Dr. Olagoke Olabisi

Professor Olagoke Olabisi has played a remarkable role in the acquisition, digestion, advancement, and dissemination of technical knowledge globally.  A consummate mentor, he has been an exemplary chemical engineer providing dynamic goal-oriented leadership and creative vision in the wide-ranging practice of engineering in Nigeria, USA, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. Now an independent consultant in Sugar Land, Texas, he is still waxing strong after three decades of a distinguished career.

Born in Osogbo, Osun State, Olagoke earned the Cambridge Overseas Higher School Certificate at Government College Ibadan (GCI), in December 1964 and, passed the University of London GCE (A/L) Examinations in January 1965 with distinctions. He won a 4-year full scholarship to study Chemical Engineering at Purdue University under the auspices of African Scholarship Program of American Universities (ASPAU) in 1965 and received BS, ChE and BS, Industrial Management, on graduation in 1969. His graduation also came with an exceptional distinction; he was awarded the “Clarence Lottes Memorial Prize as the Most Promising Young Chemical Engineering Graduate”. Olagoke proceeded to the University of California, Berkeley, where he received the MS degree in ChE in 1971.  He earned the PhD degree in Macromolecular Science and Engineering at Case-Western Reserve University in 1973. Olagoke joined the R&D Department of Union Carbide Corporation in August, 1973. His very first assignment eventually resulted in the publication of the pioneering book entitled “Polymer-Polymer Miscibility” (Academic Press, 1979), which he co-authored with two of his colleagues. Through his original R&D efforts, Olagoke invented several processes for which eight global patents were granted.

In 1983, Olagoke decided to take an early retirement from Union Carbide to become a professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Lagos. His primary focus was chemical engineering education in terms of teaching, research, and public service. His research interests were centered on technology adoption/adaptation for the exploitation of local raw materials for national industrialization, state and rural development. In 1985, Olagoke was appointed the Foundation Dean of Engineering, Technology and Environmental Sciences (FETES) at Lagos State University, where he established several engineering departments. Based on the strategic plan outlined in his plenary paper entitled "Rural Technology Industries" presented at the "Integrated Rural Development Seminar" at Badagry in May 1987, the Center for Rural Development (CERUD) was established at LASU by the Lagos State Government. 

He returned to UNILAG in October 1987 and became the Head of Department of Chemical Engineering in 1988.  In 1989, Olagoke became the Managing Director, UNILAG Consult, where he was responsible and accountable for the optimum diversification of the university's consultancy business portfolio.  He organized a world-class “National Workshop on Economic Recovery Programme”, whose speakers were drawn from Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The 5-volume proceedings of the workshop were distilled into a workable Master Plan, which was eventually acted upon by the Federal Executive Council.  By 1990, UNILAG Consult was executing a variety of client-funded engineering and socio-economic projects utilizing the pool of expertise within the university.  Clients included private/public companies, United Nations Organizations (UNO), ECOWAS, government and non-government organizations. Under his leadership, UNILAG Consult recorded a remarkable success and made significant contributions to the revenue base of the students, staff and the university.

A few of the Nigerian Boards/Committees/Groups/Panels of which Olagoke was a member and/or chairman are: (1) Technical committee on the proposed Oyo State University of Technology (now Ladoke Akintola University of Technology), (Oyo State Government) (2) Multi-disciplinary task-force on raw materials for domestic and industrial plastics, rubber, and coatings sector (Raw Materials Research & Development Council) (3) NUC panel on academic standards for engineering and technology (Nigeria University Commission, NUC) and (4) Tertiary textbook writing group (Chemical Engineering Department, UNILAG). For his innovative contributions to technological processes abroad and in Nigeria, Olagoke was awarded the “Honorable Minister of Science and Technology Merit Award for Excellence in the Field of Engineering and Technology” in 1989. In spite of his diverse responsibilities and busy schedule, Olagoke continued to be active in the chemical engineering department.  He incubated a scheme to find overseas post-graduate fellowship to brilliant UNILAG chemical engineering graduates. Overall, seven Nigerian chemical and mechanical engineering graduates earned their PhDs through Olagoke’s scheme at the University of Akron or Case-Western Reserve University.

In November 1990, Olagoke joined the Research Institute of the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran, Saudi Arabia as Professor and Senior Research Engineer.  His sojourn at KFUPM resulted in many publications including his second co-authored book entitled “Thermoplastics beyond the Year 2000: a Paradigm” (KFUPM Press).  In an open competition for Saudi Arabia national and expatriate residents, Olagoke won a Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) Prize for the “New Concepts and the Best Idea of Using Plastic Materials in New Applications” under the auspices of SABIC.  His consulting activities for SABIC resulted in US patent 6,184,428(2001)entitled “Catalyst and Process for Ethylene Oligomerization” issued to SABIC.

