Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka is a distinguished Nigerian geophysicist and academic whose career has combined scientific research, university leadership and research management. He served as the 12th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan from 2015 to 2020, following a long academic career at the institution, including 25 years as a full professor.
He holds a PhD in Geophysics from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom. His expertise spans applied geophysics, groundwater exploration, mineral resources and environmental investigations. He has published extensively and contributed to postgraduate research and the development of scientific scholarship.
Professor Olayinka has held prominent leadership roles, including Chairman of the African Research Universities Alliance and membership of the Council of the Association of Commonwealth Universities. He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science and a Chartered Geologist and Chartered European Geologist. His work is relevant to research innovation and academia–industry collaboration.