Prof. Adesoji A. Oni

Prof. Adesoji Oni, an eminent figure in the field of education, holds the distinguished position of Professor in the Department of Educational Foundations at the University of Lagos, Nigeria. His expertise lies in the intricate field of Sociology of Education, where he imparts knowledge spanning from undergraduate to postgraduate levels, including Philosophy of Education and Comparative Education.

In the illustrious year of 2022, Prof Oni achieved a pinnacle in his career by receiving the prestigious Shining Star Achievement in Research Award from the Noam Chomsky Global Connections Award. Bestowed by The Society of Transnational Academic Researchers (Star Scholar Network), this award is a celebration of scholarly excellence that transcends disciplines and languages, underscoring Prof Oni's exemplary publications in scholarly journals, books, and collaborative scholarly endeavors.

On the 26th of December 2020, Prof. Oni's brilliance was further recognized as he was inducted into the International Educators Hall of Fame, USA, receiving the Distinguished Inductee recognition from the United States Congress (House of Representatives) on December 27, 2020.

Prof. Oni's academic journey has taken him to esteemed institutions worldwide, including a tenure as a Rooney International Visiting Scholar at Robert Morris University, Pennsylvania, USA, from 2018 to 2019. In earlier years, from 2003 to 2004, he served as a Fulbright Visiting Scholar at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, USA, showcasing his commitment to fostering international academic exchange. Contributing to global collaboration, he participated as a Visiting Scholar in the African-Korean Education Collaborative Exchange Programme at Pusan National University, South Korea, in January 2015.

Among his accolades is the title of Most Accomplished African Educational Researcher in 2014, a prestigious award from the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA)/African Development Institute (ADI)/Korea Trust Fund.

Prof. Oni's dedication extends beyond the academic realm. He served as a Consultant to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum on Education Expenditure and Institutional Review and remains a regular consultant to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in Abuja. His consultancy also reached international levels, acting as a consultant to UNESCO Africa and contributing as an External Evaluator of the Japan-UNESCO Project on Empowerment of Women and Girls in Marginalized Communities for Better Well-Being through Education and Advocacy in Bauchi, Delta, and Gombe States, Nigeria (April-May 2022). Additionally, he was a consultant to UNESCO Africa Abuja project on the development of a fundable proposal on Out-Of-School-Children in Nigeria. Prof. Oni proudly serves as the Education Lead Expert to NATCOM UNESCO, Nigeria, and also a regular consultant to Nigeria Governor’s Faorum, UNICEF, Nigeria Port Authority.

His awards and recognitions include the 2006 Winner of the Fafunwa Educational Foundation Award for the Best Ph.D. Thesis in Nigerian Universities Faculties of Education and the recipient of the 2008 $10,000 Text Book Writing grant for a Textbook titled "Teacher Education Systems in Africa in the Digital Era," sponsored by the Council for the Development of Social Science in Africa (CODESRIA) in Senegal. He was awarded the Most Principled Lecturer in the Faculty of Education, University of Lagos, by the Nigeria University Education Students Association (NUESA), UNILAG Chapter in 2011. Additionally, he received the Award of Excellence as Outstanding Educator in Nigeria in 2013 from the Nigerian Education Times.

In 2015, Prof. Oni was granted a $5,000 research grant by African Minds South Africa to conduct a study titled "The Effectiveness of Students’ Involvement in Decision-making and University Leadership: A Comparative Analysis of 12 Universities in South-West Nigeria." Delving into the heart of his research, Dr. Oni focuses on critical areas such as social problems in education, social change, teacher education, and the study of social deviances and disorganizations in education, particularly addressing students' secret cults in Nigeria. His impactful work comprises of over 180 publications, including chapters in books and articles published in national and international learned journals.

His international academic papers grace the pages of reputable journals worldwide, showcasing his influence from the USA, India, and South Africa to Uganda, Ghana, Malaysia, UNESCO (France), Japan, Botswana, Switzerland, Cote d'Ivoire, the Philippines, Bulgaria, Turkey, the Netherlands, Senegal, South Korea, Poland, Spain, Tanzania, Canada, Italy, Zambia, Nepal, Kosovo, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Albania , Canada, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mali, Romania and beyond.

As a testament to his commitment to advancing scholarly discourse, Dr. Oni serves as the editor of approximately 12 academic journals, both in Nigeria and overseas, further solidifying his role as a catalyst for intellectual growth and global collaboration. He is a prominent figure in African Asian Dialogue on Education Network at Hiroshima University, Japan. He is currently the Head of Department of Educational Foundations, Faculty of Education, University of Lagos, Nigeria.

Prof Oni has served and still serving as external examiner to universities like: University of Ilorin Nigeria, University of Jos Nigeria, University of Port Harcourt Nigeria, University of Benin Nigeria, Usmanu Dan Fodyio University, Sokoto, Nigeria, Shehu Shagari University of Education, Sokoto, Lagos State University of Education, Lagos, Nigeria, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Nigeria University of Cape Coast, Ghana, University for development Studies, Ghana, University of With Waterstarnd South Africa, University of Fort Hare, South Africa, University of Zimbabwe, Makerere University Uganda, where he has served as PhD examiner and Promotion assessor.

Oni's extensive travels have taken him to countries across all seven continents of the world. Beyond his academic pursuits, he finds joy in a happy marriage and is blessed with three loving children.