Top Nigerian Professor, Olajire Dies Suddenly At 59

A professor of Industrial/Environmental Chemistry at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Ogbomoso, Abass Olajire has reportedly slumped and died on Friday, 17th September.

According to reports, Olajire 59, was said to have died while observing Juma’at prayers.

The academic don would be buried in Ibadan on Saturday, according to Islamic rites.

LAUTECH’s Public Relations Officer, Lekan Fadeyi, confirmed the professor’s death to The PUNCH.

Fadeyi said, “The University Management is devastated at the sudden death of Abass Abiola Olajire, a renowned researcher and erudite Professor of Industrial/Environmental Chemistry, whose research interest was in Petroleum Chemistry and Green synthesis of Nanoparticles/Application.

“Acting Vice-Chancellor, LAUTECH, Professor Mojeed Olaide Liasu, who became perplexed at the receipt of the sad news, said Professor Abass was a shining star in the institution, and described his passage as a big blow.

“He prayed Almighty Allah to overlook his transgressions and forgive his sins, preparatory to granting him a space in Aljanah Firdaous.”

Before death, Olajire was ranked 128th of 66,925 of the top scientists in the world.

He was also recently listed among the top scholars in the world, according to a ranking released by Elsevier B. V (Netherlands) and a team of researchers led by Prof. John P.A. loannidis from Stanford University, United States.