Fountain University, Osogbo, has announced the promotion of a lecturer in the College of Chemical and Applied Sciences, Kazeem Alabi, as professor.
The 53-year-old academic, who joined the university in 2011 as a young lecturer, was announced on Monday as the institution’s pioneer Professor of Organic Chemistry, crowning his 14 years of academic service at the university.
The university’s governing council announced in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, Taoheed Alimi, noting that the promotion marks the peak of the professor’s academic career.
The statement reads in part: “The Governing Council of Fountain University is pleased to announce the promotion of Dr Kazeem Adelani Alabi to the rank of Professor, effective immediately.”
Felicitations
Top members of the university management, including the Vice-Chancellor, Olayinka Karim, a professor, and the Registrar, Sherrif Adenekan, have formally congratulated the new professor on his academic feat.
The vice-chancellor commended Mr Alabi for his record of academic discipline, even as she prayed for divine blessings, wisdom, and guidance as he assumes new academic responsibilities.
On his part, the registrar, who doubles as the secretary to the university’s governing council, said the elevation reflects Mr Alabi’s “outstanding contributions” to Organic Chemistry and his commitment to the university’s growth.
Other members of the university community have also extended their goodwill.
Family hails Alabi
The leadership of Awoleye Alabi Memorial Foundation (AWAMEF), a socio-economic and development forum founded in memory of Pa Jinadu Alabi, late Jagun of Ilobu, headquarters of Irepodun Local Government Area of Osun State, has described the new professor’s feat as inspiring and a worthy legacy of the late patriarch of the family.
The AWAMEF Chairman, Mr Hassan Alabi, commended the professor for his years of sacrifices and what he described as sustaining the family’s ethical and professional growth and development.
Sharing the news on the family’s WhatsApp platform, Oluwole Alabi, a gynaecologist, said he was delighted to share the message with the family members.
“Congratulations to him as we all rejoice with him as he reaches the zenith of his academic ladder,” Mr Alabi wrote.
A flood of messages soon followed as members of the foundation, both young and old, extoled the virtues of the new professor, describing him as a worthy role model and a good ambassador of the family.
I’ve never regretted being one of you- Alabi
In his response to the goodwill messages, the new professor thanked members of the family for their constant support and encouragement in his journey to the peak of his career, saying, “I am always happy and grateful to belong to this great family — the Alabi family. Alhamdulillah. Not for once have I ever regretted it.”
He added: “Regarding this achievement, it is truly a joint effort. If not for your prayers, kindness, and support, it would not have been possible. For this, I say Alhamdulillah. To my younger ones, I hope this serves as an inspiration to you all. The sky is not your limit; it is only the beginning of what you can achieve through hard work, dedication, and prayer. I say Jazakum LLAHU khayran to everyone of you.”
About Alabi
Born on 3 March 1972 in Ilobu, Osun State, Mr Alabi is a scholar of organic and industrial chemistry whose career spans teaching, research, and academic leadership.
He earned his PhD in 2016 in Organic Chemistry from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, where he had earlier completed his M.Tech (2010) and B.Tech (2001) in Industrial Chemistry. His academic journey began with a National Diploma in Science Laboratory Technology from Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, in 1995.
Mr Alabi joined Fountain University in 2011, where he has taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses in organic chemistry, spectroscopy, petroleum geochemistry, separation techniques and experimental chemistry. He has supervised 17 undergraduate projects and several postgraduate theses, including ongoing doctoral research in phytochemical applications.
He has published widely in local and international journals, with works featured in Springer, De Gruyter, and academic presses abroad. His research contributions cut across natural product chemistry, reaction mechanisms, dye synthesis, bioactive compounds and computational chemistry. His studies on plant-based colourants and bioactive compounds continue to influence green chemistry scholarship.
Beyond the classroom, Mr Alabi has held key leadership roles, including Acting Head of Department, Acting Director of Sub-Degree Programmes, and Chairman of various committees on research, student discipline, equipment verification, and university ventures. He has served as a reviewer for scientific journals and represented the university at various academic fora.
His community service includes leadership roles within the Fountain University Muslim Community, cooperative societies, and educational committees in Ilobu.
A member of the American Chemical Society and the Chemical Society of Nigeria, he continues to contribute to national academic development through examining, mentoring and accreditation-related engagements.
About Fountain University, Osogbo
The Fountain University Osogbo (FUO) is an Islamic faith-based tertiary institution established by the Nasrul-Lahi-Il-Fatih Society (NASFAT) of Nigeria in 2000 and licensed in 2007. The institution offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across Management and Social Sciences, Health Sciences, and Natural and Applied Sciences, while upholding Islamic ethics and discipline.