Confirmed as Full-Fledged Professor
The Federal University of Technology, Minna on Thursday played host to its 124th Inaugural Lecture, as Professor Luqman Oyekunle Oyewobi delivered a thought-provoking discourse on the state of Nigeria’s construction sector, famously describing it as “an ailing elephant” in urgent need of strategic reform.
The lecture, titled “The Nigerian Construction Industry: The Ailing Elephant; A Menu of Cure,” drew an audience of academics, industry experts, and policymakers, all converging to interrogate the structural and systemic challenges confronting one of Nigeria’s most critical economic sectors.
Speaking in his capacity as Professor of Quantity Surveying (Construction Economics and Management), Oyewobi presented a robust and data-driven diagnosis of the industry. He identified persistent inefficiencies, weak regulatory enforcement, and poor project delivery mechanisms as major impediments to growth and optimal performance. “The Nigerian construction industry is too significant to fail, yet too neglected to thrive,” he asserted, calling for “a deliberate and coordinated menu of reforms” encompassing policy restructuring, capacity building, and strengthened accountability frameworks.
The occasion also marked the formal confirmation of Professor Oyewobi as a full-fledged professor, a significant academic milestone that underscores his enduring contributions to research, teaching, and professional practice within the built environment.
University officials and colleagues described the honour as well-earned, pointing to his extensive scholarly footprint, leadership within academia, and measurable impact on the construction industry.
Professor Oyewobi’s rise to prominence is a compelling narrative of resilience and determination. Born on December 1, 1974, in Okaka Town, Oyo State, Nigeria, his early educational journey was marked by financial hardship.
At a critical point, he was forced to suspend his education and briefly worked as a bus conductor. However, through perseverance and family support, he returned to school and emerged as the overall best graduating student of Okaka Community Grammar School in 1991.
His academic brilliance continued at the tertiary level, where he consistently distinguished himself. Notably, he made history as the first First-Class graduate in Quantity Surveying at FUT Minna; an achievement that laid the foundation for his academic career, culminating in his appointment as an Assistant Lecturer in 2007.
He later obtained a PhD in Construction Economics and Management from the University of Cape Town and has since built an impressive academic portfolio, with over 150 scholarly publications and multiple international recognitions, including honours from the West African Built Environment Research community.
Beyond scholarship, Professor Oyewobi has demonstrated strong leadership within and outside the university system. He currently serves as Chairperson of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at FUT Minna and has contributed significantly to institutional governance and academic development.
A member of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors and a registered professional with the Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria, he continues to shape standards and best practices within the profession.
His teaching philosophy anchored on innovation, practical engagement, and real-world application has earned him admiration among students and peers alike.
In his closing remarks, Professor Oyewobi emphasized the urgent need for collective responsibility in repositioning the construction industry as a catalyst for national development.
“The solutions are within reach,” he concluded, “but they require collective will, professional integrity, and sustained commitment.”
The resounding applause that followed not only acknowledged the depth of his lecture but also celebrated a scholar whose life exemplifies perseverance, excellence, and service.