Lateef Sanni, FUNAAB graduate and former DVC emerges Executive Director, NSPRI

Professor Lateef Oladimeji Sanni, a great Alumnus of the prestigious Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta has been appointed as the Executive Director of Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), Ilorin.

The appointment of Prof Latteef Sanni by the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development , Dr Muhammad Mahmood Abubakar was contained in a statement released by Kayode Aiyedogbon, the Head, Protocol and Publicity of the Council.

According to Aiyedogbon, Prof Sanni emerged through a rigorous and thorough process. In his words, : ” As what can be termed to be the climax of the recruitment exercise which commenced a few months ago, througha rigorous and thorough process, today the Honourable Minister of Agrciculture and Rural Development , Dr. Muhammad Mahmood Abubakar has graciously approved the appointment with immediate effect”.

Prof Sanni is a former National President of the FUNAAB Alumni Association and current Amir of the University Muslim Community. He served as the Secretary of the electoral body that midwifed the first set of Students Union Executives of the University. He is a classical example of town and gown as he is the current Mogaji ( a prestigious traditional title) of Olukunle Compound, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Lateef Sanni is a Professor of Food Science and Technology at the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta Nigeria. He has excellent teaching, research and outreach experience in value chain development. He displays integrity, industry and emotional intelligence in diverse and cultural environment. He is a passionate mentor, coach and role model to upcoming early career experts.

Prof Lateef Sanni had prior to this current appointment served as the Deputy Vice- Chancellor, Development, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. He is the current Chairman, Governing Council of Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora, Oyo State, Nigeria, Immediate Past President, International Society for Tropical Root Crops (African Branch) and President, International Society for Tropical Root Crops.

Lateef Oladimeji Sanni graduated from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Nigeria with Second Class Upper Division in the Department of Food Science and Technology in 1990. He obtained Master and PhD Degrees in the Department of Food Technology, University of Ibadan in 1993 and 1999. He joined FUNAAB in 1993 as Assistant Lecturer, became Professor of Food Science and Technology in 2008, presented his inaugural lecture in 2015 and became Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development) in 2017. He won the 2008 Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Award Regional Technology Development in Sub Saharan Africa(http://www.cgiar.org/newsroom/scientific.html).

 He has over 32 years’ experience in research, consultancy and collaborations as a postharvest expert on tropical root crops mostly implemented by the International Institute of Tropical Root Crop and Natural Resources Institute, UK. He is a project leader to multi-million dollar EU/Gates Foundation sponsored projects since 2008 till date. He served as resource person for World Bank upscaling of flash drying experience in West Africa. He was the Principal Investigator, Food Developers Initiative and Food Science and Nutrition Network sponsored by Association of African Universities. He is the Vice Chair Steering Committee of the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development, and former National President, Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology.

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 He has mentored over 20 junior academics across three continents. He has trained well over 100 BSc, 30 MSc and 18 PhD graduates with well over 100 scientific publications in National and International Journals, Proceedings, reports, reviews, and books. He was a former Editorial Member, International Journal of Food Science and Technology and reviewer to many journals at National and international levels.

Prof Sanni has history of midas touch that hopefully should transform the Research Institute and reposition it towards meeting the goals and aspirations of the Institute. His wealth of experience should stimulate congenial relationship between all stakeholders, ValidViewNetwork reports.