OAU academic attains professorship at 39

An  accomplished computer engineer, academic and entrepreneur, Dr Segun Aina, has been appointed Professor of Computer Engineering at the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, becoming one of the youngest professors in his field in Nigeria at just 39.

 Aina’s elevation is a testament to his outstanding academic contributions, impactful research, and unwavering commitment to bridging theory and practice within Nigeria’s education and technology ecosystem.

He currently serves in the Computer Engineering Department at OAU, where he also holds several departmental and faculty responsibility.

A distinguished scholar, Aina obtained his Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of Kent, United Kingdom, in 2008, followed by a Master of Science (MSc) in Internet Computing and Network Security from the highly ranked Loughborough University in 2009. He later earned his Doctorate (PhD) in Digital Signal Processing, also from Loughborough University.

Prof. Aina said: “This milestone is a humbling reminder that excellence, discipline and purpose-driven work can accelerate impact. I see this professorship not as a destination, but as a renewed responsibility to contribute more meaningfully to academia, industry and national development.”

Beyond academia, he has built a reputation as a pragmatic academic and serial entrepreneur, committed to translating research into real-world solutions. In 2010, he co-founded Fluid Click Solutions Ltd, an IT services and engineering project management company. His business interests span EduTech, Agriculture, Hospitality, Capacity Building, and Technical & Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

He noted that his lifelong commitment has been to ensure that academic knowledge does not exist in isolation, but actively solves real problems.

Aina said he remains passionate about mentoring the next generation of engineers, innovators and entrepreneurs who will shape Africa’s future.

A COREN-registered engineer, he  is an active member of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS), Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

He has served in key governance and advisory roles, including as a member of the pioneer Governing Council of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere, Ekiti, and as Chairman of the Advisory Board of Queensland Academy, Isolo, Lagos.

Source: The Nation