Adekunle Akanni Adeleke

Biography

Engr. Prof. Adekunle Akanni Adeleke is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, distinguished researcher, inventor, consultant, and academic leader. He currently serves as Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Nile University of Nigeria, within the Honoris United Universities Network.

He obtained his B.Eng., M.Eng. (Distinction), and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the prestigious University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria, where he built a strong foundation in materials engineering, and sustainable energy systems. Prof. Adeleke is widely recognised for advancing research in sustainable energy systems, advanced materials development, waste valorisation, circular economy technologies, and industrial process optimisation. His work strategically integrates engineering research with industry application and national development priorities.

He serves as a consultant to energy companies and as a technical adviser to the Nigeria Lower Chamber Committee on Steel, providing expert guidance on steel development, industrial sustainability, and energy transition strategies. An internationally respected scholar, he serves as External Examiner for PhD and MSc theses both locally and internationally, contributing to postgraduate quality assurance and academic standards across institutions.

Prof. Adeleke is a highly sought-after Keynote and Plenary Speaker, delivering lectures at major national and international conferences on energy transition, research productivity systems, innovation ecosystems, and engineering-driven economic transformation. As Lead Mentor of the Research and Research Writing Mentorship Programme, he has developed a structured, process-driven model for building globally competitive researchers. He leads the award-winning Waste to Wealth Research Group (W2W), named Best Research Initiative across the 16-member Honoris Network (2023 & 2025).

He has published over 250 peer-reviewed articles, attracting more than 3,500 citations (h-index: 32; i10-index: 79), and has been consistently ranked among Nigeria’s Top 25 Researchers (SciVal). He is also recognised among the Top 2% Scientists globally 9 (Scival and Standford), reflecting the international reach and influence of his scholarship.

A TWAS–CSIR Doctoral Fellow with research experience in Jamshedpur, India, he has secured multiple competitive grants from TWAS, CSIR, and UK collaborative research initiatives. He holds six (6) patents, demonstrating his commitment to translational research and industry-relevant innovation.

He has successfully supervised ten 9(10) PhD graduates and continues to mentor emerging scholars through structured academic development systems. Prof. Adeleke is the author of The Process Book, Volume I and II. He serves as editor and reviewer for leading international journals published by Elsevier, Springer, Taylor & Francis, and Wiley.

Through scholarship, policy engagement, industry consultancy, and mentorship, Engr. Prof. Adekunle Akanni Adeleke exemplifies research with purpose, bridging academia, industry, and national development while shaping globally relevant scholarship.

Awards