Olagoke resigned from KFUPM in 1996, and joined Saudi Aramco, as an Engineering Specialist, Materials Engineering & Corrosion Control Division. Consulting Services Department. His third book entitled “Handbook of Thermoplastics” (Marcel Dekker, Inc.) was published in 1997. His company-wide consulting activities also earned him two awards.  In 2001, he was awarded the “Saudi Aramco Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Achievements in Engineering & Operations Services” and in 2003, he was awarded the “Saudi Aramco Certificate of Recognition for Contribution to the Building of a Research Paradigm Team in Research & Development Center”.
Olagoke retired from Saudi Aramco in September 2003 and started his own independent consulting company (http://home.houston.rr.com/olagokeolabisi/). He is currently on a full-time consulting contract serving as the Technical Director, Corrosion Engineering at Corrpro Companies, Inc. Houston, Texas.
Tributes to Prof. Olagoke Olabisi

Olagoke Olabisi (Goke) first assignment at Union Carbide after graduation from Case Western University with a PhD in Polymer Science was in the emerging field of polymer blends. His pioneering work on polymer blends culminated in coauthoring a seminal book on the subject titled "Polymer-Polymer Miscibility". One of his inventions, which had some commercial activity, was a unique structural foam injection molding process.  It was my pleasure to work with Goke, and I consider him one of the brightest chemical engineers I've met.  He is well deserving of the honor bestowed on him by the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers. Dr. Lloyd M. Robeson Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
Dr. Olabisi was the founder of the Non-Metallic Group in Saudi Aramco. He has inspired a lot of us by his mentoring. He is a great role model and contributed tremendously to the development of Non-metallic application in Saudi Aramco and the Oil & Gas industry in general. Dr. Olabisi ranks among the very best teachers that I have ever known.
Dr. Gasem Fallatah (PhD Newcastle University, 2006) former mentee

Prof. Olabisi is an intellectual giant whose professional accomplishments transcend national boundaries, and are only matched by his capacity to empower others through the realization of their academic potential and professional aspirations. He is yet to meet any Nigerian that he’s not willing to lend a helping hand. Adeniyi Lawal, Professor

Prof. Olabisi's academic and professional achievements
span over different continents. His contributions to the development of younger generations and his active support in enabling them to achieve professional success both in Nigeria and internationally are laudable.
Ahmad A. Shittu PhD, Nortel Networks Corporation, Ottawa, ON Canada.(Colleague at King Fahd University of Petroleum & Mineral, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia)

Dr. Olabisi introduced me to Polymer Physics in 1988 and encouraged me to pursue a Ph.D. He was equally very supportive of my transition to the financial industry. Prof. Olabisi is a blessing to me and to a lot of other young Nigerians. Adeyinka Adedeji, PhD, Group Head - Business Transformation,
Strategy & Business Transformation, United Bank for Africa

I have known Dr. Olagoke Olabisi on a personal level to be a caring individual and unique person. He is the kind of person that paves ways for others towards the path of success irrespective of their background or affiliation. Gbolarumi Adebayo, PhD

Dr. Olabisi had a stellar and enviable career in academia and industry spanning many years in many countries. He is a teacher, a researcher, a manager, an administrator, an inventor, an editor, a consultant, an advisor, a mentor, and an author. Domasius Nwabunma, Ph.D.

I met Prof. O. Olabisi in 1986 at the Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria, where he was the foundation Dean of the School of Engineering. Held in high regard by his international colleagues, he is one of the greatest polymer scientist and educator to come out of Africa. I was honored to contribute a chapter on poly(phenylene) sulfide in one of his books titled “HANDBOOK OF THERMOPLASTICS”.
Gabriel O. Shonaike, PhD, C.Eng,Sr. Scientist Market Molecule R&D Group Solutia Inc

Professor Olabisi attended Government College Ibadan for the two-year Higher School Certificate course where he demonstrated high performance.  Later as a Professor of Engineering and  Managing Director of  Unilag Consult,  he demonstrated excellence in  entrepreneurship by leading the business unit of University of Lagos to profitability. Ayo Olagundoye, (Classmate at Government College, Ibadan.)

Prof. Olagoke Olabisi is a distinguished scholar and an accomplished manager. He has earned many honors, awards and recognition both nationally & internationally. As a person, Prof Olabisi is a good family man, totally committed to his wife and children.  He is ever willing to serve. He is forthright and when he holds a contrary view, it is with respect & understanding.
Professor Gani Ladipo MBChB,FRCPC,FACP,FACC,FMCP(Nig),FWACP

Dr Olagoke Olabisi is a distinguished and prolific scholar, a dedicated academic, an accomplished researcher, a thorough engineer, a true leader and motivator of men, an outstanding manager of resources and quintessential gentleman. Oludotun Dosunmu, Ph.D University of lagos

Dr. Olabisi is unique among his peers as evident in the breadth and depth of his accomplishments, leadership and service. Despite many successes, he remains humble, active and gracious. To me, as to many others, he is a friend, a mentor and a worthy role model.