urban Forum in Naples, Italy. In 2014, at the 7th session of the UN-HABITAT, World Urban Forum in Medellin, Columbia, he orchestrated the City of Calabar, Nigeria as an organic city full of traditional and vegetational values.
Prof Daramola has carried out extensive research on Housing, Energy Development, Climate Change, Cities and Historical Heritage in the Built and Sustainable Environment. He was a consultant to the UN-Habitat on the preparation of the Structure Plan for the cities of Okene, and Kabba in Kogi state of Nigeria where preservation of historical heritage sites was prominently celebrated.
He was indeed the first researcher around the world to carry out a study on the housing scheme for the nomadic peoples and specifically on the Fulbe nomads in Nigeria, the result of which formed his doctoral thesis. He has addressed and presented his research findings at various global fora which include the world body of architects, International Union of Architects, (UIA) in Turkey, Commonwealth Architects Association (CAA) and Africa Union of Architects, (AUA). He has visited scores of the leading schools of architecture across the globe. In 2007/2008, Prof Daramola was an external supervisor to the School of Architecture and Design, Howard University, USA. He is a reviewer of several international journals and assessors to several institutions.
He has published widely in a number of reputable journals. On the national level, Professor Adedeji Daramola pioneered a number of institutions. In 1994, he coordinated the establishment of the School of Architecture in the Federal University of Technology, Yola. He was the pioneer Head of the School of Architecture in Covenant University, Nigeria (2003-2006). He was the pioneer Executive Director, Institute for Environment Research and Development (IERD), (2007- 2009). In 2009, Prof Daramola
was the pioneer Head of School of Architecture, Bells University of Technology, Ota (2009 -2013), and moved to Caleb University, Lagos to commence the post-graduate School of Architecture (2013-2016).
As a contribution towards providing sustainable solutions to the intractable housing deficit in Nigeria, Professor Adedeji Daramola facilitated a Multibillion Naira (1000 Units) Affordable Housing units funded by the Family Home Funds Ltd in Nigeria providing affordable housing at Green Pastures Housing Scheme Project at Igbo-Iwaju, near Mowe, Ogun state – Nigeria. This initiative has brought to the limelight his skills in low-cost architecture.
In view of his versatility, Professor Daramola has attracted a number of grants locally and internationally and was listed in International WHO’S WHO of Professionals, 2012 by International WHO’S WHO Historical Society, Pennsylvania, and Washington USA, as well as International Educator of the year, 2009, by International Biographical Centre of Cambridge, England.
As the Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Caleb University, he has served creditably as a bridge-builder and a creative leader and mentor to many scholars. As a Professor of Architecture, Caleb university currently has one of the most viable schools of architecture in Nigeria. At the international level, Prof Daramola as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor chaired an international conference committee that organised a very successful hybrid conference with lead participants from four continents around the globe with personalities from Africa Development Bank, Lincoln University, UK, Internationales Steuerrecht, Austria, Stanbic Bank Group, University of Westminister, London, international Development Strategy office, USA, Wits University Centre for Health Economics, Johannesburg among others.
He is currently co-opted as a member of a collaborative Research Project on Architectural Pedagogic Education (ARCH4CHANGE project): Sustainable Housing Design Research group (ASUTUT) for a Finnish University and two universities in West Africa. Prof Adedeji Daramola is an accomplished scholar, university administrator and professional in the field of Architecture.
He is happily married to Pastor (Mrs) Oyindamola Daramola a counsellor by profession. The marriage is blessed with children.