Olanike Kudirat Adeyemo

Olanike Kudirat Adeyemo (17 July 1970, Ibadan, Nigeria) is a Nigerian professor of veterinary public health and preventive medicine at the University of Ibadan. She is the current Deputy Vice Chancellor of research, innovation and strategic partnership, the first person to attain the role at the university and the first woman in the field of aquatic veterinary medicine in Nigeria.

Prof. Olanike Kudirat Adeyemo

Quotes

• Veterinary medicine has an increasingly important role to play in addressing the global challenges of the 21st century based on our societal contributions to Animal Welfare, Biomedical Research, Animal Health, Production, and Conservation of Species, as well as Safeguarding the Health of Humans. Worldwide the profession is facing challenges in maintaining the economic sustainability of veterinary education and practice, evolving veterinary service to meet changing societal needs; in addition, the populace, policymakers, and even medical professionals are frequently unaware of how veterinary medicine fundamentally supports both animal and human health.
  • [1] Prof. Olanike Adeyemo's discourse on veterinary medicine is crucial for addressing the global challenges f the 21st century.
  • Delivered at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the university, which was organized by the Veterinary Council of Nigeria, in collaboration with the University of Ibadan on Monday, October 24, 2022.

• Women in science do seem to find it difficult to be recognised and achieve academic excellence. This is particularly true in sub-Saharan Africa, due to cultural limitations and bias. Within the Nigerian environment marriage, parenthood and other gender-assigned roles – such as primary caregivers for the elderly – take precedence over career and education.
  • [2] Prof. Olanike Adeyemo on the barriers against female scientists in Nigeria.

• Women are also confronted with challenges common to all researchers. These include poor infrastructure, access to cutting-edge research tools and funding to carry out research. Additionally, early career female researchers don’t have many female role models for motivation and mentorship.
  • [3] Prof. Olanike Adeyemo in an interview with an online magazine, The Conversation, April 1, 2020.

• “Science happened to me, but passion is what has kept my love for science burning”.
  • [4] Prof. Olanike Adeyemo describing her journey to sciences.

• No country will help you to develop your own country. If you are getting a research grant, it must be one that favours the country funding it. For us to solve our environmental and health issues, research must be funded by Nigeria. Most of the funds we get are from outside the country but they determine what they want you to research on. They are tied to conditions. Most of them will not solve the basic needs of Nigeria. Only Nigerians can help Nigeria achieve greater development.
  • [5] Prof. Olanike Adeyemo in an interview with The Punch on how far Nigeria has explored the veterinary field for development. June 10, 2017.

• There is the need to explore the field more and sponsor research on epidemiological study. We need to know why more people are dying of renal failure, liver cancer and kidney problems when they do not indulge in attitude or have conditions that expose them to the diseases.
  • [6] Buttressing the need to explore the veterinary field and more research sponsorship in her interview with The Punch, June 10, 2017.