Name: Odu Babajide Olugbeminiyi
Qualifications: B. Agric., M. Sc., Ph.D
Status: Professor
Specialization: Plant Pathology/Virology
Email: bodu@oauife.edu.ng
Telephone: +2348033608495
Professor Babajide O. Odu obtained a B. Agric. (Plant Science) degree of Obafemi Awolowo University in 1992; M.Sc. Botany (Plant Pathology) 1998 and Ph.D. Botany (Virology) 2002 Degrees of University of Ibadan. He also obtained a Postgraduate Certificate in Biotechnology from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel in 2009. He was awarded the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture Graduate Student Research Fellowship for M.Sc. in 1995 and Gatsby Charitable Foundation Fellowship (GCF), United Kingdom for Ph.D. in 1998. Prof. Odu has attended many conferences and workshops in Agriculture and Biotechnology within and outside Nigeria.
Prof. Odu has a total thirty-three (33) publications reputable peer-reviewed journal outlets and Several Creative works including Coat protein (CP)-specific sequences of several viruses deposits in the GenBanks.
Prof. Odu has contributed and continues to contribute towards the development of the Department of Crop Production and Protection and Faculty of Agriculture. He continues to acquire relevant experience in teaching, research and services. His current research activities include: Isolation and identification of viruses infecting some medicinal plants; identification of alternate hosts of viruses infecting yams and identification, molecular and biological characterization of viruses infecting fruit crops in Nigeria.
Prof. Odu was a Research Scientist (Germplasm Health Scientist) at International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), a member of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) of the United Nations from 2002 – 2008. He was instrumental to the Safe Germplasm of different crops at the Global Seed Vault (World Genebank) in Svalbard, Norway.
Prof. Odu joined the Department of Crop Production and Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, OAU in 2008. He has served the University at different levels, Member of Postgraduate Committee from 2010 to 2016; Chairman, Faculty Postgraduate Committee, 2019 – 2022; Member, OAU 60th Anniversary Committee, 2021. He is the current Director of University Research Office, OAU.
Prof. Odu makes useful and innovative contributions in all the Committees where he had served. In addition, he has served with dedication and a great sense of responsibility. He is always willing to carry out any assignments given him with great enthusiasm.