"I trekked to school barefooted from Primary 1 to JSS 3" --- Dr, Adeola Kiadese, Provost, Tai Solarin College of Eduction

Dr. Adeola Kiadese is a consummate educator and administrator par excellence with over 15 years of meritorious service, which includes intensive work in the academic sub-fields of research and teaching, particularly at the tertiary level, combined with oversight function in administrative capacities. 

After successfully completing his NCE programme with Distinction Classification from Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, Kwara state, he proceeded to Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State for his Bachelor’s degree programme and came out with flying colours as a 2-session University scholar and best graduating student in the Faculty of Education, amongst other numerous academic awards/prizes. 

He also obtained a Master’s degree from University of Benin, Benin City, Edo state and a PhD in Vocational Education from Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka, Anambra State.

Reading those accolades, one may be faked into believing that this esteemed Educationist was born with a silver-spoon in his mouth – but here lies the real deal of this amiable man with a humble background.

Born in one of the dangerous slums and rejected sessions of Lagos State in the 70s, he was determined from childhood to carve a different and influential niche for himself. He had his primary and secondary schools certificate in Bishop Oluwole Memorial Primary School and Sonmori Comprehensive High School respectively, showcasing his academic excellence which was the only asset emanating from a boy that was never given a chance in life.

Dr. Adeola’s parents were illiterates and extremely poor – and that was the more reason why he had to trek to school barefooted from Primary 1 to JSS 3; covering a distance of about 5km daily. His parents, though wonderful moralists, neither pushed him to study nor encouraged him to follow an education path – but he, on his own, capitalised on his only visible assets that God wouldn’t have given him such prowess for nothing.

The only time he remembered buying new wears was during the Ileya festivals (Eid-el-Kabir periods) and he recollected that his mother used to taunt him, saying, “A single chicken farmer, kill it! Let’s see what you will wear if it tears.”

After his senior secondary school certificate, he opted for education as a career and that has paid-off a great dividend in his life, giving him lofty academic qualifications and numerous academic and professional strings such as membership of Curriculum Organization of Nigeria, Association of Business Educators of Nigeria etc.

 

To Dr. Adeola Kiadese, paying school fees was always a tussle. After his first year at the Ogun State University, he gained the university scholarship that covered his tuition, books, stationeries and other sundry allowances – and that was the beginning of his exploration into the world of greatness. At the end of his sojourn at the university, he came out with First Class Honour and was retained as Lecturer II.

From then to this moment, he has benefited from a repertoire of career-defining and skill-refining conferences and workshops in Germany, France, The Netherlands, Spain, South Africa, Brunei, Ghana and locally.

Kiadese is well-sought after in his field, contributing over 50 research publications to the body of knowledge in reputable University and peer-reviewed journals, both locally and internationally; he has also continued to extend the frontiers of knowledge and deepen the depth of scholarship by continually participating in activities that seek to promote access to Universal Basic Education, a foundation for advanced and Specialized learning.

Dr. Kiadese Adeola who has been Head of Department in a degree-awarding Federal College of Education,   National   Project   Coordinator   at   the   Nigerian   Educational   Research   and Development   Council,   Senior   Lecturer   and   Head of Business Education Unit, Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria was at a time in his life (in his school days) had a dream of becoming a college provost; and that dream was realised when the Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun announced his name as Provost, Tai Solarin College of Education in 2016.

In addition to his educational feats, he was also at a time the Vice-Chairman of Ifo LGA and Executive Secretary of the same LGC for about five years on the stretch.

This man of experience, enjoys his works, loves his family and sometimes unwinds by reading and solving complex problems.